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The Couple Next Door
A hotshot lawyer with the world at her feet. A stranger determined to destroy her.
Hotshot defense lawyer Amber Dennis has it all. She's a successful attorney and the proud owner of a luxurious new condo, an expensive car, and a fat bank account. Not to mention a blossoming relationship with the gorgeous David Grant.
Amber's perfect life is shattered when she starts receiving threatening emails. At first, she brushes them off. After all, she can't help but make a few enemies in her line of work.
But when the threats become more real, she can no longer ignore them. Someone out there wants to destroy her. Who could it be, and why are they targeting her?
As her world implodes, Amber decides she's not going down without a fight. She's determined to find out who is threatening her and why.
What she doesn’t realise is her stalker is a lot closer than she thinks. And convinced that Amber has wronged them terribly, they'll stop at nothing to make her pay the ultimate price.
The Couple Next Door is a nail-biting psychological thriller that packs a powerful punch.
Hotshot defense lawyer Amber Dennis has it all. She's a successful attorney and the proud owner of a luxurious new condo, an expensive car, and a fat bank account. Not to mention a blossoming relationship with the gorgeous David Grant.
Amber's perfect life is shattered when she starts receiving threatening emails. At first, she brushes them off. After all, she can't help but make a few enemies in her line of work.
But when the threats become more real, she can no longer ignore them. Someone out there wants to destroy her. Who could it be, and why are they targeting her?
As her world implodes, Amber decides she's not going down without a fight. She's determined to find out who is threatening her and why.
What she doesn’t realise is her stalker is a lot closer than she thinks. And convinced that Amber has wronged them terribly, they'll stop at nothing to make her pay the ultimate price.
The Couple Next Door is a nail-biting psychological thriller that packs a powerful punch.
362 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 28, 2023
299 people are currently reading
705 people want to read
About the author
Cole Baxter
46 books365 followersCole Baxter loves writing psychological suspense thrillers. It's all about that last reveal that he loves shocking readers with.
He grew up in New York, where there crime was all around. He decided to turn that into something positive with his fiction.
His stories will have you reading through the night--they are very addictive!
Sign up for Cole's VIP Reader Club and find out about his latest releases, giveaways, and more. Copy and paste this link to sign up: http://eepurl.com/dqL8yT
He grew up in New York, where there crime was all around. He decided to turn that into something positive with his fiction.
His stories will have you reading through the night--they are very addictive!
Sign up for Cole's VIP Reader Club and find out about his latest releases, giveaways, and more. Copy and paste this link to sign up: http://eepurl.com/dqL8yT
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews
July 31, 2023
This book is hard to put down.
It’s definitely predictable. The plot is good overall though!
The book title threw me off so I was expecting something else but I did enjoy this read.
It is a little hard to root for Amber, the main character but at the same time you want her to come out on top.
It’s definitely predictable. The plot is good overall though!
The book title threw me off so I was expecting something else but I did enjoy this read.
It is a little hard to root for Amber, the main character but at the same time you want her to come out on top.
June 16, 2023
The Couple Next Door is deliciously dark and is the living embodiment of fuck around and find out. Hooked to the very end.
The Couple Next Door…what a book! If you are hungering for a book to make you feel everything, then pick this compulsive psychological thriller up now. Like now. No listen to me. Right now. This book will have you so out of breath, you’re going to feel like you’ve ran a marathon. 28 miles of pure action. The adrenaline will be so potent, you’ll feel like you’re choking on it.
I’m going to be completely honest and say I did not like the main character at all. But that is why I loved this story. Okay, okay, hear me out. Life isn’t full of rainbows and glitter, the only thing you’re really going to find at the end of the rainbow is a trough of shite, no pot of gold. Life is full of nasty characters doing ill deeds for gains that benefit no one but themselves. Amber Dennis is the perfect character for a study. A hotshot defence lawyer, single and happy being so, and a wreckage of bodies that she’s trodden on to make Junior Partner at the law firm she works at. Are you feeling that dose of reality yet? I bet you’ve met someone just like her. I know I have.
Strip back the layers and what are you left with? A woman that has made so many enemies that she struggles to pinpoint the person or persons that have begun a reign of terror upon her. It starts with the pretty innocuous emails from throwaway accounts that she can almost brush off as spam. It very quickly escalates to her phone being stolen, which has some pretty sensitive client data on it and then they try to burn her apartment down with her in it. But who could hate her so much that they want to kill her? Her boss, who knows that she’s gunning for her job? Her assistant who Amber speaks to like garbage or even her no strings attached booty call boyfriend, David. He wants more but she just wants his body and what he can do with it. Or the many enemies she’s made as a very powerful lawyer? The plot thickens.
Amber is drowning in muddy waters. How can you pinpoint the perpetrator when it could be everyone?
Let me tell you, Cole Baxter can write a mean story. Narrative tighter than two coats of paint. Twists that will spin your head so much, you resemble a freaking owl! He leads you down a deserted alleyway, breadcrumbs your only clue to which way to go. He blindfolds you and spins you until up and down no longer have no meaning. A master of the twist, I felt like I could vomit from the pacing, but it was fantastic, and I had an amazing time reading it. I need to go and read his back catalogue now!
The Couple Next Door…what a book! If you are hungering for a book to make you feel everything, then pick this compulsive psychological thriller up now. Like now. No listen to me. Right now. This book will have you so out of breath, you’re going to feel like you’ve ran a marathon. 28 miles of pure action. The adrenaline will be so potent, you’ll feel like you’re choking on it.
I’m going to be completely honest and say I did not like the main character at all. But that is why I loved this story. Okay, okay, hear me out. Life isn’t full of rainbows and glitter, the only thing you’re really going to find at the end of the rainbow is a trough of shite, no pot of gold. Life is full of nasty characters doing ill deeds for gains that benefit no one but themselves. Amber Dennis is the perfect character for a study. A hotshot defence lawyer, single and happy being so, and a wreckage of bodies that she’s trodden on to make Junior Partner at the law firm she works at. Are you feeling that dose of reality yet? I bet you’ve met someone just like her. I know I have.
Strip back the layers and what are you left with? A woman that has made so many enemies that she struggles to pinpoint the person or persons that have begun a reign of terror upon her. It starts with the pretty innocuous emails from throwaway accounts that she can almost brush off as spam. It very quickly escalates to her phone being stolen, which has some pretty sensitive client data on it and then they try to burn her apartment down with her in it. But who could hate her so much that they want to kill her? Her boss, who knows that she’s gunning for her job? Her assistant who Amber speaks to like garbage or even her no strings attached booty call boyfriend, David. He wants more but she just wants his body and what he can do with it. Or the many enemies she’s made as a very powerful lawyer? The plot thickens.
Amber is drowning in muddy waters. How can you pinpoint the perpetrator when it could be everyone?
Let me tell you, Cole Baxter can write a mean story. Narrative tighter than two coats of paint. Twists that will spin your head so much, you resemble a freaking owl! He leads you down a deserted alleyway, breadcrumbs your only clue to which way to go. He blindfolds you and spins you until up and down no longer have no meaning. A master of the twist, I felt like I could vomit from the pacing, but it was fantastic, and I had an amazing time reading it. I need to go and read his back catalogue now!
June 12, 2023
Have you ever read a book where you couldn’t stand the MC at all? This is the book for you! I could not stand Amber! Every time she spoke I gritted my teeth, she riled me. She was superficial, a brat and so so so entitled! Despite this, and the way she spoke to every single person I didn’t feel she deserved what was happening. No matter how many times she repeated herself and held a pity party!
I’ve read quite a few books by Mr. Baxter now, so I have learned the ways his books are constructed and how he likes to throw the red herrings out there. There are a few so keep your eyes peeled!
Despite my feelings towards Amber, I still found these pages to be turning as I wanted to get to the bottom of this destruction we have laid out in front of us. It was most definitely an entertaining turn of events and not one I think I have read before. There is definitely a message too, of learning from our mistakes, just a shame not everyone can do that!!
This book will play with your head, as you watch a strong independent career woman completely unravel in front of you. It plays out so well too.
I’ve read quite a few books by Mr. Baxter now, so I have learned the ways his books are constructed and how he likes to throw the red herrings out there. There are a few so keep your eyes peeled!
Despite my feelings towards Amber, I still found these pages to be turning as I wanted to get to the bottom of this destruction we have laid out in front of us. It was most definitely an entertaining turn of events and not one I think I have read before. There is definitely a message too, of learning from our mistakes, just a shame not everyone can do that!!
This book will play with your head, as you watch a strong independent career woman completely unravel in front of you. It plays out so well too.
July 9, 2023
Insufferable main character
I kept waiting for this character to have some sort of redemption but she remained just insufferable from start to finish.
The writing of this book was disjointed and juvenile. The author also has a tendency to repeat works often - sometime 4-5 times on the same page or two.
Not a fan.
I kept waiting for this character to have some sort of redemption but she remained just insufferable from start to finish.
The writing of this book was disjointed and juvenile. The author also has a tendency to repeat works often - sometime 4-5 times on the same page or two.
Not a fan.
July 18, 2023
Does anyone else think the cover of this book is so random? All based in a city... no suburbs house at all like on the cover. 🤔
Overall a good book, it wasn't amazing but it was entertaining. Unfortunately quite predictable, I did enjoy how you're supposed to hate the main character which I did, wow she was so annoying but it did add to the entire point of the story.
3 stars at best. 🤷🏼♀️
Overall a good book, it wasn't amazing but it was entertaining. Unfortunately quite predictable, I did enjoy how you're supposed to hate the main character which I did, wow she was so annoying but it did add to the entire point of the story.
3 stars at best. 🤷🏼♀️
Read
June 13, 2023The Couple Next Door is a psychological thriller. Amber is an ambitious defence attorney and her job is her life. She starts receiving threating emails right after her big promotion in her law firm. She disregards them at first until they become more forceful and her car is vandalized. More things go wrong in Amber’s life as the threats and aggressive behaviours escalate. Amber is a completely unlikeable character so really anyone she knows could be responsible. This book was definitely suspenseful. It is also fast paced so the story moves along at a good pace. Who is threatening Amber and how will it end? Check this one out for the answers.
August 26, 2024
An interesting book that will keep you reading! I don’t think the title was right for the story, but who cares? You might root for the protagonist or you might say she’s getting her comeuppance but either way, you’ll keep reading!
June 18, 2023
The Couple Next Door by Cole Baxter
@inkubatorbooks @zooloosbooktours
This book starts off very strong and you feel the headstrong Amber whom a lawyer. The Couple Next Door is full of suspense and adventure. Finally, a strong female character who is independent of others. I adored how Amber was portrayed as a powerful lady who will do whatever it takes to accomplish her objectives. I was captivated by this book all the way through!
Although the tale moves quickly, the excitement didn't really begin to build until about 60%.
Nevertheless, I enjoyed reading about an MC who had a highly contradictory attitude and truly annoyed me. Is everything in life really a game of tit for tat, as the book also prompted some moral queries? Are people simply suffering the consequences of their actions when awful things happen to them or do they truly deserve them?
@inkubatorbooks @zooloosbooktours
This book starts off very strong and you feel the headstrong Amber whom a lawyer. The Couple Next Door is full of suspense and adventure. Finally, a strong female character who is independent of others. I adored how Amber was portrayed as a powerful lady who will do whatever it takes to accomplish her objectives. I was captivated by this book all the way through!
Although the tale moves quickly, the excitement didn't really begin to build until about 60%.
Nevertheless, I enjoyed reading about an MC who had a highly contradictory attitude and truly annoyed me. Is everything in life really a game of tit for tat, as the book also prompted some moral queries? Are people simply suffering the consequences of their actions when awful things happen to them or do they truly deserve them?
May 19, 2024
I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley.
Amber Dennis is an up and coming lawyer in LA. She just received her promotion to Junior Partner, to the chagrin of a lot of people. However, Amber does not care. She has a goal to get her name on the wall, and does not care who she has to step on to get there. All things are coming up roses for Amber, promotion, new condo, flashy car, and a secret affair with her mentor's son.
Then, life starts to turn. One night, late at work, an email pops into her account and Amber shrugs it off. As the recipient of angry emails in the past, she figures it is a kook. However, more emails come through over time and things start happening to Amber that upset her quality of life. She has no one ot turn to as she has alienated everyone, even the cops are skeptical. Then, something big happens and the detectives start taking her seriously. Can they stop this person before they take everything?
This book was interesting. I am still confused by the cover of the book - once you read it, you will understand why. Same with the title.
Amber Dennis is an up and coming lawyer in LA. She just received her promotion to Junior Partner, to the chagrin of a lot of people. However, Amber does not care. She has a goal to get her name on the wall, and does not care who she has to step on to get there. All things are coming up roses for Amber, promotion, new condo, flashy car, and a secret affair with her mentor's son.
Then, life starts to turn. One night, late at work, an email pops into her account and Amber shrugs it off. As the recipient of angry emails in the past, she figures it is a kook. However, more emails come through over time and things start happening to Amber that upset her quality of life. She has no one ot turn to as she has alienated everyone, even the cops are skeptical. Then, something big happens and the detectives start taking her seriously. Can they stop this person before they take everything?
This book was interesting. I am still confused by the cover of the book - once you read it, you will understand why. Same with the title.
May 25, 2024
This book was ok, I didn't find it as enthralling as other Cole Baxter books big still a good read. It's another one which makes you dislike the main female character due to her character. A simple ending too.
July 10, 2023
Slow in the beginning and very predictable. Not a favorite, but a quick and easy read.
June 18, 2023
Introduction
I was given a copy to review for a book tour. My reviews are always honest and all opinions are my own. #TheCoupleNextDoor #ColeBaxter #ZooLooBookTours #BookTourReview #PsychologicalThriller #BookReview #gifted #ad
Review
I thoroughly enjoyed this thriller although I have to say it left me questioning my morality. I am not sure how Cole Baxter managed to create a protagonist that I disliked, no despised so much that I actually wanted the ‘bad guys’ to win but he did and I actually loved that.
Amber Dennis is a hotshot defence lawyer and she has it all. A successful attorney and proud owner of a luxurious new condo, an expensive car and a fat bank account not to mention a blossoming relationship with David Grant, her employers son. But soon her perfect life she shatters when she starts receiving threatening emails. At first she ignores them, putting it down to some of the enemies she has made in her line of work but as they become more real she can’t ignore them any longer.
While her world begins to implode, Amber decides she’s not going down without a fight. She’s determined to find out who is targeting her and why. But Amber doesn’t realise her stalker is a lot closer than she thinks and is convinced that Amber has wronged them terribly. They will stop at nothing to make her pay the ultimate price.
Like I said I am not sure how Baxter did it but this is probably the first time, in a psychological thriller, I was rooting for the bad guy. I mean sure sometimes I like the bad guy in a book, movie or tv show, but I don’t exactly want to see them win but here I can tell you, one hundred percent I was upset that they didn’t. Amber is awful. Now I don’t mean she is written awfully or the novel is bad, I mean that she is literally a terrible person but I actually loved that Baxter was able to create a character like this but also believably like this. I found myself not at all surprised by the way Amber acted because she had the mentality of someone incredibly spoiled and entitled, bordering on narcissistic and while I disliked her character I adored the way she was written which I hope makes sense. I suppose it is almost like the idea that sometimes I love the bad guy but don’t want them to win, here I loved the way she was portrayed but didn’t want her to survive – see how this makes me question my morality?
The novel itself is brilliant at building the suspense. I loved trying to work out who was out to get Amber (I honestly wasn’t surprised someone was) and it did keep me guessing. The other characters, like Amber, are all written so they pop to life of the page. Their personas are well fleshed out and believable, even Amber’s is and you do easily get sucked into their world.
The one thing I did find a bit of an irritation to me, because I disliked her so much, was that a lot of the narrative is told biasedly towards Amber with her thoughts and feelings peppered in. It didn’t make the read less enjoyable but it did help reinforce I did not want Amber to survive.
That said this is a really good thriller, with a few twists and turns along the way. I really don’t want anyone to think I disliked the book because I actually loved that I ended up despising the protagonist so much. I know it may sound weird but I honestly mean that! If you love thrillers with an edge of your sit pace this one is for you.
I was given a copy to review for a book tour. My reviews are always honest and all opinions are my own. #TheCoupleNextDoor #ColeBaxter #ZooLooBookTours #BookTourReview #PsychologicalThriller #BookReview #gifted #ad
Review
I thoroughly enjoyed this thriller although I have to say it left me questioning my morality. I am not sure how Cole Baxter managed to create a protagonist that I disliked, no despised so much that I actually wanted the ‘bad guys’ to win but he did and I actually loved that.
Amber Dennis is a hotshot defence lawyer and she has it all. A successful attorney and proud owner of a luxurious new condo, an expensive car and a fat bank account not to mention a blossoming relationship with David Grant, her employers son. But soon her perfect life she shatters when she starts receiving threatening emails. At first she ignores them, putting it down to some of the enemies she has made in her line of work but as they become more real she can’t ignore them any longer.
While her world begins to implode, Amber decides she’s not going down without a fight. She’s determined to find out who is targeting her and why. But Amber doesn’t realise her stalker is a lot closer than she thinks and is convinced that Amber has wronged them terribly. They will stop at nothing to make her pay the ultimate price.
Like I said I am not sure how Baxter did it but this is probably the first time, in a psychological thriller, I was rooting for the bad guy. I mean sure sometimes I like the bad guy in a book, movie or tv show, but I don’t exactly want to see them win but here I can tell you, one hundred percent I was upset that they didn’t. Amber is awful. Now I don’t mean she is written awfully or the novel is bad, I mean that she is literally a terrible person but I actually loved that Baxter was able to create a character like this but also believably like this. I found myself not at all surprised by the way Amber acted because she had the mentality of someone incredibly spoiled and entitled, bordering on narcissistic and while I disliked her character I adored the way she was written which I hope makes sense. I suppose it is almost like the idea that sometimes I love the bad guy but don’t want them to win, here I loved the way she was portrayed but didn’t want her to survive – see how this makes me question my morality?
The novel itself is brilliant at building the suspense. I loved trying to work out who was out to get Amber (I honestly wasn’t surprised someone was) and it did keep me guessing. The other characters, like Amber, are all written so they pop to life of the page. Their personas are well fleshed out and believable, even Amber’s is and you do easily get sucked into their world.
The one thing I did find a bit of an irritation to me, because I disliked her so much, was that a lot of the narrative is told biasedly towards Amber with her thoughts and feelings peppered in. It didn’t make the read less enjoyable but it did help reinforce I did not want Amber to survive.
That said this is a really good thriller, with a few twists and turns along the way. I really don’t want anyone to think I disliked the book because I actually loved that I ended up despising the protagonist so much. I know it may sound weird but I honestly mean that! If you love thrillers with an edge of your sit pace this one is for you.
June 17, 2023
This is the second book I've read by this author and in lots of ways I could see the similarities, but I also found them so different.
Amber is a go getting, strong and successful defense lawyer. When she starts to receive threatening emails that ramp up, her life takes a nose dive as she races to find out who they're from, what they want and why they are doing this to her.
This didn't instantly grab me and it took me a couple of chapters to really get into it. But then there it was and I was gripped!
There was a real tension created and I think it was worse because we obviously knew what was happening and who was doing this, but not the why and the journey to get answers was just as compelling.
As with Baxter's last book, I really disliked our MC.
Amber has it all - the new condo, the fancy car and all the money - but she has that laddish personality that just shouts cocky, entitled and not someone I would ever like.
This makes it really difficult to feel any empathy for her situation and I think that uncomfortable feeling of what's norm makes these books unique.
I can't say that I wished her ill, but definitely had moments of thinking 'what if we find out who and why and then just switch up the ending in one huge twist 😉)
Once again a nice quick read which kept up the tension and had me page turning. I look forward to reading more of Baxter's books
Amber is a go getting, strong and successful defense lawyer. When she starts to receive threatening emails that ramp up, her life takes a nose dive as she races to find out who they're from, what they want and why they are doing this to her.
This didn't instantly grab me and it took me a couple of chapters to really get into it. But then there it was and I was gripped!
There was a real tension created and I think it was worse because we obviously knew what was happening and who was doing this, but not the why and the journey to get answers was just as compelling.
As with Baxter's last book, I really disliked our MC.
Amber has it all - the new condo, the fancy car and all the money - but she has that laddish personality that just shouts cocky, entitled and not someone I would ever like.
This makes it really difficult to feel any empathy for her situation and I think that uncomfortable feeling of what's norm makes these books unique.
I can't say that I wished her ill, but definitely had moments of thinking 'what if we find out who and why and then just switch up the ending in one huge twist 😉)
Once again a nice quick read which kept up the tension and had me page turning. I look forward to reading more of Baxter's books
April 9, 2025
This was my first dive into Cole Baxter’s work, and I am a bit disappoint after reading this book, I heard a lot of positive things about it.
It takes a lot to push through the first 300 pages of this book.
It takes a lot to push through the first 300 pages of this book.
June 9, 2023
⭐⭐
Amber Dennis, at age 36, is both the youngest ever junior partner at her firm and a robot. She exists only to work and move higher in her organization at the cost of whoever and whatever is in the way. While Amber is not technically a robot, that would make her more interesting. Instead she is flat and unlikable.
Amber attracts the attention of a stalker who continues to escalate in behavior. It begins with threatening emails and intensifies into psychological warfare that takes away everything that she holds dear. Despite all this, Amber remains the same awful person who stops only because she is warned that it will happen again.
I wanted so hard to like this book, but unfortunately I just did not. It started off with promise with an allusion to Animal Farm in chapter one; but that was really the end of that spark. Even the title of the book is a misnomer.
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the advanced copy of this book
Amber Dennis, at age 36, is both the youngest ever junior partner at her firm and a robot. She exists only to work and move higher in her organization at the cost of whoever and whatever is in the way. While Amber is not technically a robot, that would make her more interesting. Instead she is flat and unlikable.
Amber attracts the attention of a stalker who continues to escalate in behavior. It begins with threatening emails and intensifies into psychological warfare that takes away everything that she holds dear. Despite all this, Amber remains the same awful person who stops only because she is warned that it will happen again.
I wanted so hard to like this book, but unfortunately I just did not. It started off with promise with an allusion to Animal Farm in chapter one; but that was really the end of that spark. Even the title of the book is a misnomer.
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the advanced copy of this book
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 2, 2023
Amber Dennis has it all, well in her head she has it all. She's just been made Junior Partner at her law firm and has a fancy new apartment filled with expensive things. She also has an ego that has made her no real friends and many enemies.
This character ticked every box for narcissist, her dialogue from page to page was how beautiful she was, how smart, how intelligent, successful etc. She has no endearing or redeeming qualities and is incapable of forming relationships. Unfortunately this meant that when really horrible things happened to her I felt nothing as I had not connected with her on any level.
It was startlingly obvious who was doing all of it, the title pretty much gave it away. I really didn't enjoy it.
This character ticked every box for narcissist, her dialogue from page to page was how beautiful she was, how smart, how intelligent, successful etc. She has no endearing or redeeming qualities and is incapable of forming relationships. Unfortunately this meant that when really horrible things happened to her I felt nothing as I had not connected with her on any level.
It was startlingly obvious who was doing all of it, the title pretty much gave it away. I really didn't enjoy it.
June 12, 2023
I really enjoyed this book, it was well written with a compelling storyline and well developed characters some which I loved and some - well ONE in particular that I could not stand, Amber I'm looking at you girl, she was such a vile person that I just couldn't bring myself to root for her. Unfortunately for her I kept picturing her as another Amber who was in the press a lot over recent times, so i probably did her an injustice right from the start 😂
This was a slow burner that took a few chapters to get in to the story but as soon as I did I was hooked. The book is so atmospheric and claustrophobic I felt the tension and the anxiety like it was happening to me and my heart was beating out of my chest.
I really enjoyed it
This was a slow burner that took a few chapters to get in to the story but as soon as I did I was hooked. The book is so atmospheric and claustrophobic I felt the tension and the anxiety like it was happening to me and my heart was beating out of my chest.
I really enjoyed it
June 16, 2023
I loved the storyline, but not the main character Amber. 36-year-old Amber is ambitious, career minded and determined to get what she wants. Amber is dating David, the son of the major partner and 10 years her junior and trying to keep it a secret from everyone. Amber starts to receive threatening emails but she thinks nothing of it at first, until things start to get worse. When David and Amber hear a noise and a bang at the door, they are meet with a fire in the hallway. Amber knows someone is stalker her, but who can it be and why?
I enjoyed the book, it was a good psychological read that I read it in one day.
I enjoyed the book, it was a good psychological read that I read it in one day.
June 17, 2023
Review
The Couple Next Door
By Cole Baxter
Psychological Thriller
Description
Fast paced thriller that has you sitting on the edge of your seat in suspense.
Amber is a lawyer living her dream life and then something happens, and her perfect life isn't so perfect anymore.
This story has you rooting for the villain and it's hard to feel sorry for Amber.
I gave this book ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 1/2
Thanks to Zooloos Book Tours for a digital copy of this book.
#zooloosbooktours #thecouplenextdoor #colebaxter
The Couple Next Door
By Cole Baxter
Psychological Thriller
Description
Fast paced thriller that has you sitting on the edge of your seat in suspense.
Amber is a lawyer living her dream life and then something happens, and her perfect life isn't so perfect anymore.
This story has you rooting for the villain and it's hard to feel sorry for Amber.
I gave this book ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 1/2
Thanks to Zooloos Book Tours for a digital copy of this book.
#zooloosbooktours #thecouplenextdoor #colebaxter
October 3, 2023
predictable
This book was very slow and I predicted the twist way before it happened… waste of time! Read at your own discretion.
This book was very slow and I predicted the twist way before it happened… waste of time! Read at your own discretion.
January 12, 2024
Predictable. I guessed the stalker at 30% and that is disappointing.
June 21, 2023
Amber Dennis has just been made junior partner at her law firm and she is over the moon. At the dinner party in her honour, she is sat next to the boss's son, David Grant. He is good looking and stroking her leg while they are looking at their menus. Amber is quite happy about this and lets him know it. It’s the start of an interesting relationship between them. Amber has proved herself as a successful defence counsel and won plenty of cases, she owns a luxurious new condo, owns an expensive Tesla and got a lovely fat bank account.
Then one day, Amber starts receiving threatening emails, they threaten to bring her down and destroy her life. Her car is attacked in one incident and her mobile phone stolen in another. When the emails get worse, she goes to report everything to the police but doesn’t get very far as there’s not much they can do as she doesn’t know who’s doing it to her! Then one night when David is with her, there is a loud bang against her front door, then a thud and David goes to investigate as it’s late at night. When he opens the door, he is met by fire in the hallway and around the doorframe. The only way out is to walk through it. David grabs a blanket off the sofa, wets it and covers them, using his shirt as a mask for their mouths, they walk out through the door and down the stairs. When outside, the fire and police have turned up so they will take it seriously now as arson is involved.
Detective Sheldon gives her a call and he turns up at her office to get a statement. She holds back on her statement names of people who could have a grudge on her at work as its most of her colleagues, she gives him four names instead. When he next asks to see her, it’s down at the station and she is a bit more forthcoming with the names of her colleagues who could have a grudge as they hate her. He is not pleased that she didn’t divulge these earlier.
The handyman turns up to renew her door and she sees a gorgeous hunk standing there, so she decides to flirt with him. He comes back a couple of days later to paint the walls of her apartment that got caught in the fire and he woke her at seven am by banging on the front door. She had a hangover from all her drinking the night before. Whilst they were chatting and flirting, all of a sudden, Allan’s demeanour changed and he finished the job abruptly. He said he would see her on Friday for the spotlights. She couldn’t work out what was said for the abrupt change in him. He turned up on Friday but there was a coolness about him, definitely no flirting.
Amber has been trying to ring her best Kelly but she’s not been picking up her phone so Amber has felt pretty lonely. She even rang her mum in desperation for someone to talk to. Then, one morning on the news, she saw that her best friend Kelly had died but it didn’t say how. She googled Kelly, it said she committed suicide, Amber knew she wouldn’t do that. Detective Sheldon rang to say they had a name for the guy who had done her car and nicked her phone but she didn’t recognise the name and the firm had never represented him. Then Amber asked him to come over as there was something she wanted to discuss and she told the Detective her thoughts on Kelly and how she thought she had been murdered. She showed him the file from ten years earlier.
Will Amber’s stalker killer attack her? How will he destroy her life? Will the police catch the stalker?
This is a great psychological read and I got into it straight away. I have read this book in a day. It is well written with great descriptive prose. You can feel like you are living the scenes in your mind as you are reading them.
Then one day, Amber starts receiving threatening emails, they threaten to bring her down and destroy her life. Her car is attacked in one incident and her mobile phone stolen in another. When the emails get worse, she goes to report everything to the police but doesn’t get very far as there’s not much they can do as she doesn’t know who’s doing it to her! Then one night when David is with her, there is a loud bang against her front door, then a thud and David goes to investigate as it’s late at night. When he opens the door, he is met by fire in the hallway and around the doorframe. The only way out is to walk through it. David grabs a blanket off the sofa, wets it and covers them, using his shirt as a mask for their mouths, they walk out through the door and down the stairs. When outside, the fire and police have turned up so they will take it seriously now as arson is involved.
Detective Sheldon gives her a call and he turns up at her office to get a statement. She holds back on her statement names of people who could have a grudge on her at work as its most of her colleagues, she gives him four names instead. When he next asks to see her, it’s down at the station and she is a bit more forthcoming with the names of her colleagues who could have a grudge as they hate her. He is not pleased that she didn’t divulge these earlier.
The handyman turns up to renew her door and she sees a gorgeous hunk standing there, so she decides to flirt with him. He comes back a couple of days later to paint the walls of her apartment that got caught in the fire and he woke her at seven am by banging on the front door. She had a hangover from all her drinking the night before. Whilst they were chatting and flirting, all of a sudden, Allan’s demeanour changed and he finished the job abruptly. He said he would see her on Friday for the spotlights. She couldn’t work out what was said for the abrupt change in him. He turned up on Friday but there was a coolness about him, definitely no flirting.
Amber has been trying to ring her best Kelly but she’s not been picking up her phone so Amber has felt pretty lonely. She even rang her mum in desperation for someone to talk to. Then, one morning on the news, she saw that her best friend Kelly had died but it didn’t say how. She googled Kelly, it said she committed suicide, Amber knew she wouldn’t do that. Detective Sheldon rang to say they had a name for the guy who had done her car and nicked her phone but she didn’t recognise the name and the firm had never represented him. Then Amber asked him to come over as there was something she wanted to discuss and she told the Detective her thoughts on Kelly and how she thought she had been murdered. She showed him the file from ten years earlier.
Will Amber’s stalker killer attack her? How will he destroy her life? Will the police catch the stalker?
This is a great psychological read and I got into it straight away. I have read this book in a day. It is well written with great descriptive prose. You can feel like you are living the scenes in your mind as you are reading them.
June 2, 2023
The Couple Next Door by Cole Baxter was such a delight to read. The author was able to create a main character that I not only hated, but I hoped and prayed for their demise to come after each page. It is not very often that I root for the bad guys, but Amber Dennis was such a spoiled and flawed human being that I wished it had happened to her sooner.
Now that you know that I am a bit of an asshole and sometimes I want the perceived good guys to lose, you should know that Amber Dennis is a ruthless and cutthroat defence lawyer in a firm trying to weasel her way up to that proverbial corner office. All that means is she will stop at nothing to get what she wants as long as she gets it, but there is one caveat. She has a stalker looking to destroy her life by any means necessary. Now does being an ambition human make you a terrible person, no. Does being a defence lawyer make you one, yes, but only until you need one do you actually like them.
What you may not like is that it is a slow burn that takes a few chapters to get into any actually important drama. Also, you may not like the title of the book as it may give away a little too much about the book and, in actuality, makes no sense for the book that was written. Still, to me that is excusable because most successful writers can't write titles for their own books.
If you can get past all that, then you are in for one hell of a ride and if you are like me, you can't wait to see them eat a piece of humble pie. What you get is a writer that makes you feel the anxiety of the characters that they write, so much so, that I will now have to go out and get another Cole Baxter book to see if they are able to get into the heads of their characters like they did here.
I promise you that if you are looking for something to read, you will not be disappointed with this masterfully written book. Just know that you will most like be rooting for the bad guys and I would have to ask the author if that is what they wanted, someday. A rollercoaster ride with a shitty human being, that ends with a bittersweet redemption of human growth, because despite what people think, people can change sometimes.
Keep reading and enjoy the rest of your day.
Chris Humphrey
Now that you know that I am a bit of an asshole and sometimes I want the perceived good guys to lose, you should know that Amber Dennis is a ruthless and cutthroat defence lawyer in a firm trying to weasel her way up to that proverbial corner office. All that means is she will stop at nothing to get what she wants as long as she gets it, but there is one caveat. She has a stalker looking to destroy her life by any means necessary. Now does being an ambition human make you a terrible person, no. Does being a defence lawyer make you one, yes, but only until you need one do you actually like them.
What you may not like is that it is a slow burn that takes a few chapters to get into any actually important drama. Also, you may not like the title of the book as it may give away a little too much about the book and, in actuality, makes no sense for the book that was written. Still, to me that is excusable because most successful writers can't write titles for their own books.
If you can get past all that, then you are in for one hell of a ride and if you are like me, you can't wait to see them eat a piece of humble pie. What you get is a writer that makes you feel the anxiety of the characters that they write, so much so, that I will now have to go out and get another Cole Baxter book to see if they are able to get into the heads of their characters like they did here.
I promise you that if you are looking for something to read, you will not be disappointed with this masterfully written book. Just know that you will most like be rooting for the bad guys and I would have to ask the author if that is what they wanted, someday. A rollercoaster ride with a shitty human being, that ends with a bittersweet redemption of human growth, because despite what people think, people can change sometimes.
Keep reading and enjoy the rest of your day.
Chris Humphrey
June 3, 2023
ARC RATING: 3.5/5.0✨
The Couple Next Door is a Psychological Suspense Thriller, written by Cole Baxter
**Thank you, Netgalley and Inkubator Books for providing an ARC of this book**
Amber Dennis is a newly promoted junior associate lawyer at one of the biggest firms in LA. Everything about her life is going well as planned ~ a step closer to becoming senior partner in her firm, having her dream apartment, and all the best things life can bring, what else can possibly go wrong in her seemingly perfect life?
WHAT I LIKE:
- Fast-paced story
- A very independent, self-made FMC.
- Contradicting personality and morals of the FMC. Sometimes you'll love her, even sympathize with her, other times you'll just hate her and simply think that she reaped what she sowed.
- FMC's intrusive thoughts and rationalizing thoughts
- Constant looking over your shoulder feels
- That subtle plot twist.
OTHER COMMENT/S:
While I do like a fast paced story, one element of a psychological thriller that is important for me is the edge of your seat feels that the story gives, unfortunately, this book lacks in that department, at least for me. It's just hard to emotionally connect with the FMC, but then again, maybe it was intended that way. While the story is fast-paced, it didnt start to get exciting until about 60%.
Nonetheless, I like being presented with a MC that has a very contradicting personality that really evoked feelings of anoyance. The book also provoked certain questions about morality ~ is everything in life really a tit for a tat? do people really deserve the bad things that happen to them or are they merely reaping what they have sowed?
RECOMMENDED FOR:
- People who likes 'looking over their shoulder' feels
- Individuals exploring the psychological suspense, mystery/thriller genre.
**The Couple Next Door is now available on Kindle Unlimited**
The Couple Next Door is a Psychological Suspense Thriller, written by Cole Baxter
**Thank you, Netgalley and Inkubator Books for providing an ARC of this book**
Amber Dennis is a newly promoted junior associate lawyer at one of the biggest firms in LA. Everything about her life is going well as planned ~ a step closer to becoming senior partner in her firm, having her dream apartment, and all the best things life can bring, what else can possibly go wrong in her seemingly perfect life?
WHAT I LIKE:
- Fast-paced story
- A very independent, self-made FMC.
- Contradicting personality and morals of the FMC. Sometimes you'll love her, even sympathize with her, other times you'll just hate her and simply think that she reaped what she sowed.
- FMC's intrusive thoughts and rationalizing thoughts
- Constant looking over your shoulder feels
- That subtle plot twist.
OTHER COMMENT/S:
While I do like a fast paced story, one element of a psychological thriller that is important for me is the edge of your seat feels that the story gives, unfortunately, this book lacks in that department, at least for me. It's just hard to emotionally connect with the FMC, but then again, maybe it was intended that way. While the story is fast-paced, it didnt start to get exciting until about 60%.
Nonetheless, I like being presented with a MC that has a very contradicting personality that really evoked feelings of anoyance. The book also provoked certain questions about morality ~ is everything in life really a tit for a tat? do people really deserve the bad things that happen to them or are they merely reaping what they have sowed?
RECOMMENDED FOR:
- People who likes 'looking over their shoulder' feels
- Individuals exploring the psychological suspense, mystery/thriller genre.
**The Couple Next Door is now available on Kindle Unlimited**
May 25, 2023
The couple next door is a fast-paced psychological thriller, in which we see the situation mainly through the eyes of the first-person narrator, Amber.
I enjoy reading psychological thrillers, but this story was very different from what I normally read. Rarely have I been so thrown off guard by a protagonist. The narrator, Amber, has a well-paying job at a law firm; she has recently become a junior partner. She has a rather high opinion of herself, and likes to look down on others. She is often on a collision course with those around her because of her arrogant attitude towards others.
I found her a terribly unpleasant person! She irritated me a lot with her rude and arrogant attitude, treating others like dirt. I would have liked to tell her not to be so weird and so utterly obnoxious.
Consequently, when she reports stalking to the police, her story is not really taken seriously. They think she brought it on herself.
Meanwhile, among other things, her phone is stolen, someone tries to set her flat on fire and she gets threatening emails....
Amber is convinced someone is targeting her, she gets scared and insecure, and starts doubting herself terribly.
I tried not to get so annoyed with her, and the way she interacts with others. After the fire in the apartment building, the story picks up speed, and although the story does get predictable there, the story was able to keep me interested until the end.
Thriller with mature content and an interesting angle.
Recommended for thriller fans! 3.5 stars for me. Thank you Inkubator Books & Booksprout for this advanced reader's copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I enjoy reading psychological thrillers, but this story was very different from what I normally read. Rarely have I been so thrown off guard by a protagonist. The narrator, Amber, has a well-paying job at a law firm; she has recently become a junior partner. She has a rather high opinion of herself, and likes to look down on others. She is often on a collision course with those around her because of her arrogant attitude towards others.
I found her a terribly unpleasant person! She irritated me a lot with her rude and arrogant attitude, treating others like dirt. I would have liked to tell her not to be so weird and so utterly obnoxious.
Consequently, when she reports stalking to the police, her story is not really taken seriously. They think she brought it on herself.
Meanwhile, among other things, her phone is stolen, someone tries to set her flat on fire and she gets threatening emails....
Amber is convinced someone is targeting her, she gets scared and insecure, and starts doubting herself terribly.
I tried not to get so annoyed with her, and the way she interacts with others. After the fire in the apartment building, the story picks up speed, and although the story does get predictable there, the story was able to keep me interested until the end.
Thriller with mature content and an interesting angle.
Recommended for thriller fans! 3.5 stars for me. Thank you Inkubator Books & Booksprout for this advanced reader's copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 12, 2025
Amber Dennis is a high powered lawyer with plenty of potential enemies. She begins to receive threatening emails which she ignores until her car is trashed and her phone is stolen. Her life is also endangered so she begins to take the threats seriously…
The Couple Next Door is a psychological thriller set in LA. I have previously reviewed The Perfect Suitor by Cole Baxter.
Amber is utterly ruthless and not a nice person. It was so difficult to like her despite the terrible things that start to happen to her. Her confidence is severely shaken when she starts to endure a hate campaign against her. But the list of potential culprits is pretty long as she makes enemies so easily.
The book is written from Amber’s first person perspctive but even this fails to endear her to the reader as we see her machinations, unpleasant thoughts and less than scrupulous behaviour in her personal and professional lives. In some ways I admire Amber’s ambition and she works within the law, but her moral decisions are difficult to excuse.
The writing is fast paced and there are plenty of dramatic incidents as the campaign against Amber escalates. I enjoyed the mystery of trying to work out who was responsible and their motive. My only gripe is the title doesn’t seem to fit the book particularly well.
The Couple Next Door is an entertaining thriller and I liked the unlikeability of the main character.
The Couple Next Door is a psychological thriller set in LA. I have previously reviewed The Perfect Suitor by Cole Baxter.
Amber is utterly ruthless and not a nice person. It was so difficult to like her despite the terrible things that start to happen to her. Her confidence is severely shaken when she starts to endure a hate campaign against her. But the list of potential culprits is pretty long as she makes enemies so easily.
The book is written from Amber’s first person perspctive but even this fails to endear her to the reader as we see her machinations, unpleasant thoughts and less than scrupulous behaviour in her personal and professional lives. In some ways I admire Amber’s ambition and she works within the law, but her moral decisions are difficult to excuse.
The writing is fast paced and there are plenty of dramatic incidents as the campaign against Amber escalates. I enjoyed the mystery of trying to work out who was responsible and their motive. My only gripe is the title doesn’t seem to fit the book particularly well.
The Couple Next Door is an entertaining thriller and I liked the unlikeability of the main character.
June 20, 2023
A hotshot lawyer. A threatening email. And a stalker hell bent on revenge.
Hotshot defense lawyer Amber Dennis has it all. She's a successful attorney and the proud owner of a luxurious new condo, an expensive car, and a fat bank account. Not to mention a blossoming relationship with the gorgeous David Grant.
Amber's perfect life is shattered when she starts receiving threatening emails. At first, she brushes them off. After all, she can't help but make a few enemies in her line of work.
But when the threats become more real, she can no longer ignore them. Someone out there wants to destroy her. Who could it be, and why are they targeting her?
As her world implodes, Amber decides she's not going down without a fight. She's determined to find out who is threatening her and why.
What she doesn’t realise is her stalker is a lot closer than she thinks. And convinced that Amber has wronged them terribly, they'll stop at nothing to make her pay the ultimate price.
This is a brilliant read.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great suspense and action with wonderful world building.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
Hotshot defense lawyer Amber Dennis has it all. She's a successful attorney and the proud owner of a luxurious new condo, an expensive car, and a fat bank account. Not to mention a blossoming relationship with the gorgeous David Grant.
Amber's perfect life is shattered when she starts receiving threatening emails. At first, she brushes them off. After all, she can't help but make a few enemies in her line of work.
But when the threats become more real, she can no longer ignore them. Someone out there wants to destroy her. Who could it be, and why are they targeting her?
As her world implodes, Amber decides she's not going down without a fight. She's determined to find out who is threatening her and why.
What she doesn’t realise is her stalker is a lot closer than she thinks. And convinced that Amber has wronged them terribly, they'll stop at nothing to make her pay the ultimate price.
This is a brilliant read.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great suspense and action with wonderful world building.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
June 15, 2023
Read this if you...
enjoy a strong female MC
are drawn to a slow burn that turns into a powerful punch
like "look over your shoulder" feels
What I loved:
Overall, I found this book to be well-planned with a solid storyline. I always enjoy a strong female MC, but Amber Dennis is all that and more. She has everything she might possibly want, from an extravagant apartment and dream job to the perfect SO. As she climbs the ladder as junior partner at her law firm, she realizes that someone isn't happy about her seemingly "perfect" life. Threatening emails and sinister threats begin to take over her life, and have her head on a constant swivel. But, who is it? Will Amber find her stalker before they destroy her once and for all?
What wasn't my favorite:
There wasn't much I didn't enjoy about this book, but I did feel that I had practically finished the book before things really started to pick up. On the flip side, though, Baxter created a storyline that makes you think you have everything figured out, while you really don't. That ending!
Credit:
Thank you Zooloo's Book Tours and Inkubator Books for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
enjoy a strong female MC
are drawn to a slow burn that turns into a powerful punch
like "look over your shoulder" feels
What I loved:
Overall, I found this book to be well-planned with a solid storyline. I always enjoy a strong female MC, but Amber Dennis is all that and more. She has everything she might possibly want, from an extravagant apartment and dream job to the perfect SO. As she climbs the ladder as junior partner at her law firm, she realizes that someone isn't happy about her seemingly "perfect" life. Threatening emails and sinister threats begin to take over her life, and have her head on a constant swivel. But, who is it? Will Amber find her stalker before they destroy her once and for all?
What wasn't my favorite:
There wasn't much I didn't enjoy about this book, but I did feel that I had practically finished the book before things really started to pick up. On the flip side, though, Baxter created a storyline that makes you think you have everything figured out, while you really don't. That ending!
Credit:
Thank you Zooloo's Book Tours and Inkubator Books for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
September 13, 2023
Wow.........The Couple Next Door: by Cole Baxter was a gripping psychological thriller that just grabbed you into the book from the very beginning till the end. Its a roller coaster read with lots of twists and turns throughout that will have you sitting on the edge of your seat. The main character Amber Denis is a very ambitious defence attorney and her job is her life! a proud owner of a luxurious new condo, an expensive car, and a fat bank account. Plus, a blossoming relationship with the gorgeous David Grant. But most of all she loves the pressure and buzz she gets from her job.
Then, out of the blue she starts receiving threatening emails this is just after her big promotion in her law firm. At first; she disregards them and doesn't say anything to anyone, until they become more forceful. Her car is vandalised. Then, more things go wrong in Amber’s life the threats become aggressive behaviours escalate.
Someone out there wants to destroy her!
Who could it be, and why are they targeting her?
This book is Sooooo Good! I ended up reading it to the early hours in the morning.
Then, out of the blue she starts receiving threatening emails this is just after her big promotion in her law firm. At first; she disregards them and doesn't say anything to anyone, until they become more forceful. Her car is vandalised. Then, more things go wrong in Amber’s life the threats become aggressive behaviours escalate.
Someone out there wants to destroy her!
Who could it be, and why are they targeting her?
This book is Sooooo Good! I ended up reading it to the early hours in the morning.
June 3, 2023
Hotshot lawyer, Amber Dennis, has worked hard to earn her spot as junior partner at her law firm, even if she has made enemies in the process. With a new job, luxurious new condo and a blossoming new relationship, what could go wrong? After receiving a few threatening emails, things take a turn and develop into a more serious state of affairs, Amber begins to worry that her career and picture perfect life are at jeopardy.
The Couple Next Door is an action-packed story that will keep you guessing as the story unfolds. Amber will do everything in her power to take down the person who is ruining her success and obstructing the path to her ultimate dream job as senior partner.
I enjoyed this fast-paced thriller and was eager to discover the identity of Amber's secret stalker with the wide variety of suspects. Thank you to Cole Baxter, Inkubator Books, and NetGalley for the ARC and opportunity to leave this review.
The Couple Next Door is an action-packed story that will keep you guessing as the story unfolds. Amber will do everything in her power to take down the person who is ruining her success and obstructing the path to her ultimate dream job as senior partner.
I enjoyed this fast-paced thriller and was eager to discover the identity of Amber's secret stalker with the wide variety of suspects. Thank you to Cole Baxter, Inkubator Books, and NetGalley for the ARC and opportunity to leave this review.
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