Just The Nicest Couple

Written by Mary Kubica

Narrated by Brittany Pressley and Gary Tiedemann

'A MASTERFULLY WRITTEN SERIES' Ashley Audrain

'GRABS YOU ON THE FIRST PAGE' Laura Dave

Two couples, two close friends, one missing husband…

Jake Hayes is missing. This much is certain. At first, his wife Nina thinks he is blowing off steam somewhere after their heated fight the night before. But then a day goes by. Two days. Five. And Jake is still nowhere to be found.

Nina’s friend Lily thinks she may have been the last to see Jake before he went missing. After Lily confesses everything to her husband, Christian, the two decide that nobody can find out what happened leading up to Jake’s disappearance, especially not Nina. But Nina is out there looking for Jake, and she won’t stop until the truth is discovered.

Perfect for fans of Lisa Jewell, Nita Prose and Freida McFadden

'Prepare for a wild ride' NetGalley reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'Wonderfully well written' NetGalley reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'Had me hooked until the end' NetGalley reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Praise for Mary Kubica

‘Brilliantly propulsive and engrossing’ JP DELANEY

‘A twisty rollercoaster ride’ LISA GARDNER

‘Seductive and unpredictable’ KARIN SLAUGHTER

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
• Release date: Jan 17, 2023
• ISBN: 9780263299090

Mary Kubica

Mary Kubica is the New York Times bestselling author of THE GOOD GIRL and PRETTY BABY. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, in History and American Literature. She lives outside of Chicago with her husband and two children and enjoys photography, gardening and caring for the animals at a local shelter. Her third novel, DON'T YOU CRY, will be released in May of 2016.

Reviews for Just The Nicest Couple

[dianekeenoy · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This book kept me listening into early morning to finish. While I originally felt this was a 3.5 star read for me, the fact that I listened to all night long to finish made me round up to a 4 star read. The little things that bothered me about the book were probably because of some of the narration made me roll my eyes in the dark! Still a quick read and I am glad I listened to it.

[geauxgetlit · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

If you are new to the domestic thriller genre then this book would be a great first start. Mary Kubica does it well, however, some she does better than others.

This book for me was good enough to finish, but no big plot twists that wasn’t easily guessed beforehand and very forgettable soon after.
2.5 stars rounded up.

[nyiper · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Totally clever how Kubica lets the story evolve. I was SO sure I had it all figured out as the ending approached but I had at least three twists and turns hit me!! Very impressive. The characters are, unfortunately, pretty horrible in so many ways...hard to really LIKE them but...what a story!!

[srqlover · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I can usually figure these types of books out way early in the book but holy cow, I was completely blind sided with this one.

[bons_11 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Clever plot for another domestic thriller.

[mav1n1libby · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This was a good read. I listened to it in two days since it was a long wait with the audiobook. Not the best book and I had figured out the twist at the end, but I still enjoyed it.

[Akona Ludidi · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

When you find yourself in a hole, stop digging.
I love the constant tension in this story. Recommended to anyone who enjoys domestic thrillers.

[mrsmommybooknerd7 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

#FirstLine ~ PROLOGUE  - I gasp and stagger backward.This book is...WOW! Every time I think Kubica has written her best ever book, she comes out with another hit! Just the Nicest Couple is one of those books that you will read so fast because you cannot put it down!!!! Kubica is a master storyteller that creates time and place so utterly perfectly. She develops characters and a story that will get creep into the soul of the reader. There are few other writers that can engage readers with a story that is so precisely paced with spot on dialogue. A must read!!!!

[bookchickdi · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

As Mary Kubica's twist domestic suspense novel Just the Nicest Couple opens, a woman is running through the woods as some unkown person is chasing her. Who is she and who is she running from?Christian, a financial analyst, comes home from work to find his wife Lily exhausted in a chair. Lily is a high school math teacher and she is pregnant, in her first trimester. They are thrilled to be having a baby, but after a few miscarriages, they are also cautious.Although he is concerned that Lily is more tired than usual, Christian dotes on his wife and offers to bring her dinner in bed so she can rest. Lily seems overly worried that the doors are locked, she thinks she sees something or someone outside their home.Nina is a teacher at Lily's school and her husband Jake is a reknowned neurosurgeon. Nina and Jake have a fight one morning, and when Jake storms off and doesn't return home from work, Nina thinks he is staying at a hotel to punish her. But when Jake's hospital calls to find out why he has missed appointments with patients, Nina goes to the police to report him missing. Word about Jake gets around, and Lily tells Christian that she saw Jake in the wooded area where she was taking a walk and shares what happened when they spoke.Christian and Lily decide that no one can know what happened between Lily and Jake that day. And so begins a series of bad decisions they make that could have far reaching repercussions. Nina doesn't think that the police are doing enough to find Jake, so she begins searching for answers herself.Nina and Jake and Christian and Lily are couple friends- they have been out to dinner together, at each other's homes, at school functions together. But how well do they really know each other?There are a lot of secrets in Just the Nicest Couple, and just when you think you know what has happened, Mary Kubica throws in some twists that most readers (including myself- one of those twists really comes out of left field) did not see coming. She expertly builds the tension in some key scenes that are just made for a good TV movie.If you are fan of twisty suspense novels that keep you turning the pages to see what happens next, Just the Nicest Couple is one not to miss.Thanks to Harlequin Books for putting me on their Winter 2023 Mystery/Thriller Blog Tour.

[twink_2 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I've enjoyed previous books from Mary Kubica, but I think her latest - Just the Nicest Couple is hands down my favorite!Lily loves walking in a certain park. A chance encounter with a coworker's husband, (Jake) at the park is the catalyst for what follows. Jake's wife Nina confides in Lily at school the next day. She and Jake had a serious argument and he didn't come home the night before. Lily goes home and tells her husband Christian of the encounter with Jake - and what happened. Christian is madly in love with his wife and would do anything for her...I am being deliberately obtuse here. Why? Because how this plot plays out is so darkly delicious, making for simply addicting reading.As Christian and Lily think they've dealt with one thing, another issue pops up, compounding the mess this has become. And with every day that passes without a word from Jake, Nina doesn't know what to think.As readers, we are privy to what is happening on both sides of the fence as Christian and Nina each have a point of view. Kubica gives us lots of twists and turns, along with some red herrings on the way to the final 'ah ha" moment. (nicely done!) There's one last chapter that ties everything up. I'm not sure I liked all of the resolutions, but that's a minor thing and didn't detract from my enjoyment.

[fredreeca · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Lily has a secret. She was the last to see Jake alive. As a matter of fact, she thinks she is the one who killed him. She and her husband have an elaborate plan to cover all of this up. But it all starts to fall apart and Jake’s wife, Nina, knows something is not right and she is not going to give up!I hate it when a story has stupid characters. I felt Lily and her husband, Christian were extremely dumb. Trying to cover up a “supposed” murder. This just did not sit well with me…but as the story unfolded, it all became clear. And I come back to my favorite saying… “what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive!”I absolutely loved Local Woman Missing. And this book started out and was just ok. However, the ending is what made the whole book for me! I may talk about stupid characters…but I was a bit surprised. You need to read this to find out.There are places where the author is redundant. She repeats the same phrase a couple of pages over. Now, this is an ARC. So, the final edits may not have been finished yet. It is just something I noticed.Need a story with a wicked twist…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today!I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

[virginia51-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I enjoyed this suspense story and was surprised at the ending. I did think it got a little long winded in the middle to keep the story going but I loved the ending. I really liked all the characters and felt bad for them all. I received a copy of this book from the publisher for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

[jhscolloquium · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Just the Nicest Couple focuses on two couples living in Chicago suburb. Lily Scott is a high school algebra teacher and her husband, Christian, works as a market research analyst. Lily is pregnant and after three heartbreaking miscarriages, they are cautiously excited about the fact that she is nearing the end of the first trimester of the pregnancy, a milestone they did not previously reach. They have not told anyone that they are expecting again. They stretched their budget to purchase their dream home, set on the edge of a large forest with breathtaking views. Bestselling author Mary Kubica modeled the locale after Waterfall Glen, a preserve “where I’ve trained for marathons. It’s beautiful, densely wooded with a limestone path that weaves between forests and beside ponds, and is filled with wildlife.” In his first-person narrative, Christian reveals he is excited that their dream of becoming parents seems to be closer to coming true every day and remains deeply in love with the wife who is, to him, beautiful, petite, and delicate. His protectiveness of Lily leads him into a moral quagmire.In contrast, the marriage of Jake Hayes, a highly successful neurosurgeon, and Nina, who teaches English at the same high school as Lily, has hit a rough patch. The story opens on the day after they had a particularly vicious argument and Jake stormed out of the house. He did not return and is not answering Nina’s calls or text messages. She is growing increasingly worried. She explains in her first-person narrative that the two have been at odds over the amount of time she has been spending assisting her mother. At just sixty-two years of age, her mother has been healthy and able to live independently until recently. Now, not only is she unable to drive because she is suffering from macular degeneration (the wet form which is resistant to treatment and ultimately leads to blindness), she recently discovered a mass in her breast which is being evaluated. Nina is an only child and her mother raised her alone after her parents divorced due to her father’s infidelity. In time, he also abandoned Nina, who has remained close to and feels an obligation to care for her mother She and Jake have argued numerous times over what she describes as Jake’s jealousy and resentment about the amount of time and attention Nina spends caring for her mother’s needs, which detracts from their time together as a couple. Lily and Nina are good friends and tell each other everything, according to Nina. And the two couples have occasionally socialized together. But as Nina is worrying about Jake’s whereabouts and the state of their marriage, Lily confesses to Christian that she lost one of the earrings he gave her as a fifth wedding anniversary present. It must have become dislodged when she happened upon Jake as she was walking in Langley Woods, the forest preserve behind their house. Jake confided in her that he was troubled about being unable to save a few patients recently and having marital problems with Nina, and led her down an unmarked trail, looking for deer. “He tried to kiss me,” Lily tells Christian, and the situation escalated. Lily claims to be unsure about Jake’s fate, but she “might have hurt him.” And then she ran back to her car as fast as she could. She is covered with scrapes and bruises, and did not report the incident to the police or anyone else, explaining that she “couldn’t bring herself to tell Nina because she didn’t want to hurt her like that. Nine would have been devastated if she knew what Jake tried to do.” Hours later, Lily is “haunted by what happened” and concerned about Jake’s well-being.Kubica is known for crafting compulsive, fast-paced domestic thrillers featuring fascinating, fully developed characters. In Just the Nicest Couple, her four main characters are complex and compelling. Christian and Lily do, in fact, seem like a quintessentially nice young couple. They are educated, have solidly established themselves in their careers, and have settled into a home they love. Lily’s current pregnancy seems, so far at least, on track to end joyfully. Their marriage is a happy one. But the incident with Jake upends their peaceful domesticity. Christian is earnest, likable, and devoted to Lily, who has never previously given him a reason to distrust her. He details why they opt not to belatedly report Jake’s assault on Lily to the police, their search for Jake back at Langley Woods, and the increasingly desperate measures – most of which are by his design -- they employ to ensure that if something untoward has happened to Jake, Lily will not be implicated. After all, Christian also must protect their unborn child.In her alternating narrative, Nina details the tension in her marriage in the months leading up to Jake’s disappearance, her efforts to find him, and the unwavering support she receives from her mother. She also takes steps to protect her mother, who is vulnerable because of her visual impairment. Kubica thoughtfully explores Nina’s difficulty balancing the demands of her husband against her devotion to a parent who is growing older and facing health challenges. Despite their recent struggles, Nina fondly recalls and longs for happier days with Jake, still loves him, and is intent on learning whether he callously decided to leave her following their last argument . . . or is unable to come home to her. As she searches for answers, her suspicions grow. In addition to Nina’s mother, another supporting character also figures prominently in the tale. Ryan, a fellow teacher at the high school, is a devoted friend to Nina. But his behavior grows increasingly concerning and Kubica keeps readers guessing about his motivations. Does he want more than friendship from Nina? Is he somehow involved in Jake’s disappearance? The main theme of Just the Nicest Couple is the moral dilemma that Christian faces. Kubica asks readers to consider how far they would go to protect a loved one from the consequences of his/her poor decision-making, especially with potential criminal liability looming. Christian must choose between his own sense of right and wrong, and the preservation of the life he has built with Lily. Kubica propels the story forward as Christian confronts what – and who – he is willing to sacrifice to safeguard his wife so that they can raise their child together. Kubica’s approach to telling the story is inventive and provocative. As noted, readers get to know Christian and Nina, and are privy to their thoughts and emotional struggles via their alternating first-person narratives. However, she does not include narratives from either Jake or Lily. Rather, readers get acquainted with them only through the recollections, observations, and impressions of their partners and friends. Thus, Christian and Nina are inherently unreliable narrators. As the story progresses, it becomes apparent that Lily’s stated version of her interactions with Jake may not have been fully accurate and truthful. Meanwhile, Christian’s questionable decision-making escalates, heightening the danger in which he and Lily find themselves. Nina, meanwhile, gradually discovers that her perceptions of her relationships with those most important to her were severely flawed, and her life will never play out the way she once thought it would. Kubica says she strives to create characters with whom her readers will connect, hoping readers will relate to them and step into their shoes as “they make really stupid decisions.” In Just the Nicest Couple Kubica takes readers on a turbulent emotional journey with Christian and Nina, and their spouses, injecting clues, revelations about the characters’ marriages, and plenty of red herrings along the way, as the pace of the action escalates and the story careens to a shocking climax. She says it is also important to her that once all the surprising plot twists are revealed, readers remain interested to see what ultimately happens to her characters. Indeed, she provides an emotionally satisfying conclusion to an absorbing, entertaining, and thought-provoking story.Thanks to NetGalley for an Advance Reader's Copy of the book.

[susan.h.schofield · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I enjoyed this thriller from Mary Kubica. There were a few surprises although I did figure out who did it in the end. It's a quick and easy read. Thanks to NetGalley for the digital ARC.