Jo and Yash have three beautiful, innocent children and they are on holiday with their friends Paul and Lydia and their two daughters. One night, their dream holiday turns into a nightmare when one of the children goes missing from bed. Who took the child and why?! Secrets start to surface.

+ gripping and intriguing

The storyline hooked me from the beginning. The main characters secrets are slowly and briefly hinted upon, deliberately creating a sense of anxiousness and despair in the reader. Short sentences emphasise the panic of a mother who can't find her child. Jo's fear of being watched all the time, the constant reminder that her husband might be having an affair, lying and her own insecurities surfacing are clearly projected in the descriptive language used within the book.
The story jumps from time to time to different location and timelines so the reader has to pay attention but the chapters are clearly labelled and there's no way someone would not be able to keep up. For instance, there's a great deal of events that occurred before the disappearance of Ajit, new characters - potential suspects introduced just at the right moment to hold the readers attention.

I found this a bit slow going for the first few chapters but then it picked up. The characters were not particularly likeable and it was a bit too similar to the Madeline McCann case for my liking. Although an ok read I wanted to like it more than I did. Sorry just wasn’t for me.

The premise of “Two Perfect Couples” had all the makings of a gripping story—entangled relationships, hidden truths, and the promise of secrets unraveling against a beautiful backdrop. Renita D'Silva delivers a character-driven narrative that leans into emotional depth and slow reveals.

The setting is evocative and beautifully described, adding a lush, immersive quality to the story. Readers who enjoy a slow-burn novel that takes its time developing its characters and dynamics will likely appreciate the measured pace.

That said, while the character focus is strong, the story just moved a little too slowly for me. I kept hoping it would pick up. The potential was definitely there, but in the end, it didn’t quite win me over. Still, if you’re into slower, introspective reads with great atmosphere, this could be your kind of book.

Thank you NetGalley and the Publisher for this eARC opportunity. All opinions, of course, are my own.

The premise of Two Perfect Couples initially drew me in—two families vacationing at a secluded beach resort, only for their idyllic getaway to spiral into chaos when a child goes missing (reminded me of the Madeleine McCann case). With secrets, lies, and hidden tensions bubbling just beneath the surface, it had all the ingredients for a gripping domestic thriller.

Unfortunately, the execution fell a bit flat for me. The pacing felt sluggish, midway through, where I found myself skimming more than staying fully engaged. While the escalating drama between the adults had potential, I struggled to connect with any of the characters emotionally, which made it harder to feel invested in the outcome. Additionally, the central mystery didn’t quite deliver the suspense I was hoping for—I was not surprised/shocked by the reveal. I think it's from reading so many thrillers the last two years.

That said, the unraveling of secrets and the shifting dynamics between the four adults did add some intrigue, particularly as the lines between truth and deception began to blur. It’s a story that explores how fragile relationships can quickly fracture under pressure.

Although this wasn't a 4 or 5 star for me, it could very well be for others who enjoy slower-paced, character-driven thrillers.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

I thought the premise of Two Perfect Couples sounded promising. However, it just didn't hit the mark for me. I found it to be on the slower side. I found myself skimming a good chunk in the middle. I found it hard to connect with any of the characters and it wasn't too hard to predict who the culprit actually was. Not my favorite read of the year.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

Two couples take their kids on a vacation to a beach cottage in India. The first night, in between parental checks, a kid goes missing. An investigation starts and the couples secrets and hidden grudges are exposed. As the story unfolds you question which narrator you should believe. This book was well written however I struggled with the pacing of the story and the fact that it started out very much like the Madeleine McCann story.

I struggled to get into this book but it was well worth it in the end. A few chapters in and I was gripped. Characters I could connect with, lots of plot twists or should I call them Total bombs, and a great ending

This story started off very similar to the Madeleine McCann disappearance and for that reason I was very intrigued and excited to read this.

The story was enjoyable and the few twists within were great. I had some issues in the first half with the pacing, some repeated sentences, and not caring about many of the characters. Just wanting to know what happened to Ajit was the motivation to keep reading.

If you are a fan of thriller books with some fun twists, I think you will like this one. I just struggled slightly with the pacing and the writing style.

I was given an advanced copy from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

Wow, I was hooked from the very first page! This book is packed with twists, secrets, and red herrings that kept me guessing the whole time. The writing is really sharp and multilayered definitely one I couldn’t put down.

The story follows two groups of friends who barely know each other, but when Jo and her husband’s son is mysteriously taken during their holiday, everything spirals out of control. Secrets come pouring out, and you’re left wondering who’s telling the truth and who will get hurt.

Big thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for letting me read this. If you love dark, twisting thrillers, this one’s for you I’ll definitely be recommending it!

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for an ARC of Two Perfect Couples.

The premise was really interesting with the shocking dynamics between the two title couples and I enjoyed the fast pace of the story. But, the inner dialogue was just too much for me. the self hate, the many twists that seemed just too out there, made me give this book only 3 stars. I did really enjoy the suprise ending, I didn't see that coming!
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‘Two perfect couples’ is a psychological thriller set in a dream holiday in an Indian beach resort for 2 British couples.

All is going well, until one of the couples has a child mysteriously disappear from their accommodation when they are drinking outside.

While the local police investigate with a view to find the missing child, relations quickly deteriorate between these 4 adults as we discover a whole myriad of secrets and lies that come to the surface!

I found this book to be well written, the plot was enjoyable and the characters I found easy to visualise and relate to. Great ending! Definitely a novel I would highly recommend.

My thanks to NetGalley, author and publisher for the opportunity to review this book in exchange for an advance copy.

A emotionally rich story about love, secrets, and betrayal. The story is compelling enough, but the pacing is slow at times, very repetitive, and some twists feel predictable. An okay read, it doesn’t fully deliver on its promise, for me.

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for sending this book for review consideration.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review of Two Perfect Couples. Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher, Bookouture, for this opportunity.

Two Perfect Couples is a compelling and emotionally charged thriller that taps into every parent’s worst nightmare—a missing child. Renita D’Silva masterfully weaves a twisty, suspenseful narrative that not only keeps you guessing but also tugs at your heart.

One of the most gripping aspects of the story is the uncertainty around who, if anyone, can truly be trusted. As the characters’ lives intertwine and the truth begins to unravel, I found myself constantly questioning the reliability of the narrator—which only added to the tension.

D’Silva’s writing is evocative and immersive, and she does a brilliant job of balancing emotional depth with taut suspense. Just when I thought I had figured out where the story was going, the plot shifted in an unexpected direction. The ending, in particular, took me by surprise and left a lasting impression.

If you're a fan of psychological thrillers with strong emotional undercurrents and unpredictable twists, Two Perfect Couples should be at the top of your reading list. It’s a haunting, thought-provoking read that lingers long after the final page.

Wow this is a dark tale full of lies and secrets and two groups of friends who don’t really know each other at all. We meet Jo and her husband who are holidaying when the unthinkable happens, their son is taken from their holiday cottage during the night. As accusations fly and dark buried secrets come spilling out their lives will never be the same and will they ever see their precious boy again. This is a perfect edge of your seat thriller that will remind you to hold your family close at all times. Trust no one!

Review of ‘Two Perfect Couples’ by Renita D’Silva, due to be published on 7 August 2025 by Bookouture.

Two couples and their children arrive in Goa for a much anticipated and needed holiday of a lifetime, staying in an idyllic cottage surrounded by sun and sea.

All is well until the second night of the holiday, when the adults go down to the beach hut leaving the children asleep in the cottage, being watched over by the oldest girl. When Jo, the character central to the story, goes to check in the children, she finds her youngest son, Ajit, is missing and a window wide open outside his room.

When the police arrive, so do the media, and accusations, recriminations, secrets and lies bubble to the surface - leaving the two families torn apart.

A fast paced thriller, full of suspense and twists and a few really unlikeable characters!

Recommended read.

Arc Review. Thank you NetGalley & Renita D’Silva!

If you’re a Freida, Riley Sager & lover of page turner thrillers that will literally have you read a book in a day? Here. It. Is.

This falls into my favorite kind of books where right off the jump you’re in action and I love that. Instantly grabs your attention and the race was on. You could feel the desperation and anxiety in the first 30 pages and it only builds from there.

The mind numbing reality bending of what is real what isn’t and who to believe.

Plus one of the twists early on I was GAGGED. You’re focused on so many things only to be plummeted into the universe of something else. Have to give a bravo to that, because it’s mind bending.

Don’t expect to be able to catch your breath. I had anxiety and anticipation in my chest every other page. It isn’t not easy to invoke such feelings by words on a page but this morphed into a cinema in my head and I needed to smoke my American spirit.

The main character being made to feel and seem absolutely crazy because of her past with mental health struggles, but then at times, it isn’t always as it seems.

Now there are some very far fetched unrealistic scenarios in this book, but it’s a fiction thriller and most all of them do. It’s what makes it fun. There’s also a lot of real things in here regarding mental health

When I tell you I couldn’t stop reading, and my anxiety was so high with suspense I felt like I was being hunted for sport I’m not being dramatic 😭

There is not just one two three or four plots and twists.

This author & book is going to pave a trending path on booktok I just know it.

GREAT DAMN JOB. ALSO DO I SMELL A SEQUEL???????

*lights a cigarette and stares off into the abyss*

Witch approved 🪄 Ding

For the book cover, I truly believe you should do a dark, foggy atmospheric beach house cover. I feel it will envelop more what this story is about, and for us who are drawn to that, aesthetically will be picked up more!

Goodreads- https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/234143086

This book follows the lives of two couples who seem to have it all, but as the story unfolds, you realize there’s a lot going on beneath the surface. The characters feel real, and their struggles are honest and relatable. It’s one of those books that pulls you in and makes you think about the masks people wear. A great read if you enjoy emotional stories with lots of depth.

Two couples go on holiday together with their children to a secluded beach cottage in India.
One the first evening while they are partying on the beach leaving their children to be looked after by their fourteen year old daughter, the other couples five year old child goes missing.
What follows is an investigation that shows all of the adults have been keeping secrets and holding grudges.
A slow moving story with multiple timelines.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookoture for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

This book is a really excellent read. I was hooked from the start, it’s so multilayered and well written that I couldn’t put it down. I love red herrings and secrets and this book had them in spades. Would definitely recommend it!

I’ve already read several books by this author, and the least you can say about her is that she truly knows how to bring a story to life. Her descriptions and details are so vivid that you can see everything unfold before your eyes, which also means you can feel the emotions perfectly.

We follow two couples and their children as they head off on vacation. These are people who know and trust each other completely. They’re looking forward to this well-deserved trip and plan to fully enjoy it.

Then something happens that shakes everyone to their core, leaving them completely devastated. Fortunately, they can lean on one another during these dark moments. But is that really the case? Do they truly know each other that well, and is that trust actually justified?

For me personally, this is the best book I’ve read by this author so far. The story is masterfully structured, and just when you think you’ve figured it all out, she manages to plant seeds of doubt, forcing you to reset and rethink everything from the beginning.

The emotions flow right off the pages, and it didn’t take long before I reached for a tissue.

Some people can’t keep a secret for two minutes. Others have no trouble hiding something for years.

And then comes the ending… Will the author leave it at that, or will she treat us to a sequel? I wouldn’t mind finding out how everything continues.

I never once doubted giving this book 5 stars. For me, this is a masterpiece in its genre.

Thank you.