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The Couple Upstairs by Shalini Boland

lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No

2.5

 

A new home, a new business, a new beginning for Nina and Zac with a good couple upstairs. Until things started going wrong for Nina. Every single thing. Her love of 5 years too leaves her. 
 

Absolutely formulaic. The beginning was fun when Nina had to see one thing going wrong after the other. Then it was so obvious  

if you have read Between You and Me by Lisa Hall

 

The final motive was flimsy, reminded me of Mean Girls movie where *spoiler alert* high school still influenced the perp even after 2 decades. Ever heard of Carpe Diem? Seize the day? 

The writing was good where the build-up of suspense was step-wise. Screws were being tightened on Nina from all directions.  

 

Unanswered questions, I so hated them. Never knew why Nina's investors got into a fight with upstairs neighbor. 

Zac left her based on the testimony of a stranger whom he had known for less than a month rather than the love of his life with whom he had lived together for years. She took him back. I would have kicked him out. 

Easily guessable. No suspense. No thrill. No sitting at the edge of the seat. This style had been done by many other authors. No twists - that was my biggest regret. 

 

Short chapters made the book turn fast. Overall an okay read.