My Thoughts:
The Perfect Couple by Elin Hilderbrand
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
4 perfect beach read stars to The Perfect Couple! 🏝 🏝 🏝 🏝
I discovered Elin Hilderbrand a couple years ago, well after she was proclaimed the queen of beach reads. While her books may be “beachy” (i.e., set on Nantucket), they are well-written and full of depth. The Perfect Couple is Hilderbrand’s first foray into murder mystery writing and also incorporates some beloved characters from her past books.
Wedding season is synonymous for “summer people” on Nantucket, and that is when the island is uncomfortably crammed full of people. When police chief Kapenash gets a call early one morning due to a body discovery in the water, the police quickly find out it is the maid of honor in a wedding that is to be held that day. It is safe to say, there would be no wedding.
The book encompasses the investigation as to whom is responsible for the murder, and I was surprised by the ending. Because it’s a lighter mystery, I did not have to focus on analysis and detailed reading, and instead, I could relax and be completely entertained in this indulgent read from the first page to the last.
I continue to be impressed with Hilderband’s ability to stay on top of her game. The Perfect Couple is a smart, inventive, dazzling, and successful work of light mystery dressed in beach read finery.
Thank you to Little, Brown and Company and Netgalley for the copy. The Perfect Couple is now available!
View all my reviews
Synopsis:
From New York Times bestselling author Elin Hilderbrand, comes a novel about the many ways family can fill our lives with love…if they don’t kill us first.
It’s wedding season on Nantucket. The beautiful island is overrun with summer people–an annual source of aggravation for year-round residents. And that’s not the only tension brewing offshore. When one lavish wedding ends in disaster before it can even begin–with the bride-to-be discovered dead in Nantucket Harbor just hours before the ceremony–everyone in the wedding party is suddenly a suspect. As Chief of Police Ed Kapenash digs into the best man, the maid of honor, the groom’s famous mystery novelist mother, and even a member of his own family, the chief discovers that every wedding is a minefield–and no couple is perfect. Featuring beloved characters from THE CASTAWAYS and A SUMMER AFFAIR, THE PERFECT COUPLE proves once again that Elin Hilderbrand is the queen of the summer beach read.
I love all of her books! I will have to make a trip to the bookstore this weekend!! 🙂 There is something about reading the familiar setting of Nantucket with each of her books that always brings me back for the next..
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lana, I was thinking this would be a great add to your summer reading list! Wait until you see the past characters make an appearance!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh…Fun! I can’t wait to get it!!🤩
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have it on hold at the library. I love her books.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hope you love it, too, JoAnne! Has that same comforting feel of her books, but with a refreshing twist!
LikeLike
I can’t wait to read this one! I just love her books! Great review Jen!💖😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Sus! This is totally your type of read! I think you will LOVE it! 💜
LikeLike
Are the flowers in your pic real?? They look too perfect… 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
FF, they are! And they are from my yard! 🌺 I have two in there- the larger ones are hibiscus, and the touches of pink are angel wing begonia. Those large blooms only last for one day, so I love to pick them and enjoy them (usually float them like this!).
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wonderful review. No I have read Perfect Couple but I plan to read it. 🐚🐬🎭👒👰📚
LikeLiked by 2 people
Have not
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Virginia! I hope you love it! 🐚 🏝 🌊
LikeLike
Have not read anything by her in quite some time. Wonderful review, Jennifer!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Marialyce! ♥️
LikeLike
I’ve been wanting to read a book by this author but I haven’t had the chance to yet. It’s on my tbr now. I really want to try her out, especially after you said this, “Because it’s a lighter mystery, I did not have to focus on analysis and detailed reading, and instead, I could relax and be completely entertained in this indulgent read from the first page to the last.” Sounds like my kind of book. Thanks so much for sharing. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are so welcome, Laurie! I hope this book is exactly what you are looking for! I’ll be watching for your thoughts. ♥️
LikeLiked by 1 person
😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ok, I just finished it! I enjoyed it but at the same time it was super annoying! Adultery everywhere! Way too much for one families story for my opinion! Maybe I am just too nieve and old fashioned, but I want to believe in the good of people( at least a few of the characters in a book). 🙃. This book wasn’t selling a whole lot of that for me. Did you feel that way at all?
LikeLiked by 1 person
I definitely did notice it. I think I’ve gotten used to the drama in stories like this one, and sometimes there are things that come along with it that are over-the-top.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Other than that… I really had fun with it. I really couldn’t guess who did it till the end.
But I know that was like 100 books ago for you. If your like me they all tend to blend together after a while. But I was just excited to finally finish it and message you about it! I still loved it. 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
Woo, what a relief! You bought it, so I was super worried if you would like it! I’m so glad you came by to chat with me after you finished! 💗 Makes my day, even though I am late seeing this part! I had fun, too. I was taking it easy with this one, and I didn’t guess correctly either! They do blend together, especially the thrillers/murder mysteries. I’m so happy you loved it too! Yay! ♥️ What are you reading next?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reading Camino Island by Grisham and also the Giver.. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can’t wait to hear about them! I don’t remember who writes The Giver. I will look it up.
LikeLiked by 1 person