A bubble gum feel-good story, very addicting. I for my part could have done without the point of view of Kimberley, and just I loathed Charlie, but it was a fun read overall. While a few decisions/actions during the middle part seemed very convenient, and I would have liked an even nastier payback for the main b**ch character, the ending was really on point. A fast fun read.

Thank you, NetGalley and HarperCollins, for the chance to read an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I absolutely loved this book and was completely captivated by the end of the first chapter, This is a book packed with secrets and lies and I was continuously wondering what characters I could trust. It’s told in two time lines , 17 years ago and present time. Often with dual time lines it can be a bit confusing but I found this one easy to follow and both time lines were quite tense at times. Yet again Catherine Cooper has written a book that I couldn’t put down until the final sentence and I wholeheartedly recommend this book to readers who enjoy books filled with mystery and suspense.

have been a huge fan of Catherine Cooper’s books ever since her first book, The Chalet - she certainly knows how to write a page turning thriller, and her latest, The Penthouse, is no exception.

In 2008, Enola, lead singer of hugely successful girl band Breathe, originally formed thanks to a reality tv show, mysteriously disappears. Fifteen years later, the two remaining band members of Breathe reunite and team up with male pop duo This Way Up to perform in Las Vegas - but they are soon beset with a host of unfortunate events. Unlucky …… or something more sinister at play?

Moving between the two timelines, and told from multiple points of view, we begin to learn more about Enola and events leading up to her disappearance, as well as who is involved in the current day drama as the bands prepare to perform.

As someone of a certain age, this felt very reminiscent of the Pop Idol/X Factor era, and the pressures of instant fame - it certainly made you think about the way in which young people were thrust into the spotlight and managed by those in the industry. And it does make for some pretty unlikeable characters!

With short chapters that keep you turning the pages, and a plot that keeps you guessing as the surprising truth is unfolded, it’s another thoroughly entertaining read - and perfect for packing in your suitcase this summer.

I always enjoy Catherine Cooper's books, so was excited to see and read this one.

Maybe it's the theme, but I really didn't enjoy it. The book was well written but I'm not fan of this type of story and the characters all seemed very hollow, up themselves and unlikable, storyline fine, but not to my taste but I'm sure others will enjoy it.

Flits between two different timelines and so many characters points of view, sometimes tricky to remember who's turn it is and a bit repetitive at times.

I was however keen to finish and see if it went the way I thought. Its a fairly quick read but missed the mark at bit for me. However looking forward to Catherine Cooper's next book and hope its more of the Chalet or the Chateau.

2.5 rounded up to a 3

Catherine Cooper books can be relied upon to be twisty, unexpected - and lots of fun. This one is absolutely all those things,

This book focuses on the intertwined stories of an early noughties girl band and a boy band. Both were discovered on a talent show and their fates seem ever-linked - from the early days of auditions to tours, romances, less-savoury happenings and then, 20 years later, a farewell concert. The story is told from the perspectives of the different band members and other key characters, with the time line shifting between the noughties heyday and the reunion/farewell concert.

For anyone who grew up watching X Factor, Popstars or The Voice, there will be a lot that's familiar here: the drama of the auditions, the bands created from the most talented ones from other groups, the greedy managers and the relentless money-making from these young stars. It's an interesting look at the industry, especially when we see the same people years later and the damage that fame has done as they've mostly drifted back into obscurity.

Of course, it wouldn't be a Catherine Cooper book without a great mystery, bucketloads of secrets surfacing and the questions over people's versions of the truth. In this case, the mystery surrounds the disappearance of the girl band's lead singer, Enola - and the way that the events of the final days before she vanished. It's not clear what happened to her - but, as the reunion gathers pace, it seems that everyone has things they're hiding, from Enola's jealous ex (Max) to her bandmates who had their sights on taking the lead in the group.

This is a fun, easy read and will keep you guessing until the end - I'd recommend it.

I thought I would enjoy this one as I am a sucker for boy bands (and some girl bands). However, this one missed the mark for me. For me, it wasn't as interesting as the blurb suggested. I know the point of this kind of book is to have unlikeable characters but I always find at least one I like and it wasn't the case. It felt like a fanfiction of The X Factor for me.

I have read all of Catherine Cooper novels and have enjoyed them all.
This is again a well written suspenseful mystery, a world wide famous singer disappears, leaving her band in tatters. 15 years later the reform for a set of concerts but things don’t go as expected….
A long game of revenge and hidden secrets, told from multiple POV’s slowly unravelling the story for 2008 and present day.

The book is told in 2 timelines – back in the early 2000s when there’s been an X Factor / Pop Idol type competition with a girl band (Breathe) and boy band (This Way Up) and they become entwined. Then Enola suddenly goes missing and no one knows what has happened to her. Then there’s a current timeline when the 2 remaining members of the bands are doing a money spinning come back show in Vegas which appears to be cursed. There were characters throughout the book that you could imagine being real (a Simon Cowell style manager for example).

As well as being told by the band members – you also have the points of view of other supporting characters such as Enola’s Mum (who lived out her fame hungry ways through her daughter) and an obsessive Enola fan.

There are lots of twists and turns – as you’d expect from a Catherine Cooper book – and it’s not immediately obvious why the book is called The Penthouse in the first place!

I have to say I devoured the book in one day whilst ‘holding the bags’ at Alton Towers, and the short chapters were perfect for picking up and putting down whilst walking between rides.

It came out yesterday, so if you like the sound of it you can have it right away! Thank you to the publishers and Net Galley for my ARC.

Having enjoyed previous books by this author I was looking forward to this.

An easy read following two bands on a reunion tour, following split timelines with a mystery narrator, it was a well-rounded story that gave me 'Popstars - The Rivals' vibes!

Book Review: The Penthouse by Catherine Cooper
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ (3/5)

The Penthouse has all the ingredients of a glossy, binge-worthy thriller—glamour, secrets, a mysterious disappearance, and a glittering Las Vegas backdrop—but for me, it didn’t quite live up to its potential.

The premise is compelling: a famous pop star vanishes from her luxury penthouse without a trace, and fifteen years later, her former bandmates reunite under a cloud of suspicion and eerie accidents. There’s an Agatha Christie-meets-Vegas vibe that had definite promise, and Catherine Cooper certainly knows how to build a mood of intrigue and unease.

That said, I found the characters hard to connect with. Most felt more like types than people, and I struggled to feel invested in their fates. The plot twists were there, but some felt forced or overly dramatic rather than genuinely shocking. I wanted to be gripped, but often found myself skimming through scenes that should have had me on the edge of my seat.

Still, Cooper’s writing is slick and atmospheric, and fans of her previous books may enjoy the mix of glitz and suspense. It wasn’t a total miss for me—just not a favorite.

Verdict: The Penthouse is a fast-paced, twisty thriller with a glamorous edge, but ultimately felt more style than substance. Worth a read if you’re in the mood for something light and dramatic, but it left me wanting more depth and connection.

Enola, pushed by her mother, Kimberley, finds herself on a talent show.. Chosen to be part of a group, she gains fame, fortune, a famous boyfriend and a stunning penthouse but loses her best friend, her twin and her freedom. When she vanishes without a trace no-one knows if she is dead or in hiding and the band folds without her.
When the remaining members get together for a reunion 15 years later, they are met with a series of accidents which point to someone out for revenge. As the story unfolds, the mystery unravels. and all is not as it seems.

I loved the cultural references in this book - if you loved The X Factor, you will love this as it explores the darker side of TV talent shows.

I really struggled to connect with this book, I found the plot to be dull and the characters unlikeable. I am also not sure why this is called 'The Penthouse'. Yes a penthouse does feature and becomes important but for a large portion of this book it does not feature, I do feel a better title could have been found.
Back to the plot and I enjoyed the dual timeline aspect as it meant I knew something in the past was impacting the present and I liked being able to slowly connect the dots on this. I did find some aspects of the plot to be obvious, however having said this, I thoroughly enjoyed the twist that comes towards the end of the plot and this provided some much needed excitement and thrills.
Sadly, the characters are my main area of dislike with this book, they are just so unlikeable and I could not connect or care about any of them. Whilst I recognise this is the point and ties in with the plot, I do feel something was needed to make the reader like at least one person.
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK for an advance copy.

This was a bit different so I enjoyed it! Lots of twists, lots of hideous characters who were all very selfish. Surprised by the ending too!

Fifteen years after Enola, the world famous lead singer of the band Breathe disappeared, the remaining band members reunite for concerts in Las Vegas. Things are about to get messy!

What I love about a Catherine Cooper book is that you know exactly what you’re getting… a well written, fast paced and suspenseful thriller with lots of unlikeable characters. Despite flitting between timelines and multiple characters, this book was an easy read and kept me turning the pages late into the night. With twists and turns in every chapter, I was fully invested in finding out what had happened to Enola. I predict this book will be read on a lot of sun loungers this summer - it’s a perfect holiday read.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction for an eARC of The Penthouse.

I have read a few of this author's books, and I think this one is her best to date. For me, she really captured the toxic world of the media, rising stars, and so many other things that I won't mention for fear of spoiling the book for others.

Think of an "X Factor" style of TV show. A pair come on to audition, one is selected and the other isn't. This is what happens to Enola. She was selected, even though she wasn't that bothered about auditioning; she did it for her friend. Fast forward to after the show has ended. Enola is given a chance to join a new girl band called Breathe, and they make an impact on the music world. They join with the already established boy band. Together they make music, sell papers, pictures and all that comes with being a star.

With the success of the band, Enola is able to buy a penthouse flat. Luxury and opulent, but when the after-award-ceremony party finishes, Enola is not to be found. No one knows why she has left, her passport gone, no sign of her for 2 decades. A tribute show is arranged, is this to finally lay the memory of Enola to rest, or will she suddenly appear out of the woodwork?


Jealousy is a huge vibe through this story and from so many characters, some I sort of expected but others... well, I will let you discover that for yourself! But, to be fair, when you look at how celebrities are often portrayed or act, this is an understandable, if not very desirable, trait. The author does use it to great effect within this story.

I enjoyed the flitting back and forth between the main characters and an unknown one. These go back and forth in time as the author gives different perspectives, thoughts, opinions and how events play out. There is a threat, and this becomes more and more obvious as the reunion tour starts.

In a world where egos are as big as the billboards and record sales, there is going to be some strain in the professional relationship, and the author manages to portray this through the story. This is something that occurs throughout the story, after all, where there is jealousy, then its friend's ego is sure to be in close company.

The story was an amazing read, I liked how the author charts the life before and during the life in a band as well as the experiences from fellow bandmates, family and others. The timeline does flit, but it is easy to understand the dynamics between the characters changing and opinions dividing.

I thoroughly enjoyed this one, it is very engaging, quite complex as I think about it now, writing this review, but it didn't feel so at the time. A mix of mystery, suspense, crime and thriller that would appeal to many readers, and one I would definitely recommend.

As always Catherine Cooper manages to keep me hooked as the book had great twist and turns and a compelling mystery.

This is a good read but can be a bit confusing at times, due to the changing timelines.
The book is about two bands - an all girl group and an all boy group, and we see them at their peak and at a reunion many years later.
One of the girls goes missing at the peak of her career, and things never really recover.
I was keen to find out what really happened to Enola but it took a while to get there.
Overall, this is a good read though.
Thanks to Harper Collins UK for the opportunity to read this book.

This really missed the mark for me. The writing was boring and also felt unedited and very repetitive in parts, I couldn’t stand any of the characters, and the plot twist was predictable. I didn’t enjoy a vast majority of my time reading this and struggled to finish it, which was a real shame because the premise sounded interesting!

3.25*

You know what you're getting with a Catherine Cooper and I always enjoy delving into her books. I truly enjoy the split timelines that build the story to get us to the present where mysteries and secrets begin to come to light. With 'The Penthouse' we're in the world of pop, reality TV and reunion shows - be still my millennial heart! I was really bought into the story and spent the whole time trying to work out what happened to 2000s girl group singer Elodie after her mysterious disappearance.

I really enjoyed the build up of the story - the potentials for what may have happened and why things were going wrong in the modern timeline, up until the final quarter and the ending just absolutely bombed for me.

I was truly disappointed that this one felt like it just didn't stick the landing and felt like it just ended suddenly and with no real sense of satisfaction for me as a reader.

Despite the ending, I enjoyed the rest of it, I was genuinely surprised at the unveiling of the who, why and how and realised afterwards that my theories were as crazy as the delusional fans on the fanboards in the story!

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction for a digital review copy of "The Penthouse" in exchange for my honest and voluntary review.

Is it appropriate to say that a thriller involving a missing pop star is fun? I don’t know, but that was the first adjective that popped into my head. “The Penthouse” was an entertaining read that kept me guessing all the way through, and came to a satisfying conclusion. Once I hit the 70% mark, I coukdn’t stop reading until I knew exactly how everything had happened.

I didn’t give it five stars for a few reasons. The timeline hopping made it hard to follow at times. The characters were two-dimensional. I really didn’t connect with any of them. And, sometimes the build-up to a big event in the book would happen, but the reader wouldn’t get to experience that event. It would simplify be alluded to in one of the following chapters.

Despite these issues, I still enjoyed the book and plan on reading more of Cooper’s thrillers.