Book Review - The Couple Upstairs by Shalini Boland
- Published on January 8, 2022
- Shalini
- in Book Posts, Book Reviews, Digital Reads Media, Digital Reads PR, Digital Reads Reviews, Fiction
Blurb
I should never have become friends with the couple upstairs…
The first time I step inside this cosy apartment with its sash windows, just minutes from the sea, I think it would be the perfect place for me and my partner Zac to start again.
A chance to leave our troubled past behind.
Chris and Vanessa, the couple upstairs, are so welcoming: smiles, flowers, a home-baked cake.
It’s strange how he does all the talking, and she seems so shy, but I’m just thrilled to have new friends nearby.
But everything starts to go wrong… my business begins to crumble, I can’t ignore the whispers at our housewarming party and loud arguments from upstairs keep me awake at night.
I can’t sleep, I can’t think straight and I feel like someone is watching me in my own home.
And then Zac comes home one afternoon, his face clenched with fury, and says he knows what’s going on.
He knows about my secret…
He won’t listen to me.
He storms out and I’m left in tears, completely devastated.
Why has my life fallen apart since we moved here?
Am I going mad?
Or is someone trying to destroy us?
If only I’d known what I know now.
If only I hadn’t trusted the couple upstairs.
My Review
What was it all about
A new home, a new business, a new beginning for Nina and Zac with a good couple upstairs. Until things started going wrong for Nina. Every single thing. Her love of 5 years too leaves her.
How it made me feel
Absolutely formulaic. The beginning was fun when Nina had to see one thing going wrong after the other. Then it was so obvious *spoiler alert* if you have read Between You and Me by Lisa Hall.
The final motive was flimsy, reminded me of mean girls movie where *spoiler alert* high school still influenced the perp even after 2 decades. Ever heard of Carpe Diem? Seize the day?
The Good
The writing was good where the build up of suspense was step-wise. Screws were being tightened on Nina from all directions.
The Bad
Unanswered questions, I so hated them. Never knew why Nina’s investors got into a fight with upstairs neighbor.
Zac left her based on the testimony of a stranger whom he had known for less than a month rather than the love of his life with whom he had lived together for years. She took him back. I would have kicked him out.
Easily guessable. No suspense. No thrill. No sitting at the edge of the seat. This style had been done by many other authors. No twists – that was my biggest regret.
The Conclusion
Short chapters made the book turn fast. Overall an okay read.
Book Links
Book Details
Publication Date: September 2021
I downloaded the digital version of the book from an online retail, and this is my journey down its pages, straight from the heart. STRICTLY HONEST and UNBIASED.
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2 Responses
Too bad this was so predictable, Shalini.
Ya, and there were no twists too. Hope you like it if you get to it.