Just the Nicest Couple by Mary Kubica
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of Just the Nicest Couple in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
The Gist
Just the Nicest Couple by Mary Kubica is a disappointing thriller that fails to live up to the expectations set by the author’s previous works.
The Details
One of the things that disappointed me was the lackluster plot. From the outset, the story feels predictable and derivative. Instead of keeping readers on the edge of their seats, the narrative unfolds in a formulaic manner. There was no tension or suspense. There were no moments of wanting to grip the book anticipation of what might happen next.
Furthermore, the characters in Just the Nicest Couple are poorly developed and fail to resonate with readers. The protagonist is neither interesting nor uninteresting. He just is there somehow. His motivations that feel forced and unconvincing. Supporting characters fare no better. The dialogue that is stilted and unnatural. It hinders the development of meaningful connections between characters.
The writing style in Just the Nicest Couple is passable. While the prose is functional, it does lack some depth and complexity. Descriptions are often overly simplistic, failing to evoke the sense of atmosphere and mood that is crucial in a thriller.
The Verdict
Overall, Just the Nicest Couple is an okay thriller. With an okay plot, okay characters. It did keep my interest, though, throughout the entire story. It’s an okay story.
