I struggled with this book. I felt it was way too slow and could have probably been 50-75 pages less than what it was. Much like another reader stated, I found myself skimming/skipping pages a lot because it was just way too wordy. I did, however, enjoy all the twists and turns that came with each chapter.

This book is incredible!

Two couples have been friends for years plan a trip together with their children in tow.

Ajit, one of the couples son, goes missing while in the care of a babysitter. Then secrets come out one by one.

These couples really don't know one another at all and have kept so many secrets from one another over the years. But one could harm Ajit!

The anxiety from this book starts at the beginning and doesn't let up.

A must read! Thank you NetGalley for the arc!

Two Perfect Couples had an intriguing premise. Two couples head out on a much needed holiday together, and everything seems to be going great until one of the children goes missing. I was really excited to read this book, but unfortunately it fell flat for me.

The multiple timelines added a bit of flair, but it was not enough to keep me fully engaged. I found myself skimming through parts just to get to the end. That said, I did enjoy the ending and appreciated a few of the plot twists along the way.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the advanced digital copy.

Two perfect couples had me enthralled- This has an interesting cast of characters that carry the story along a nice pace and create depth to the story. Great plot and I found myself filling an afternoon reading this in one sitting as I found it so enjoyable. Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for an advanced copy of the book in exchange for an honest , unbiased review. 4 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

‘We seem like perfect families, but our secrets must never come out’

The book follows the story of two couples and their children on a dream holiday to Goa. When Jo and Yash’s son, Ajit, disappears from his bed when the couples are out for the evening, leads into a tangled web of secrets, lies and tensions between them.

The first half of the book was a slow burn, it gave an insight into the anguish of Jo having lost her son, and how the implications of her past might have contributed to this. Jo isn’t the only one with a past though, and the repercussions will have an impact on their lives forever.

This is my first book from the author and I enjoyed the premise. The desperation and hopelessness of the parents, particularly Jo, was keeping me pulled in although at times I wanted a bit more of ‘something’ as it felt a little slow at times. Overall however it was a good read and one that kept the sensitivity of a parents worst nightmare.

3.5 ⭐️

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.