Category Archives: Sarah Pekkanen

Review: The Golden Couple by Greer Hendricks & Sarah Pekkanen

Title: The Golden Couple by Greer Hendricks & Sarah Pekkanen
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Genre: Contemporary, Domestic Mystery, Suspense
Length: 329 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

The next electrifying novel from the #1 New York Times bestselling author duo behind The Wife Between Us.

Wealthy Washington suburbanites Marissa and Matthew Bishop seem to have it all—until Marissa is unfaithful. Beneath their veneer of perfection is a relationship riven by work and a lack of intimacy. She wants to repair things for the sake of their eight-year-old son and because she loves her husband. Enter Avery Chambers.

Avery is a therapist who lost her professional license. Still, it doesn’t stop her from counseling those in crisis, though they have to adhere to her unorthodox methods. And the Bishops are desperate.

When they glide through Avery’s door and Marissa reveals her infidelity, all three are set on a collision course. Because the biggest secrets in the room are still hidden, and it’s no longer simply a marriage that’s in danger.

Review:

In The Golden Couple, Greer Hendricks & Sarah Pekkanen absolutely shine in their latest twist-filled domestic mystery.

Marissa Bishop has lured her husband, Matthew, to unlicensed therapist Avery Chambers under false pretenses. He believes they are seeing Avery to get advice for their eight-year-old son Bennett who has been bullied in the past. Instead, Marissa blindsides Matthew with the stunning announcement she had a one-night stand.  Despite her transgression, she would like to save their marriage. Matthew is furious over the news, but in the end, he agrees to try to move past her troubling news. Will Avery’s unconventional therapy help them repair their strained marriage?

Marissa and Matthew have known each other since they were teenagers. Marissa’s family are small business owners who barely scrape by whereas Matthew is from a wealthy family. Their teenage friendship and romance provide a firm foundation for their marriage, but Matthew’s long hours as a lawyer are taking their toll. Marissa owns an upscale business but she tailors her working hours around Bennett’s school hours and extracurricular activities. Although Marissa genuinely regrets sleeping with another man, she finds it very difficult to forget him or their evening together. Is her marriage strong enough to overcome her indiscretion?

Avery’s unconventional approach to therapy cost her license but her success garners plenty of business. Her methods are a little controversial but her success speaks for itself.  She assigns Marissa and Matthew “assignments” to accomplish before their next session. In between seeing them, Avery finds out everything she can about her clients. She follows them, snoops through their social media, and keeps them off balance during their sessions. Although Avery cannot quite figure out Marissa or Matthew, she remains certain she can help them save their marriage.

The Golden Couple is a suspenseful domestic mystery with interesting characters. Marissa knows she made a mistake but she wants to save and strengthen her marriage. Matthew is seething mad at his wife, but he is not ready to give up on what they have together. Avery is an intriguing woman who is comfortable in her own skin and content with her life. The storyline is exceptionally well-developed and very fast-paced. With plenty of tension and shocking plot twists, Greer Hendricks & Sarah Pekkanen bring this clever mystery to an edge of the seat conclusion.

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Filed under Contemporary, Domestic Mystery, Greer Hendricks, Mystery, Rated B+, Review, Sarah Pekkanen, St Martin's Press, Suspense, The Golden Couple

Review: You Are Not Alone by Greer Hendricks & Sarah Pekkanen

Title: You Are Not Alone by Greer Hendricks & Sarah Pekkanen
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery, Suspense
Length: 344 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through Edelweiss

Summary:

The electrifying #1 New York Times bestselling authors of THE WIFE BETWEEN US and AN ANONYMOUS GIRL return with a brand new novel of psychological suspense.

Shay Miller wants to find love, but it eludes her. She wants to be fulfilled, but her job is a dead end. She wants to belong, but her life is increasingly lonely.

Until Shay meets the Moore sisters. Cassandra and Jane live a life of glamorous perfection, and always get what they desire. When they invite Shay into their circle, everything seems to get better.

Shay would die for them to like her.
She may have to.

Review:

You Are Not Alone by Greer Hendricks & Sarah Pekkanen is a suspenseful domestic mystery.

After witnessing a horrifying event, thirty-one year old Shay Miller’s life continues its downward spiral. She is working as a temp while searching for a new job. She is in love with her platonic roommate Sean, but his new girlfriend is quietly edging Shay out of their lives. Lonely and demoralized, Shay is an easy target for sisters Jane and Cassandra Moore.

Cassandra and Jane are quite close and very successful. They are charismatic and share a close circle of trusted friends. Unbeknownst to Shay, Cassandra and Jane have an increasingly dangerous agenda as they deviously insert themselves into her life.

Shay is somewhat shy and loves data and statistics. She also proves to be incredibly naive as she eagerly welcomes Cassandra and Jane’s burgeoning friendship. However, Shay soon discovers that Cassandra and Jane might not be the fairy godmothers she believes them to be. She finally grasps what the sisters are up to, but is it too late for Shay to save herself?

You Are Not Alone is a compelling mystery with a frustratingly trusting heroine and an inventive storyline.  Shay is agonizingly desperate for companionship which makes her very easy to manipulate. Cassandra and Jane are quite charming but there is much more to the sisters and their friends than meets the eye.  Unanticipated plot twists are revealed late in the story and Greer Hendricks & Sarah Pekkanen brings this tension-filled mystery to a thrilling conclusion.  I completely enjoyed and highly recommend this latest novel from this creative crime writing duo.

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Filed under Contemporary, Greer Hendricks, Mystery, Rated B+, Review, Sarah Pekkanen, St Martin's Press, Suspense, You Are Not Alone

Review: An Anonymous Girl by Greer Hendricks & Sarah Pekkanen

Title: An Anonymous Girl by Greer Hendricks & Sarah Pekkanen
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery, Suspense
Length: 372 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

The next novel of psychological suspense and obsession from the authors of the blockbuster bestseller The Wife Between Us

Seeking women ages 18–32 to participate in a study on ethics and morality. Generous compensation. Anonymity guaranteed.

When Jessica Farris signs up for a psychology study conducted by the mysterious Dr. Shields, she thinks all she’ll have to do is answer a few questions, collect her money, and leave.

Question #1: Could you tell a lie without feeling guilt?

But as the questions grow more and more intense and invasive and the sessions become outings where Jess is told what to wear and how to act, she begins to feel as though Dr. Shields may know what she’s thinking…and what she’s hiding.

Question #2: Have you ever deeply hurt someone you care about?

As Jess’s paranoia grows, it becomes clear that she can no longer trust what in her life is real, and what is one of Dr. Shields’ manipulative experiments. Caught in a web of deceit and jealousy, Jess quickly learns that some obsessions can be deadly.

Question #3: Should a punishment always fit the crime?

From the authors of the blockbuster bestseller The Wife Between Us comes an electrifying new novel about doubt, passion, and just how much you can trust someone.

Review:

An Anonymous Girl by Greer Hendricks & Sarah Pekkanen is a psychological mystery that is fast-paced and engrossing.

Twenty-eight year old make-up artist Jessica “Jess” Farris joins an ethics and morality study under false pretenses. (hmm, what does that say about her ethics???).  Dr. Shields is running the study and Jessica stands out in every way as she answers the survey questions. Jess is surprised when the doctor offers her a tidy sum of money to work outside the study.  Although the deal is too lucrative for her to pass up, she soon begins to harbor doubts about Dr. Shields’s motive for the tasks she assigns to Jess. She quickly finds herself in way over her head but will Dr. Shields allow her to walk away from her?

Jess has been financially struggling for quite some time so she does not have to think long before she agrees to Dr. Shields’s terms.  She is fascinated by the doctor who is always calm, cool and keenly observant. Flattered by Dr. Shields’s attention, Jess is initially not troubled by her assignments. She also  does not give too much thought about the tasks she is asked to perform. However, after a stunning discovery, Jessica  realizes Dr. Shields’s motivation for what she is asking her to do goes beyond research. Will Jessica find a way to outsmart the shrewd and unflappable Dr. Shields?

Narrated by both Jess and Dr. Shields, the chapters alternate between the two points of view. Jessica’s chapters are a normal litany of her inner thoughts and daily life.Dr. Shields’ chapters are detached and somewhat clinical with descriptions of the doctor’s thoughts and reactions to Jessica’s assignments and their outcome.  The stark contrast between the two narrators adds interest to the storyline and keeps the story moving at a brisk pace.

An Anonymous Girl is a suspenseful psychological mystery that is well-written and quite clever. Jess is an interesting protagonist who immediately falls under the spell of the charismatic Dr. Shields. This powerful hold is difficult to shake even as Jess realizes she might be in grave danger. Greer Hendricks & Sarah Pekkanen keep readers on the edge of their seats as the novel hurtles to a tension-filled, stunning conclusion.  An absolutely outstanding mystery that I highly recommend to fans of the genre.

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Filed under An Anonymous Girl, Contemporary, Greer Hendricks, Mystery, Rated B+, Review, Sarah Pekkanen, Suspense

Review: The Wife Between Us by Greer Hendricks & Sarah Pekkanen

Title: The Wife Between Us by Greer Hendricks & Sarah Pekkanen
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery, Suspense
Length: 352 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

When you read this book, you will make many assumptions.
You will assume you are reading about a jealous ex-wife.
You will assume she is obsessed with her replacement – a beautiful, younger woman who is about to marry the man they both love.
You will assume you know the anatomy of this tangled love triangle.
Assume nothing.

Twisted and deliciously chilling, The Wife Between Us exposes the secret complexities of an enviable marriage – and the dangerous truths we ignore in the name of love.

Read between the lies.

Review:

The Wife Between Us by Greer Hendricks & Sarah Pekkanen is a twist-filled, suspenseful read.

In the days leading up to her marriage to Richard Thompson, twenty-eight year old Nellie is excited but a little sad about leaving behind the jobs and friends she loves. In sharp contrast, Richard’s ex-wife, Vanessa, is still devastated over the end of her marriage. In fact, Vanessa is living with her beloved Aunt Charlotte and barely hanging onto her sales associate job at an upscale department store due to the fact she can barely crawl out of bed most days. In between drinking to dull her pain, she is stalking her ex-husband’s fiancée while at the same trying to figure out when things began going wrong in her now defunct marriage. How far will Vanessa go to prevent her ex-husband from marrying again?

The Wife Between Us is written in three parts with part one being the longest and slowest paced. This part of the story provides interesting insight Vanessa’s current mental state. At the same time, this portion of the novel details Nellie’s upcoming marriage to Richard along with some intriguing information about Nellie and her past. Part one concludes with a jaw-dropping revelation that will definitely leave readers reeling.

The story really picks up steam during Part Two which focuses on Vanessa’s concerted effort to help Richard’s fiancée see  the truth about the man she is about to marry. Revelations about Vanessa, Richard and their marriage are positively stunning and show exactly why Vanessa is so determined to stop the upcoming wedding.  Richard goes to pretty extreme lengths to keep the women apart but Vanessa is undeterred as she goes to extreme (and dangerous) lengths to stop their wedding.

Part three is even more action-packed as Vanessa puts her plans into motion. The complete  truth about her marriage to Richard is also fully revealed and these details are shocking.  This portion of the story is also rather gratifying since Vanessa begins to get herself and her life together.

The Wife Between Us by Greer Hendricks & Sarah Pekkanen is a unique and multi-layered mystery. Vanessa is not always the most reliable of narrators and she is sometimes not exactly easy to like or feel much sympathy towards. Nellie is almost shockingly naive as she fails to grasp the implications of some of things about her older, successful husband to be. Aunt Charlotte is a delightful character who is unfailingly supportive of her niece.  Expect the unexpected in this innovative domestic mystery!

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Filed under Contemporary, Greer Hendricks, Mystery, Rated B, Review, Sarah Pekkanen, St Martin's Press, Suspense, The Wife Between Us

Review: The Perfect Neighbors by Sarah Pekkanen

Title: The Perfect Neighbors by Sarah Pekkanen
Publisher: Washington Square Press
Genre: Contemporary, Literary Fiction
Length: 352 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

How well do you ever really know the family next door?

Bucolic Newport Cove, where spontaneous block parties occur on balmy nights and all of the streets are named for flowers, is proud of its distinction of being named one the top twenty safest neighborhoods in the US. It’s also one of the most secret-filled.

Kellie Scott has just returned to work after a decade of being a stay-at-home mom. She’s adjusting to high heels, scrambling to cook dinner for her family after a day at the office—and soaking in the dangerous attention of a very handsome, very married male colleague. Kellie’s neighbor Susan Barrett begins every day with fresh resolutions: she won’t eat any carbs, she’ll go to bed at a reasonable hour, and she’ll stop stalking her ex-husband and his new girlfriend. Gigi Kennedy seems to have it all together—except her teenage daughter has turned into a hostile stranger and her husband is running for Congress, which means her old skeletons are in danger of being brought into the light.

Then a new family moves to this quiet, tree-lined cul-de-sac. Tessa Campbell seems friendly enough to the other mothers, if a bit reserved. Then the neighbors notice that no one is ever invited to Tessa’s house. And soon, it becomes clear that Tessa is hiding the biggest secret of all.

Review:

The Perfect Neighbors by Sarah Pekkanen is a compelling novel about the secrets of four neighbors living in idyllic Newport Cove, one of the twenty safest communities in America.

The oldest of the friends, Gigi Kennedy is happily married to husband, Joe, who is running for Congress while juggling his day job as a lawyer for an environmental company. She is a dedicated mom to their two daughters, fifteen year old Melanie and twelve year old Julia but she has a few secrets she would rather keep under wraps. Her biggest concern at the moment is her volatile relationship with Melanie, who has morphed from an innocent, happy young woman into a secretive, argumentative teenager Gigi barely recognizes.  While she is very supportive of Joe’s bid for office, she is not at all happy with the intense media scrutiny and she is rather suspicious of her husband’s twenty-two year old campaign manager, Zach.

Recently returning to work after staying home with her two children, ten year Mia and seven year old Noah, Kellie Scott is rediscovering herself. A real estate agent who is indulging in a not quite so innocent flirtation with her good-looking, married co-worker, Kellie is growing increasingly unhappy in her long-term marriage to her high school sweetheart, Jason. Instead of focusing on Jason’s positive qualities, all she can see are his flaws and Kellie cannot help but wonder if she can endure a future filled with the same old things year in and year out.

An über successful  businesswoman, Susan Barrett is struggling to move past her ex-husband Randall’s betrayal.  While she is grateful he is still an active part of their son Cole’s life, she cannot help but resent the new life he has created with his girlfriend Daphne.  Living the same neighborhood as her ex, Susan spends her free evenings sitting outside his house where she tortures herself by imagining what might be happening behind closed. Stunned by the happy couple’s latest news, Susan cannot help but reflect on why her marriage failed.

Newcomers to Newport Cove, Tessa Campbell and her husband Harry are a bit of enigma. An overprotective mom of two, Tessa tries to keep her distance from their new neighbors. Although she quickly succumbs to the warm welcome from Gigi, Kellie and Susan, she remains very tight-lipped about her family’s past. Of course, her new friends are a little curious about why Tessa keeps such a close eye on her two children, nine year old Bree and seven year old Addison. However, it is not until Harry’s shocking panic on Halloween that the three women seriously begin to question what is going on with Campbell family.

While the various events with Kellie, Susan and Gigi occur in the present, the truth about Tessa’s past is slowly revealed through a series of flashbacks. Going all the back to when Bree was a few months old, an interesting picture begins to emerge as Tessa struggles with single parenting since Harry is frequently out of town for business. Completely stressed and overwhelmed, she sees danger lurking behind every corner and after a few overreactions about her children’s safety, Tessa questions her judgment. All of her worries culminate in a shocking act that precipitates the family’s sudden move to Newport Cove.

Despite the outward peaceful appearance of Newport Cove, the enclave’s newsletter is quite entertaining as neighbors complain about barking dogs and the mystery dog pooping on various residents’ lawn.  A curmudgeon homeowner goes to great lengths to ensure everyone stays off his lawn while another neighbor goes out of her way to stick her nose into the newsletters’ various announcements, questions and grievances.  Despite the sometimes nitpicky complaints, there is a strong sense of community as everyone goes about their day to day lives. Readers will easily relate to the nuisance complaints (because who hasn’t experienced these things in their neighborhood?!) while at the same time, they will also appreciate the close-knit friendships between Kellie, Susan, Gigi and Tessa.

The Perfect Neighbors is an engaging novel of friendship with a captivating dash of mystery.  The different storylines about each of the women are absolutely riveting and there is plenty of anticipation over how each of the women’s issues will be resolved.  While all of the story arcs are interesting, the suspense about the reasons behind Tessa and Harry’s sudden move to Newport Cove is what keeps the pages turning at a blistering pace.  Old and new fans of Sarah Pekkanen are sure to love this newest release.

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Filed under Contemporary, Literary Fiction, Rated B+, Review, Sarah Pekkanen, The Perfect Nighbors, Washington Square Press

Review: The Best of Us by Sarah Pekkanen

Title: The Best of Us by Sarah Pekkanen
Publisher: Washington Square Press
Genre: Contemporary, Fiction
Length: 352 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through Edelweiss

Summary:

An all-expense paid week at a luxury villa in Jamaica—it’s the invitation of a lifetime for a group of old college friends. All four women are desperate not just for a reunion, but for an escape: Tina is drowning under the demands of mothering four young children. Allie is shattered by the news that a genetic illness runs in her family. Savannah is carrying the secret of her husband’s infidelity. And finally, there’s Pauline, who spares no expense to throw her wealthy husband an unforgettable thirty-fifth birthday celebration, hoping it will gloss over the cracks already splitting apart their new marriage.

Languid hours on a private beach, gourmet dinners, and late nights of drinking kick off an idyllic week for the women and their husbands. But as a powerful hurricane bears down on the island, turmoil swirls inside the villa, forcing each of the women to re-evaluate everything she knows about her friends—and herself.

The Review:

Sarah Pekkanen’s The Best of Us is a marvelous novel about friendship. But it is also a journey of self-discovery as each of the women comes to terms with the various challenges facing them as they enjoy a decadent week long vacation in Jamaica.

Tina, Allie, Savannah and Dwight were best friends in college. Tina is now married to Gio and is a stay at home mom to their four young children. Allie is married to Ryan and now their two kids are older, she is working part time as a social worker. Savannah is a real estate agent and unbeknownst to her friends, she and her husband Gary are separated and on the verge of divorce. Dwight is a socially awkward millionaire and it is his wife Pauline who has arranged the extravagant celebration for his thirty-fifth birthday.

As they embark on their trip, each of the women is at a crisis point in their lives. Tina loves her four children, but Gio’s long hours leave her as the kids’ primary caregiver and she is exhausted emotionally and physically from the demands of motherhood. Allie has learned devastating information about her birth father that leaves her reeling. Savannah is hoping the trip will take her mind off her conflicted feelings about Gary’s infidelity and their impending divorce. Pauline is faltering under the weight of the secrets she is keeping from Dwight.

All of the characters in The Best of Us are well-developed and multi-faceted. Tina and Allie are the most realistic and easy to relate while Savannah and Pauline come across as a little superficial. But there are hidden depths to each of these women, and their reactions to the unfolding drama are not as predictable as one would think. I wavered between liking and disliking each of the women throughout the story, and by the end of the novel, my opinions of each of them had dramatically altered from my first impressions.

The lavish party and lush tropical location counteract the more serious aspects of the storyline. Spirits are high with the liquor flowing freely and there is much laughter as everyone begins to relax and enjoy themselves. There are many light-hearted moments as everyone partakes in luscious meals and explores their idyllic surroundings.

The plot is unpredictable and Sarah Pekkanen keeps the reader off balance with some very surprising twists and turns. As the story progresses, the sense of camaraderie is occasionally marred by squabbles and jealousy. Loyalties shift as perceptions change due to some of the events that occur between the various characters.

But what makes The Best of Us such an outstanding read is the growth of the characters. They each gain new insight not only about themselves, but one another as well. The bonds of friendship are challenged but will emerge stronger than ever in the wake of unexpected revelations. An emotionally satisfying and compelling novel that I highly recommend.

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Filed under Contemporary, Fiction, Rated B, Review, Sarah Pekkanen, The Best of Us, Washington Square Press