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Just the Nicest Couple, by Mary Kubica, is a New York Times Bestseller and a gripping thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. The story is set in a suburban community and follows two couples, Nina and Jake Hayes, and Lily and Christian Scott, as their lives become intertwined after Jake’s disappearance.
The novel is a dark and twisted exploration of loyalty, family, and the lengths people will go to protect the ones they love. With every character brimming with secrets, every page holds a surprise, making it an entirely unputdownable and satisfying read.
What’s the Story About
The story of “Just the Nicest Couple” follows the disappearance of gifted neurosurgeon Jake Hayes after a heated argument with his wife Nina. At first, Nina believes Jake is taking a break after their fight, but as the days go by and he fails to return home, she grows increasingly concerned and eventually reports him missing.
As Nina searches for answers, she receives support from friends and colleagues, including her friend Lily Scott who reveals that she believes she may have been the last person to see Jake alive in a forest preserve. Lily confesses to Nina that Jake tried to sexually assault her and she had to strike him with a rock in self-defense. However, Lily’s husband Christian sets out to cover up any trace of Lily’s involvement.
Nina’s suspicions are aroused as she begins to suspect that Lily knows more than she is saying, and as she receives anonymous gifts and begins to feel stalked, she becomes more determined to uncover the truth. Her detective work eventually leads to a shocking discovery that makes Nina re-evaluate everything she thought she knew about Jake’s disappearance.
Throughout the book, Mary Kubica explores the strengths and weaknesses of human relationships and the lengths families will go to help each other. The suspense builds from the first page and doesn’t let up until the surprising twist at the end.
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Style of Writing and Structure
The narrative is told from Nina and Christian’s points of view, making for an intriguing choice to focus on Christian instead of Lily. This contributes to a heightened sense of tension for the reader, as Christian depends on Lily to disclose the events that occurred between her and Jake. As the story unfolds, Lily’s apparent concealment of information only grows, even though Christian remains unaware at first. Christian himself tends to have brooding and sinister thoughts, especially when it comes to shielding his wife.
Nina, on the other hand, is depicted as a pitiable character. She not only faces the disappearance of her husband but also has to take care of her ailing mother. It’s a challenging task for her to manage her responsibilities to her mother while still dealing with her demanding husband.
While the novel is compelling, I think it could have benefited from more in-depth character development. For example, I would have appreciated reading flashbacks from Nina and Jake’s marriage earlier in the book, as it seemed like a crucial aspect was missing. Similarly, I would have liked to know more about Lily and her background.
Additional thoughts
Despite the intriguing premise, the delivery of the story falls short compared to the author’s previous works, “The Other Mrs.” and “Local Woman Missing.” The characters are not fully developed, and some plot lines, such as the stalker/secret admirer subplot, do not add to the overall story. The main characters sometimes make questionable decisions that put them in dangerous situations, but the reader is only fully invested in one of them from the beginning.
On the other hand, Lily and Christian have a strong, loving relationship, and Nina and Jake appear to have it all – success and prestige in the community. They are both teachers at the same school and good friends with Lily. But when Lily reveals a shocking tale to Christian, the two of them go to great lengths to keep it a secret from Nina. The added plotline of Nina caring for her mother, who is suffering from eye disease and a possible cancer diagnosis, adds depth to the story.
Verdict
I try to keep my reviews spoiler-free, so I won’t go into too much detail. However, overall, I found this book to be a good and engaging read. It kept me turning the pages and I was genuinely curious about where the story was going to go. I correctly guessed one twist, but there were other plot reveals that caught me by surprise. To me, that’s what makes these kinds of stories so enjoyable. The surprises were impactful, but not too over-the-top, which is a common issue in thrillers.
While there were some shortcomings in the book, it still managed to keep the reader interested from start to finish. Mary Kubica takes the reader on a journey, making them believe they have a good idea of how the story will end, but then throws a surprising twist into the plot. The relationships between the characters and the suspenseful storyline make “Just the Nicest Couple” an entertaining read, although it may not be as impactful as some of the author’s previous works. Fans of Kubica’s writing will enjoy this book, but it may not be the page-turner they are used to.
I hope you enjoyed my book review for Just the Nicest Couple! And as always, I wish you happy reading! ❤️