I needed an effortless read after the last couple books and this one fit the bill. If you're looking for a cozy thriller to curl up with this might be for you. In spite of being somewhat predictable I still enjoyed seeing how it would all play out!
Avery is an unconventional therapist who has lost her license. She is quoted as saying, "losing my license was the best thing that ever happened to me - and my clients." Unlike most therapists, she takes it upon herself to explore what's going on outside a client's life as well as inside. She takes this to the extreme. Hiding in a closet to videotape an abusive wife yelling at her husband so she can show him; visiting a gym or restaurant to spy on a client in order to better observe their patterns of behavior; following clients to see what they're up to; or making home visits with clients as well as inviting them inside her own home. Avery knows that most therapists only know what their clients tell them. And clients pay big bucks for her service.
Matthew and Marissa are the golden couple. They come to Avery because Marissa has cheated on Matthew, and they want to fix their marriage. During the therapy Avery wonders if Marissa is fearful of upsetting her husband or if she is fearful of HIM. Then the order of the players shuffles, and Avery learns Marissa has been lying about key elements of the narrative. Of course, Avery goes to great lengths to get to the bottom of the truth.
Avery violates the code of her profession to uphold her personal morals. Like when Avery finds out from a client that a huge pharmaceutical company covered up the results of a trial when it was learned that people could die from a migraine drug that was still being put on the market. Avery decides to anonymously report this to the FDA hotline. This subplot eventually ties in with the main plot in a satisfying way.
There is good use of a red herring type character which makes the book all the more compelling. This writing duo also put out The Wife Between Us which was a good read and I would recommend it. The Golden Couple is fun and twisty and if you want an entertaining thriller then this is for you.
Boy I hope Rachel doesn't act like this with her clients... Haha. Sounds like a good read!