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    The Perfect Couple
    The Perfect Couple
    The Perfect Couple
    Audiobook12 hours

    The Perfect Couple

    Written by Elin Hilderbrand

    Narrated by Erin Bennett

    4/5

    ()

    About this audiobook

    From New York Times bestselling author Elin Hilderbrand, comes a novel about the many ways family can fill our lives with love...if they don't kill us first.

    *New York Times bestseller*

    It's Nantucket wedding season, also known as summer-the sight of a bride racing down Main Street is as common as the sun setting at Madaket Beach. The Otis-Winbury wedding promises to be an event to remember: the groom's wealthy parents have spared no expense to host a lavish ceremony at their oceanfront estate.
    But it's going to be memorable for all the wrong reasons after tragedy strikes: a body is discovered in Nantucket Harbor just hours before the ceremony-and everyone in the wedding party is suddenly a suspect. As Chief of Police Ed Kapenash interviews the bride, the groom, the groom's famous mystery-novelist mother, and even a member of his own family, he discovers that every wedding is a minefield-and no couple is perfect. Featuring beloved characters from The Castaways, Beautiful Day, and A Summer Affair, The Perfect Couple proves once again that Elin Hilderbrand is the queen of the summer beach read.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherHachette Audio
    Release dateJun 19, 2018
    ISBN9781549168819
    The Perfect Couple
    Author

    Elin Hilderbrand

    Elin Hilderbrand grew up in Collegeville, Pennsylvania, and is a graduate of the Johns Hopkins University and the University of Iowa Writers' Workshop, where she was a teaching/writing fellow. Her short fiction has appeared in Seventeen, The Massachusetts Review, and The Colorado Review. She lives with her family in Nantucket, Massachusetts.

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    Reviews for The Perfect Couple

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    • 4/5

      Aug 15, 2024

      A young woman is getting married on Nantucket. Through story telling we are finding out her and her fiance's history, as well as the contemporary events of the family and wedding party. An entertaining history of the island society, expectations, with some mystery and drama. A light and captivating read.
    • 4/5

      Apr 13, 2022

      The Perfect Couple is an engrossing and entertaining mystery. Celeste was swept off her feet by the charming Benji who comes from a wealthy, well-connected family. Celeste is the Assistant Director of the Bronx Zoo, the only child of parents she adores. Her father, Bruce, works in the suit department at Neiman-Marcus. Karen’s medical state has gutted Celeste — and she doesn’t even know that the cancer has spread to Karen’s stomach and liver. In response to Karen’s condition, the wedding was moved up to ensure Karen’s attendance. However, since becoming engaged to Benji, Celeste has developed a troubling stutter that causes her mother to worry about whether Celeste’s decision to marry Benji has been motivated more by a desire to be secure than the dream of being loved and happy. Karen is torn — about to marry the wealthy Benji, her daughter is in a “situation any other young woman would kill to find herself in. Celeste and Benji don’t have to be a perfect couple. Really, there is no such thing.” But is the Winbury family money worth a lifetime of settling?

      The Winbury family, despite their wealth and power, have their own issues. Greer’s latest novel has been rejected by her publisher who demands an immediate and complete re-write. Benji’s brother, Thomas, has a troubled marriage. Their father, Tag, has a long history of infidelity which Greer has chosen to overlook.

      Throughout what was supposed to be Celeste and Benji’s wedding day, Chief Kapanesh’s investigation focuses on how Merritt came to be in the water where she drowned with a cut on her foot, bruise on her wrist, and a barbiturate in her bloodstream. As he interviews those gathered for the nuptials, details are revealed about the relationships of the suspects. Information comes to light about what happened during and, more critically, after the rehearsal dinner.

      Hilderbrand imbues the eclectic cast of characters with secret motivations for their conduct. Overheard conversations and Merritt’s visible distress that night demonstrate who may have had a motive to kill Merritt. The deceased had a not-so-innocent past herself, including an affair with her married former employer.

      Into the Otis family, Hilderbrand infuses the humanity and compassion that set the book apart. Bruce and Karen are devoted to each other, despite one large secret that Karen discovers as the day wears on. Karen conceals her intent to deal with her cancer in the way she deems most loving and best for her beloved husband and daughter. She “hasn’t talked to Bruce about life after she’s gone because he refuses to acknowledge the inevitable — which, she supposes, is better than him accepting it too readily.”

      In contrast, the scheming, entitled Winbury clan have their own secrets and, as to a couple of them, reasons to want Merritt eliminated.

      Through it all the question of whether Celeste really loves Benji enough to marry him lingers. She struggles with her guilt about her true feelings, convinced that if she doesn’t marry Benji, her actions will bring about her mother’s demise. It’s a question to which Shooter, who has achieved success solely through his own charm, intelligence, and perseverance, would very much like the answer.

      Hilderbrand keeps the action moving forward, revealing titillating details that pique reader curiosity. In The Perfect Couple, as noted, nearly every character is a suspect but when the killer is finally revealed, most readers will have guessed incorrectly. The characters are diverse and entertaining, and the story, especially concerning Karen and Bruce, is surprisingly moving. Hilderbrand provides readers with the satisfying ending they have come to expect from her.

      Hilderbrand is known for her engrossing “beach reads” and The Perfect Couple, her twenty-first novel, is the first mystery she has penned, although it certainly bears the hallmarks for which she is known and characters from some of her prior novels, including The Castaways, Beautiful Day, and A Summer Affair. The Perfect Couple does not disappoint. It is a perfect beach mystery.

      Thanks to NetGalley for an Advance Reader's Copy of the book.
    • 4/5

      Nov 9, 2021

      The Perfect Couple is a story about young people who have to learn the hard way. There is no such thing as the perfect couple. It is a sad story that follows several single folks who try to find and be the perfect couple. In addition to the young people searching for true love there is a murder/accident that happens. It is a good story. It keeps its pace throughout. The book is given four stars in this review.
    • 4/5

      Aug 4, 2021

      The stage is set for a Nantucket wedding: Celeste and Benji, who prove that opposites attract and appear to be the perfect couple. Celeste's parents are solidly middle class, and she's the assistant director of a zoo in New York. Benji is one of the Winburys, an extremely well-to-do family whose mother, Greer Garrison, is a well-known mystery author. In fact, Greer's been planning - and paying for - the wedding. But when the maid of honor, Celeste's best friend Merritt, is found drowned in the ocean, the wedding planned for that day is completely derailed as a police investigation begins.

      Elin Hilderbrand is probably my library patron's favorite summer author. Every year, without fail, I have to buy multiple copies of her newest book to satisfy holds. And every year, without fail, every book we own by her that's set in the summer flies off the shelves and stays there until September rolls around again. So I expected a "beach" read, something light and fluffy and not too taxing. What I got was a murder mystery and a close look at a set of very flawed characters whose secrets come to light during the investigation. The narrative switches perspective been multiple characters and has two time frames, one the day of Merritt's death and the investigation, the other events covering the past two years bringing us up the present. The taut pacing and revelations kept me reading, and while I probably wouldn't reread this now that I know the ending, I'll definitely try another book by this author.
    • 4/5

      Feb 2, 2021

      It is not summer for me without an Elin Hilderbrand book and what better way to start summer than with her newest book which did not disappoint.
      I mean how perfect is a murder-mystery novel where one of the main characters is a murder-mystery novelist?
      The Perfect Couple is the perfect name for a book that highlights several “perfect” couples as the descent on Nantucket for a wedding of one of the perfect couples. We meet their parents, the wealthy Winburry’s and the middle class parents of the bride. Woven between our “perfect couples” are a few of our favorite Nantucket residents from previous novels.

      This plot kept me intrigued because not only did I want to know more about the characters, did Celeste really want to get married and finally “whodunit” it all set against he beautiful and inspiring Nantucket Backdrop. This made my desire to visit Nantucket even greater and I wonder if someone does Elin HIlderband tours there so we can go see all the exciting spots she talks about in her novels. I digress. Loved this novel and I was kept on my seat until the very last page.
      No better ending to a book that that!

      Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for a honest review.
    • 4/5

      Nov 17, 2020

      This is the third Elin Hilderbrand book I have read in the past year or so, and I enjoyed this one because it was centered around a mysterious death.
      There is to be a grand wedding on Nantucket, joining "the perfect couple" Celeste and Benji together. However, on the morning of the wedding, Celeste finds the body of her maid of honor, Merritt, dead, having drowned.
      The chief of the police is called and everyone in the family is questioned by him or the state police detective. What they uncover is a treasure trove of secrets and lies that everyone in the family has been hiding.
      I don't know why, but I had a strong suspicion of who the "murderer" was in this story. Perhaps this suspicion was due to the way the character was portrayed.

      #ThePerfectCouple #ElinHilderbrand
    • 4/5

      Aug 21, 2020

      The perfect summer beach read with or without a beach!
    • 3/5

      Mar 28, 2020

      Let’s start this mystery with a suspicious death. Here we have two families from the opposite ends of the economic spectrum, and a whole bunch of deep dark secrets!



      This is about the wedding of the century on Nantucket for wealthy Benjamin Winbury and Celeste Otis, daughter of working class parents. Benji ignores the girls and women of his class to wed an administrator at the Bronx Zoo who lives in a sixth floor walk-up furnished with the best Ikea and Good Will has to offer,

      All goes downhill when the maid of honor, Merritt Monaco, is found floating in the ocean just behind the Winburys’s fabulous Nantucket estate, Well that’s just selfish to spoil a million dollar wedding Paid for by the groom’s side, by dying.

      During the investigation an abundance of secrets are brought to life and lives are changed.

      This was a fun who done it read.
    • 3/5

      Mar 20, 2020

      Celeste and Benji will soon enjoy the perfect wedding as prepared by Benji’s mother, Greer Garrison Winbury. Loads of planning and money have been thrown on this very important social event. But hours before the wedding a dead and floating female is discovered. Merritt Monaco, the bridesmaid, tuns out to be the body, is this an accident, suicide, or murder? Chief Ed Kapenash must question all the wedding party and determine what has happened. Elin Hilderbrand leads the reader on a hunt for the answer to this puzzling question. Hilderbrand explores the psychology of each member of the wedding party and uncovers a multitude of secrets.
    • 4/5

      Jan 31, 2020

      Very entertaining and interesting book. Some ‘twists’ predictable , but doesn’t take away from the story .
    • 3/5

      Jun 16, 2019

      This is a very light murder mystery with a side of romance/scandal. Enjoyable read because the characters are vivid, individual, and quirky. It begins with the two main characters, Celeste who is marrying Benji Garrison, a very wealthy son of Tag and Greer Garrison. Hard working Celeste, a zoologist from a poor family with a terminally ill mother is a misfit match with a semi naive man brought up on the silver spoon. Even though they seem to love each other, the fabulously expensive wedding put on the mother of the groom completely unwinds when the maid of honor and Celeste's best friend is found dead floating in the water off the beach. The subsequent police investigation turns up more scandal than the characters want to deal with but the truth oozes out anyway. Apparently the author wants to tell us there are no perfect couples and we should know everyone has secrets so don't be envious of others. This is my first time reading a book by author and I would read another.
    • 4/5

      Mar 14, 2019

      Elin Hilderbrand's books about Nantucket and its residents are always entertaining and witty - a perfect light read, not too taxing, really just a pure delight. I loved this book.
    • 5/5

      Feb 6, 2019

      4.5 Stars for this mystery beach read by Elin Hilderbrand. Once again Elin Hilderbrand takes us back to beautiful Nantucket island. It is the wedding of the year with Benji Winbury and Celeste Otis tying the know. All is not well when the nuptials are cancelled on the day of the wedding. Celeste wakes on the morning of her special day to find her only friend and maid of honor, Merritt, floating along the shore of her in-law’s Summerland compound. The question becomes, was it an accident or was she murdered? Chief Ed Kapenash gets the early morning call and with the help of "The Greek", they try to untangle the clues to find our what really happened.

      The story is told in two time frames, the present and the past, when Benji and Celeste meet. Narration is from multiple points of view. The same story has a lot of different perspectives and it is interesting to see what everyone thinks happens in the same situations. Celeste and Benji seem to be The Perfect Couple as well as his parents Tag and Greer, but everything is always what it seems. As every secret is revealed, I was on the edge of my seat to see what would come next.

      I loved the character of Celeste. She was such a natural person, yet a bit odd for Nantucket. She was unassuming and uninterested in trying to impress anyone. She is a zoologist, in fact the assistant director, driven by her love of nature and animals, she’s a true friend, loving daughter and a woman caught up in the whirlwind of her first relationship. She considers herself socially awkwqrd and can't believe someone like Benji could be interested in her. The Winbury family is a privileged, well off family that do not really understand how the rest of the world lives, but they are not inherently bad. Merritt and Scooter are both victims of their past whether their own fault or the fault of their circumstances, they both make choices that effect many lives.

      This may be the top beach read of summer 2018. There are secrets, lies, deceptions, suspense and mystery. I read this book in basically one day as I tried to figure out what had happened. As the investigation unfolds and the stories and backstories are told, pretty much everyone at the house was a suspect at one point. You may also suspect several characters of murder in this whodunnit, but the twist at the end was unexpected. This book doesn't involve a lot of thinking, it is pure entertainment which makes it perfect for a summer, beach, or poolside read. I definitely recommend this book for those that love these visits to New England and the beach in the summer. The added interest of the mystery gives it an extra point of interest. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book via Netgalley.

    • 5/5

      Dec 1, 2018

      Elijah Hilderbrand’s books are always some of my favourite reads. Great beach books, great chick lit but not just fluff. There’s always something deeper going on; always intrigue and secrets. And always a delightful engrossing juicy read. I loved this one as well.
    • 4/5

      Oct 31, 2018

      The setting is Nantucket in July. Who could ask for more in a new book from Elin Hilderbrand? It's advertised as a "beach read" but it's much more. The author has written a murder mystery with many relationship complications and some twists that make for a very enjoyable read.

      There is a lavish wedding about to take place when the maid of honor is found dead. Of course, everyone in the wedding party, plus the groom's parents, are suspects. As an investigation ensues, all sorts of secrets come out and even though the investigation is unbelievably short, it's tied up in a fairly neat package.

      This is a well-plotted novel with in-depth characters, some of which I just didn't like. Money and booze were flowing freely among the wealthy characters which is hard for us ordinary people to understand. I felt the book was a bit too long and even though there was not a lot of repetition, some scenes that didn't contribute much to the plot could have been cut. But overall, one of Elin Hilderbrand's best novels.
    • 4/5

      Oct 22, 2018

      The beginning draws you in and makes you want to find out what happens! The maid of honor is found murdered the morning of the wedding and the story unfolds as you find out all the secrets that led to this tragedy. I felt there were so many characters it took a while to recognize who everyone was, but it was an enjoyable read that kept me guessing until the end. I still have some questions like - what happens NOW!?
    • 4/5

      Oct 15, 2018

      This would make a meaty beach read for those lazy days of summer. An elaborate wedding set on beautiful Nantucket. Celeste Otis is carried along by the wishes of her soon to be husband's family (mostly mother), while her own parents struggle with her mother's illness. The book vacillates back and forth a lot between various time periods as the relationships are slowly divulged among all of the characters. The death of a member of the wedding party brings scrutiny to the household and a lot of secrets are revealed. And it was interesting to speculate on the identity of the perfect couple, if there is such a thing.
    • 3/5

      Sep 8, 2018

      I liked this book; I didn't love it. I thought it dragged a bit - there could easily have been about 75 pages cut from the middle of the book and an additional 25 at the end that tied up some of the loose ends that were left behind. I'd like more closure with Celeste and her parents, with Shooter. There were pieces of the mystery that were left unanswered as well although most of it tied up.

      Overall, it was a nice beach read, but it did drag at times.
    • 5/5

      Sep 1, 2018

      Good job Elin Hildebrand on your first mystery! I really enjoyed the book, I couldn't guess who did it, but I admit I'm not usually very good at guessing anyway. I love her family sagas but wouldn't mind looking forward to another mystery next summer too!
    • 5/5

      Aug 31, 2018

      The perfect couple by Elin Hilderbrand
      Story of a couple getting married on the island. The brides parents are traveling by ferry to attend-she's got cancer and they expereince the island with fresh eyes. I feel with the words the author has written that i can smell the air as they arrive.
      Grooms parents are there also from England with their own car.
      A murder occurs and everybody has to state where they were and other circumstances.
      Mystery the sheriff is following as he raises teenagers.
      There are a lot of people around, sometimes hard to keep it straight.
      Sad that there is not one couple who's not gone through infeideltiy, or even both of the perfect couples.
      Lots of drama, enjoyed travel to other locations.
      I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
    • 4/5

      Aug 2, 2018

      my favorites. The Perfect Couple was a little different from her previous books. It was more of a mystery than a romance. The book begins when a dead body washes ashore at a lavish oceanfront estate where a wedding is about to take place. As the book develops, all the wedding guests become suspects.

      The book explores what really makes “the perfect couple” and how the couple that seems perfect may not be perfect at all. There were a ton of characters in this book and they all had their issues. It made quite a juicy beach read.

      Nantucket is always a character in Hilderbrand’s books and I always want to hop on a plane and move there after reading them. This book made me hungry. I not only wanted to go to Nantucket, but I wanted to go there and eat all the things these characters were eating! It sounds like heaven.

      You must have this book for your summer beach trip and when you finish it you will want to run out and buy all of Hilderbrand’s books. They never disappoint.
    • 5/5

      Jul 29, 2018

      4.5 stars. I really enjoyed learning about the characters and the family secrets while the murder mystery unfolded. I loved Karen's character and her perspective in the story. This was the perfect summer read!
    • 4/5

      Jul 8, 2018

      Good book, held my interest and was full of family dynamics and secrets. Certainly kept you wondering what happened and how will it end. I've read all of Elin Hilderbrand's books and she consistently uses the same characters for her novels so it feels like I've known the characters for years. Quick, good read.
    • 5/5

      Jul 7, 2018

      I love my Elin Hilderbrand books in the summer. They are my guilty pleasure! In this latest effort, Celeste and Benji are about to married in the perfect ceremony on Nantucket. Celeste, who comes from a background that could not be more different than Benji's, is about to enter a world of money and luxury once she says those magic words, "I do." However, Celeste has a secret, as do so many of the people involved in this wedding! There are so many secrets, so many twists, that one almost forgets that the catalyst is the death of the maid of honor. I simply loved it because it was such a fun summer read!
    • 4/5

      Jun 30, 2018

      This is Hilderbrand's 2018 summer book. She has written 20 previous books, all romances, this is her first mystery. The wedding of the son of a wealthy couple is due to take place at their Nantucket home. Cancelled of course when the body of the maid of honor is found floating in the harbor in front of their home the morning of the wedding.

      The crux of the book is not the investigation of the murder but rather the relationships and secrets among the primary characters. A good easy read with twists and turns.
    • 5/5

      Jun 21, 2018

      What a fantastically sad ending!! Not a crying one, but one that really kicks you in the gut because of some characters actions to what they thought was a problem that wasn't going to be a problem at all.

      Wow, so many suspects. Or may there were just one or two or many unknowingly helping in the demise of the victim. Or may there was just one attempt at murder that got the wrong victim. Or maybe it was just an accident after all. These are just some of the thought going through my head while I was reading this excellent read.

      I have read several Elin Hilderbrand books and I cannot recall ever reading a mystery by her. If this actually was her first attempt at a mystery, she did an excellent job!!

      Loved, loved, loved this book!

      Thanks to Little, Brown and Company and Net Galley for providing me with a free e-galley in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
    • 4/5

      Jun 18, 2018

      Who is the perfect couple you might ask. Is it the young couple due to get married the next day as this novel opens? The parents of the bride? Parents of the groom? members of the wedding party? As you might expect, all is not going to be perfect on this wedding weekend in Nantucket, and a murder brings the wedding quickly to a halt. This is a page turner, not only because of the suspense involved, but also because of Hilderbrand's skill in making us care about the characters, flaws and all. The mystery is carefully constructed, and the relationships well-drawn.
    • 5/5

      Jun 9, 2018

      I’ll admit this is only my fourth of Elin Hiderbrand’s novels, but so far this is my favorite. I can compare it to reading a Nantucket version of the game of Clue. With a small cast of characters, each one seemed to have something to hide.

      A wedding is about to take place in Nantucket and the wedding party and several guests are gathered for the rehearsal dinner the day before. That evening things go horribly awry, and instead of a wedding, the next day is filled with a police investigation.

      I must admit, I was not expecting a mystery when I began reading this book, and it was such a pleasant surprise. I love an entertaining “whodunit” and this certainly fit that description. If you’re looking for a fun summer read, pick up The Perfect Couple. It will not disappoint.

      Many thanks to NetGalley and Little Brown & Company for allowing me to read an advance copy.
    • 5/5

      Jun 6, 2018

      The Perfect Couple
      By
      Elin Hildebrand


      What it's all about...

      First of all...these books are all about Nantucket. I want to go to Bartlett’s Farm and get tomatoes and Portuguese bread for a toasted tomato sandwich. I want the crab shrimp scallops burger with watermelon limeade from Surfside Beach Shack. I want the Lola burger and fries that handsome Nick the Greek ate on his way to interview the bride...Celeste. I want the $10.00 passion fruit water ice while I sit on the bench and watch the boats. I want to go to the Chicken Box...a roadhouse where no chicken is served! That’s my idea of Nantucket! Ooh...and the beach where you walk into the water step off a ledge and water slide forty yards down the beach! Now that’s Nantucket! And while all this can be happening...Tag and Greer are planning an amazing wedding for their son Benji and his fiancée Celeste...Merritt the maid of honor is found dead in the water, Karen...Celeste’s mother is dying from cancer and every other person at this incredible wedding seems to be sitting on a mountain of secrets! Just you wait and see!

      Why I wanted to read it...

      Summer for me means reading the newest Elin Hildebrand book. This one is exceptionally addictive.

      What made me truly enjoy this book...

      OMG...the secrets...the relationships...everyone is hiding something and everyone is unhappy and bad decisions are being made at quite a rapid pace.

      Why you should read it, too...

      You get a really good summer beach book from this author. She knows Nantucket! Readers who love this kind of beachy escape...with great foods, dysfunctional characters, and a fast paced writing style will love this book. I would douse myself in sunscreen and probably sit on the beach for hours engrossed in this one! Or a much saner person would sit on a shaded porch in a comfy chair...iced tea at hand and read away an afternoon!

      I received an advance reader’s copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley and Amazon. It was my choice to read it and review it.
    • 5/5

      Jun 1, 2018

      I adore Hilderbrand’s books. This is definitely in my top five favorites of hers. I seriously hope there is a sequel to this one. I need to know more about what happens to Celeste. I am now craving lobster and want to purchase a pair of Nantucket reds. I would love to visit Nantucket one day but if I am not able to I love doing so vicariously through Hilderbrand’s wonderful books.

      Netgalley provided me an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.