Review: The Perfect Couple by Brenda Novak

Posted August 19, 2009 by Casee in Reviews | 8 Comments

Genres: Romantic Suspense

Casee‘s review of The Perfect Couple (The Last Stand Series, Book 4) by Brenda Novak.

One afternoon in May, Zoe Duncan’s thirteen-year-old daughter goes missing from her own backyard. The police think Samantha ran away because she’s unhappy about her mother’s upcoming marriage—but Zoe doesn’t believe it. In fact, she’s willing to do anything to bring Sam home, even if it means losing her job, her beautiful home, her fiancé. Even if it means divulging all her secrets to a private investigator.

Jonathan Stivers is a P.I. who donates his time to The Last Stand, a victims’ charity in Sacramento. He’s good at what he does, the best. But never has he had fewer leads to work with—or been more attracted to a client. Jonathan’s sure of only one thing: Sam was taken by someone close to the family. He doesn’t know how close until he realizes that the “perfect” couple next door is anything but….

Brenda Novak is one of those authors that gets better with each book. After releasing the books in her The Last Stand trilogy last year, she obviously decided to continue it. Which totally works. The excerpt in the back of Watch Me was awesome (read the excerpt here). I wanted to read The Perfect Couple right then and there.

The plot is definitely a compelling one. A seemingly happy, “normal” couple in a high-middle class neighborhood are actually murdering pedophiles. Colin Bell is obviously a sociopath of the highest order. While it can be argued that his wife is one of his victims, I didn’t completely buy it.

Tiffany Bell snatches Sam Duncan on a whim. The thirteen year old girl next door caught her at a bad time. When going to dump the body of her husband’s latest “pet”, she loses him b/c he wasn’t dead like she thought he was. Taking Sam was like killing two birds with one stone. Sam couldn’t say anything about spying on her through the fence and Colin will have a new pet.

Zoe moves herself and Sam into her fiance’s house b/c she wants to give Sam the best life that she knows how. When Sam disappears from their backyard, Zoe doesn’t know what to think or do. What she does know is that Sam’s disappearance forced her to take a serious look at her relationship with Anton (the fiance).

The only person that seems to be willing to actively help her is Jonathon Strivers. She met one of the founders of The Last Stand when she was a victim herself. Jonathon’s help seems like a godsend and Zoe will take any and all help she can get. Contrary to what the police and even Anton believe, Zoe knows that Sam didn’t run away.

After meeting Zoe, Jonathon wants nothing more than to find Sam for her. The problem is that he has few leads and no witnesses. Investigating all avenues possible, the truth that confronts him is not a pleasant one. It had to have been someone that Sam and/or Zoe knew. I found the romance between Zoe and Jonathon to be very believable. They are both people w/ relationship issues and it’s not something that is quickly wrapped up.

I found it very interesting how Brenda wrote Colin into the story. The joy that Colin took in “helping” Zoe find Sam was gripping. He kept insinuating himself into Zoe’s life, all the while her daughter was being treated like an animal in his bonus room. The thought of something like this actually happening is very creepy.

I lived in the area that the book takes place. I have to give Brenda props b/c there was not one time that I said “it’s impossible to go there from [insert place here]. I’ve had a problem w/ that in the past and it yanks me out of the book every single time.

If you’re looking for a good romantic suspense series to start, look no further.

4.25 out of 5.

This book is available from Mira. You can buy it here or here in e-format.

Other books in the series:

Trust Me Stop Me Watch Me The Perfect Liar The Perfect Murder


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8 responses to “Review: The Perfect Couple by Brenda Novak

  1. I enjoyed the book as well and am looking forward to the next in the series. I do hope we pick up some more of Zoe’s and Jonathan’s romance in the next book, because I wasn’t ready for this book to be over. At least as far as their romance goes. As far as Colin, he didn’t get near enough pain for me. But I am just blood thirsty like that. 🙂 KeriM

  2. KeriM, the next book sounds even better. Have you read the blurb?

    Lori, let me know what you think!

    Book Junkie, start with Trust Me. It was my favorite of the first three.

  3. Anonymous

    Casee, yes I read the blurb and am looking forward to it. I am also going to take advantage of that coupon at the back of the book. 🙂

    Book Junkie, my favorite BN series is the Stillwater Trilogy with Dead Giveaway, Clay’s story being my favorite. As far as standalones I love Taking the Heat. KeriM

  4. Just wanted to drop by and say thanks for the lovely review. I’m glad that you enjoyed THE PERFECT COUPLE and I’m getting excited for the release of THE PERFECT LIAR next week. Library Journal just gave me a spectacular review on that book so my fingers are crossed you’ll like it just as well.

    I’m enjoying reading your other reviews as well.

    Here’s wishing you many more hours of reading pleasure!

  5. Just wanted to drop by and say thanks for the lovely review. I’m glad that you enjoyed THE PERFECT COUPLE and I’m getting excited for the release of THE PERFECT LIAR next week. Library Journal just gave me a spectacular review on that book so my fingers are crossed you’ll like it just as well.

    I’m enjoying reading your other reviews as well.

    Here’s wishing you many more hours of reading pleasure!

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