The Couples

by Lauren MacKenzie

Eva looked out of the window of the charmingly crumbling guest house and thought she might be sick. She could see Frank lying on the grass in last night's clothes - it wasn't clear whether he was conscious or not. Her husband, Shay, was in bed. She loved him, of course she did, just right now the person she most wanted to see was Connor. She didn't want to think about what had happened to Bea or how Lizzie was feeling . . .

Frank's birthday had given them an excuse for a night away. The three couples, caught between caring for the children and worrying about their parents, were ready to have a good time. The drink flowed, Dublin felt a long way away and when Frank proposed they swap partners for the night, they forgot they were stressed about their finances and exhausted by their responsibilities. In the heat of the moment, it's deliciously reckless, and makes them all feel young again. The women text the man of their choice.

One night. No obligations. No expectations. No falling in love. The only rule? No falling in love.

But life doesn't follow the rules.

Genres: Fiction, Novels, Contemporary, Irish Literature, Adult Fiction

Paperback

First published January 1, 2023

Reviews

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Hachette Australia for sending me this book for review.

I really enjoyed this book. It was the perfect escape from reality book. What attracted me to the book was the synopsis. Very much a character driven book in which we get to know the couples and their families. Waiting to see what evolved from everyone's decisions kept me engaged from start to finish. Sometimes the grass isnt always greener on the other side. Or is it? There are many characters to keep track of , make sure you remember who is with who !

[Becky C · Rating 2 out of 5]

A local book shop recommendation that seemed so promising but sadly didn't enjoy quite as much as expected. I adore messy, human characters in chaotic relationships, and enjoy plenty of Irish authors, but this seemed to be written for someone else.

Half of the struggle was keeping track of who's married to who, who's sleeping with each other, and which kids belong to which couple, as well as various side characters, which is tough when the main characters are fairly bland and recalling day-to-day details of their lives that I had little to no interest in. There was some drama, but didn't feel invested enough in the cast for it to be truly satisfying. The ending seemed disappointingly hurried, which would be more of a shame if I'd enjoyed the rest of the story.

I think this would be better suited to readers in their 40s-50s who prefer a slower-paced story and identify more with the mature characters and their complex family drama - sadly just not for me.

[Booked 📚 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was intrigued by the stunning cover and the premise of this novel however the style just didn’t work for me and I think this was a case of right book but the wrong reader. My taste in books is more genre geared and commercial whereas the execution of this novel is very literary.
This is a slow burning read following Frank who is celebrating his birthday in a fancy, posh house his friends have rented for the weekend. One night they decide to partner swap. One rule - the woman texts the husband she is interested and the rule is no falling in love. The next morning they all wake up unsure as to what happened the night before but their lives are indefinitely changed as marriages that were already on the rocks start to crumble and people start to fall in love.
I think my expectations were that this would be a hilarious, satirical read about privileged people in the style of Liane Moriarty or Herman Koch. Unfortunately it wasn’t. It’s a very slow read following three heterosexual couples. To be honest I found the beginning slow and confusing, in terms of who is married to who. Also I just couldn’t relate to the characters and the story. I think I’m the wrong reader for this. But thank you to the publishers and Netgalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

[Lily · Rating 2 out of 5]

When I read the blurb, I was so utterly intrigued. Reading this book -although fairly short- took me some time now because the pacing was so slow and nothing like I had expected. The only thing keeping my from DNfing the book was that I wanted to find out what exactly happened at this birthday party night but we never get told! I followed these 6 dull and weirdly similar characters and numerous side-characters and got nothing out of it, no actual character development and it all seemed so pointless and negative. Not even tragic and sad, just negative vibes and boredom. I could to resonate with any of the characters at all and the plot made me feel pity for all of them, like watching trash TV but not the funny kind but the pity kind. The last 20 pages were the worst! No one asks for "12 years later" chapters, especially when they give you more unnecessary details and even more negativity! I really wished to enjoy this book, I thought I was about a spicy adventurous night of switching partners but what I got was the total opposite, huge disappointment! The writing style was quite enjoyable and easy to breeze through, that's the positive aspect I'm taking from this book.

[Jas K (bookgramer__) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

This book had me hooked from the first page, and I finished reading it in two sittings! The characters totally messed with my head, I was rooting for them in some chapters and judging their actions in others.

I loved how one seemingly innocuous idea during a party spiraled into 3 couples questioning everything they stood for, including their lives and their marriage. It's best imo to go into stories blind in order to avoid accidental spoilers, and although this is not a thriller, there is quite a lot of suspense!

Nothing felt far-fetched, and at the same time, I couldn't believe why people were acting a certain way! 😆

Can you tell I love books that mess with your mind? This one will stay with me for a while and encourage me to think before I make rash decisions.

[Craig and Phil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Hachette for sending us a copy to read and review.
A couples get away represents good times with old friends, an escape from children and from everyday reality.
Alcohol flows, flames rekindled and destinies changed as the weekend unfolds.
The three couples are celebrating a birthday and escaping their own personal and financial issues to let loose.
A partner swap for the night will make things a little complicated as the women can pick the man they fancy.
History, attraction and myriad of other emotions will come into play as they all have to forge through the coming weeks and act upon human urges.
With children, aging parents and mental health are all at stake as self centred acts take place.
An expose’ showing how normal people live their lives and are subject to attractions and strong feelings.
The journey spanning years allows a reader indulgence to find out the repercussions.
I am huge fan of the Irish writing community and an endorsement by one of my favourites Liz Nugent, was enough to make me select this read.
It was enthralling and compelling read that had me immersed.
It’s always interesting to see how life choices can play out.
Another Irish author to add to my list.

[Eleanor Horn · Rating 1 out of 5]

ughhhh I thought about giving this 2 stars for being just unenjoyable..... but then a main character inexplicably died in a car accident 5 pages from the end and so it gets an irredeemable 1 star from me.

[Isabella · Rating 1 out of 5]

Too many bland characters and I couldn't keep track of who was sleeping with who.

1.5/5

[Aoife Cassidy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lauren Mackenzie grew up in Australia but lives in Dublin with her family. The Couples is her debut novel and you can tell that she’s an experienced screenwriter (she was one of the writers on Bachelors Walk) - The Couples is made for a tv adaptation.

Interestingly, Mackenzie has said The Couples was inspired by her parents’ open marriage. She grew up in suburban Sydney in the 1970s and recalls nights where the kids would all be despatched upstairs with lemonade and crisps while the adults got drunk and partied downstairs with only one rule - don’t fall in love.

A suburban drama set in Dublin during the early days of the financial crisis, The Couples is about three couples in their forties who, freed from the shackles of children, elderly parents and stressful finances for one night away, recklessly agree to swap partners for the night with no strings attached. The book is mainly about the aftermath of that decision, and the complicated emotions that flow from it.

There’s a cast of characters to get to grips with - the couples, their parents, their children - but the characters are well-drawn and come alive on the page. Frank in particular, the gregarious chancer living on his wits and Beatrice, the beautiful, in-control German who hates Frank but just can’t resist him.

The pace of the book is slow at times, and I felt more could have been made of the night itself where the fateful decision to swap partners is made - more build up, more context. Towards the end of the book, the story jumps forward in time by several years which made no sense to me (it’s the first time hop in the novel).

Overall though, an entertaining, well-written book from an author with a keen eye for the little details. Recommended for those who might be at the applicable life stage! 3.5/5⭐️

*Many thanks to @elaineeganbooks @hachetteireland for the #gifted copy of The Couples. The Couples is on Kindle special at the moment for 85p, a bargain.

[Sarah AF · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a "me" book and it was the first time probably all year that I've been completely consumed by a book to the point where I just keep reading and reading! What can I say? Ill-advised, angsty romance in literature just seems to hit the right spot for me.

What this book really got to grips with was the notion that people wouldn't look elsewhere if there wasn't something wrong in their existing relationship. Now, what that "something wrong" is wasn't linear or rigid, it was the story of three couples who had simply lost their way (or perhaps should never have found their way in the first place). When your life is defined by your career (and, by extension, financial concerns) and parenthood, it's perhaps a natural consequence that the relationship that was once the heart of a home somewhat loses out. I really felt the frustrations of Lizzie and Eva in particular, trying to grapple with the demands of life and feeling like it all fell to them while their reckless husband/partner led to their struggles in the first place.

You have to think that such close friends for so many years would think twice before betraying one another and the long-term consequences that these betrayals would have? Not really. In the case of Connor and Eve, you felt their getting a feel for one another and tiptoe-ing around each other to avoid giving into their feelings, but gosh did Bea and Frank throw themselves into a destructive affair with barely any skimming of the emotional surface! It was the one aspect of the book that I felt was a little lacking, particularly in light of Lizzie's choice to deliberately bury her head in the sand. Such momentous decisions and the fallout really need the character groundwork to build the foundations.

Gosh, I loved this messy, messy book though.

[Gabriel Levc · Rating 3 out of 5]

For the most part, I really liked this book. It‘s a story about three couples, being very human and making questionable decisions and then dealing with the aftermath of them. The writing is enjoyable and the plot, for the most part, stays exciting yet believable.

However, the book increasingly lost me. The author does a lot of telling the reader what happened only after it happened in the book. And while in moderation that is fine, I got tired of some of the key moments of the book not being narrated at all over time.

Also, the ending is really not great. Two (very short) chapters before it, we see a potential way forward close in a touching and believable way. Then for some reason, we have a huge timeskip that does not add much, only for tragedy to strike and the way just closed opening up again. This is unsatisfactory to say the least, and it feels like the author did not want to stick to her own decisions.

[Carly · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Couples was a mixed bag. Scandalous, but not in the way I expected.

The premise wasn't that interesting to me as the fallout after Frank's birthday was predictable. The other twists further down the line got crazier though, and I did have a strong need to find out how on earth it all ended. Unfortunately, the way it ended wasn't bitter enough for my tastes - a more rom-com direction than was to be expected.

Mackenzie has a page-turning writing style and creates several characters that feel real. My main takeaway from this book was how children and marriage complicate situations that would be simpler without either of them.

The main issue with this book, aside from the cover art, and a few bizarre choices (namely the line '...as if they'd emerged from a vigorous sexual encounter,' written about two children - gross), was how absurdly villainous Frank was. It made his ability to charm multiple women and maintain several friends impossible to comprehend. A prime example of this is when he comments on not knowing which of his wife's tears to 'pay attention to,' while knowing he had instigated the pain and continued an affair with her friend under her nose. He is the only irredeemable character in this novel and I didn't understand it.

[Saga Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5
Deliciously dysfunctional, the story follows three middle-aged couples and their struggle with marriage, money and family. The portrayals were realistic, and the storyline was not overly predictable although the topic at hand can easily become such. A satisfying read.

[Susie Hyland · Rating 3 out of 5]

More of a 3.5 - full of twists and turns

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

There was a contradiction in this book, that it was both too long and too short. With six characters driving the story, each with their own personal lives and attachments, there was a lack of in depth analysis of any of their actions and motivations. The novel opens with the birthday party and subsequent intoxication that leads to a mysterious tension the next day. Tip-toeing around who remembers what about the previous night was a great tactic by Mackenzie. Though, the story was predictable enough to figure out that affairs were the source of awkwardness and tension. My only wish with this book was that it explored the six characters prior to the birthday shenanigans. With more understanding of the pre-birthday dynamics of the group, the emotional and physical affairs that happen after could have held much more weight. As it was, we readers only got to experience the fall out, with no idea if feelings had been simmering prior to the party game, or if any marriages were already on the ropes. In this way, The Couples was too short. An additional few chapters in the beginning to establish the setting and characters would have aided the story in so many ways. But simultaneously, the fall out of the birthday party seemed to drag on forever, and was at times frustrating to read. While the affairs, divorces, and dramas were entertaining and quick to read, they still lacked substance. Regardless, The Couples is a book that can be devoured in one sitting, especially if you can get attached to one character. While not a perfect book, it was an unserious and entertaining read that doesn’t presume to be anything else.

3/5

[Lauren Ayers · Rating 4 out of 5]

love irish writers and chaotic relationships

[Sinead Warren · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Couples by Lauren MacKenzie* is an upcoming debut that, initially, suggested itself to be some kind of middle-aged suburbanite reimagining of The Secret History but quickly became something more akin to a romantic thriller. Three heterosexual couples rent a country pile for one of their number’s birthday weekend and, unshackled from the demands of kids, financial woes and work, they all get a bit loose. A flippant drunken suggestion at swapping partners for the night sets the six adults on paths they never could have anticipated 24 hours prior.

The book largely centres on the year following that ill-fated night and what did (or did not) happen. It is a fairly slow read and it took me a long time initially to recall who was married to who which definitely took me out of the story a bit. There are some really emotional parts, as well as some really ludicrous ones, but the story flows nicely and is an easy read. I do wish the author, who acknowledged that she wrote this book in fits and starts over a number of years, had stuck with the darker, Secret History vibe of the early chapters, mainly because that’s a book I’d like to read if written through an upper middle class Irish lens!

[Harry · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

There was a lot to love with this -— even though it’s quite a slow burn, I love character-driven novels with messy, complicated protagonists and palpable tension (which Lauren Mackenzie creates very successfully).

However I really felt after a while things got far too complicated and character motivations became so blurry and confusing that I wasn’t even convinced the author had knowledge of what they actually wanted. The ending really also left me wondering what the point of it all was? I was getting shades of ‘the grass isn’t always greener’ but then things more or less ended up back the same way they started, which ultimately disappointed me as it felt a little like all of the big dramas that unfolded in the story had very little consequence by the end.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

I could do no better than the blurb of this book to sum it up without spoilers. I went in expecting a dark brown-up version of The Secret History but quickly realised that this wasn’t that book. There were parts I absolutely loved- the tension at parts made me hold my breath and I couldn’t seem to stop reading on a night. It would be remiss of me to say that it didn’t take me a long while to get to grips with the many characters and, because there were so many, struggle to route for just one. I could see this book being adapted for television- and I’d definitely watch it.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars | This is one of those books that I couldn't put down once I started it! It's not a thriller, but there was a strong feeling of suspense throughout that kept me flipping pages. I really enjoyed Mackenzie's writing; it reminded me a bit of Sally Rooney. And I thought her descriptions and observations about domestic life were fresh.

It might take you a bit of time to settle in and get to know all the characters, but I was impressed with how well drawn out they were. I'm eager to read more from Mackenzie in the future!

[Sheila · Rating 2 out of 5]

3 couples go away for a weekend to celebrate a 48 th birthday. As the drink flows, the suggestion is made that they swop partners for the night, no strings attached.
And so begins the destruction of 3 marriages as each person questions what they have and what they want from life. Friendships break up, guilt abounds and the Nanak gazing is intense. I had to keep a written not of who was married to whom and who owned which child. Interesting , poor writing but wouldn’t recommend it

[Preethi Joseph · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too many characters. I was all the time confused between who was who and kept turning back . A decent read otherwise

[Amber · Rating 1 out of 5]

1.5 ….. this was painfully slow…. And it was quiet confusing as to who was married to whom

[Emer Tannam · Rating 2 out of 5]

This started off well enough but by the end of it I was thoroughly sick of all the characters, who were all horrible people.

[Derval · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too many characters and not one of them was credible or likeable. The entire premise was unbelievable in fact.

[róisín · Rating 2 out of 5]

eastenders core but in a bad way

[Ceri · Rating 1 out of 5]

I just couldn't get into this one. Not one for me, unfortunately.

[Mairead Hearne (swirlandthread.com) · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Review ~ 4.5*

The Couples by Lauren Mackenzie was published July 6th with John Murray and is described by Donal Ryan as'a blockbuster in waiting'.

Three couples head off on a trip together to celebrate a 48th birthday. One night away without children, one night where they can let their hair down and relive their youth without guilt or regret. That was the plan, but what happened was an implosion of relationships and friendships, an unexpected shifting of the scales in this beautiful and evocative read.

'The first time Eva saw Shay, it was at a rave on an eco-farm in Leitrim where he was working. He was twenty-two, she was a year older. With or without drugs, he bounced around like Tigger, smiling, always happy.' Now married with twins, Ella and Katie, Eva is a school teacher and Shay is a landscaper. Like all couples they have financial constraints but they manage along, going through the motions of daily living, with routines and budgeting and managing to make ends meet. Since the financial crash, the media was full of depressing news and a night away, without children, with their best friends, was an unexpected and exciting prospect.

Bea and Conor seem to have it all. A glamorous couple with a lovely home they have one child, Fiach and Jaro, their Jack Russell. Their life runs like clockwork with Bea at the helm. Bea has always been organised which was part of the attraction when Conor met her six years previously. Their 'home was a two-storey over-basement Georgian terrace on Grantham Street; the renovation cost nearly as much as the house and the repayments continued to be a strain every month. And now the house was only worth half what they'd spent on it.'

Lizzie and Frank - 'they used to be the kind of couple that took risks, scoffed at rules, leaned into the dark. And now they were middle-aged, monogamous and mortgaged. the only thing they'd avoided was marriage but they were as good as, just fools for denying themselves the wedding party and the presents.' They have four children between them. Georgia and Jimmy, nine and six, with Lizzie having a daughter, Maya, now fifteen, from a previous relationship and Frank a son, Jack, of a similar age. Frank is a frustrated film-maker with a career that never really took off. Now it's his forty-eighth birthday and his friends are insisting on a party to mark the occasion. Frank is broke and despondent but he acquiesces to this night away as his friends offer it as a birthday present, a treat to mark the occasion. Once upon a time, Lizzie had been an actor with great potential, but her career stalled when her personal life got complicated.

On arriving at Hardwood House, an old country estate in Co. Laois, the three couples have dinner with the host and then set off to the local where things take a very unexpected turn. After a few drinks, inhibitions are loosened and Frank makes a suggestion that the six mix things up a little. He introduces a party game, with 'no obligations or no expectations', one involving partners swapping. It is meant as a joke, a bit of fun but as the following morning rolls around, the reality of what may or may not have happened threatens to destroy the friendship. Are all parties guilty of crossing a line? Does what goes on tour stay on tour? Can the three couples rescue their relationships?

The Couples is a wonderful tapestry of interconnected lives and the implications for all when things get complicated. It's a book described by the Irish Times as 'Normal People for married people' which really is a very apt description. Lauren Mackenzie's observations on relationships, family and married life are all wonderfully depicted. There is humour mingling in close proximity with high drama. There is a sadness for times lost and a fear for what lies ahead. Life is complicated at the best of times but for Eva, Shane, Bea, Conor, Lizzie and Frank, they have all reached a threshold and are now confused, pained, angered and grieving for what was and what could have been. Beautifully rendered from the opening pages, The Couples is a wistful, smart and acutely-observed read, a novel that lingers long after the final pages are turned. It really would make an outstanding stage-play!

[Mikha · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Couples by Lauren Mackenzie revolves around three interconnected couples: Shay & Eva, Frank & Lizzie, and Conor & Beatrice, who all share a close friendship. The story begins with a tantalizing glimpse of their arrival at a country house for Frank's birthday celebration, but intriguingly, the narrative unfolds from the moments after that night. The events of Frank's birthday night are shrouded in mystery, and as the story progresses, the couples grapple with the aftermath and navigate their feelings.

Each couple faces unique challenges with their family and social status. Using Frank's birthday as an excuse for fun and indulgently behavior, they give into their desires and enjoy themselves without restraint.
However, being mature adults, their actions inevitably carry consequences. The novel delves into themes of loss, unfulfilled longing, and a sense of dissatisfaction with life.

I would recommend The Couples to readers seeking an engaging and intricate narrative as it weaves an addictive and complex storyline, drawing readers into the messy yet captivating lives of these intertwined characters. This is definitely the perfect book to get one out of a reading slump.

Thank you to the publisher for sending me an ARC!

*This review is also posted on my bookstagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/CvKcD9urZ...

[Gabrielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

the back cover described this book as “normal people” for married couples - I’m not married, but give me an irish woman author and story about complicated relationship and i’m SAT!

This enthralling read begins with three Dublin couples going on a weekend away to celebrate one of the husbands’ fortieth birthdays. The night gets out of hand and some infidelity transpires, although only certain members of the group remember everything, and those that do have their own agendas with what to conceal.

After they return to their normal lives (this is about 90% of the book, which I liked), with children, jobs, and their normal routines, the impact of this night is felt intimately and with disastrous effects on all of the couples. I’m keeping this vague because I don’t want to spoil anything, but what I liked the most about this novel was how realistically it portrayed infidelity, as the characters’ moral choices have continuously unexpected consequences. I really liked how and when the perspective changes came about as well - it didn’t follow a set scheme for switching the character’s POVs but it felt thoughtful and organic when it did happen.

This was an unexpected gem and I recommend it highly - very dramatic and very very readable!
Another win for Irish women’s lit.