Title: The Couple Next Door
Author: Rick R. Reed
Genre: Mystery, Suspense
Length: Novel (200 Pages)
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (December 7, 2015)
Heat Level: Low
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts
Blurb: With the couple next door, nothing is as it seems.
Jeremy Booth leads a simple life, scraping by in the gay neighborhood of Seattle, never letting his lack of material things get him down. But the one thing he really wants—someone to love—seems elusive. Until the couple next door moves in and Jeremy sees the man of his dreams, Shane McCallister, pushed down the stairs by a brute named Cole.
Jeremy would never go after another man’s boyfriend, so he reaches out to Shane in friendship while suppressing his feelings of attraction. But the feeling of something being off only begins with Cole being a hard-fisted bully—it ends with him seeming to be different people at different times. Some days, Cole is the mild-mannered John and then, one night in a bar, he’s the sassy and vivacious drag queen Vera.
So how can Jeremy rescue the man of his dreams from a situation that seems to get crazier and more dangerous by the day? By getting close to the couple next door, Jeremy not only puts a potential love in jeopardy, but eventually his very life.
ISBN: 978-1-63476-649-4
Product Link: Dreamspinner Press | Amazon US | Amazon UK
Reviewer: Lisa
Review: This is the first book by this author that I have read and I must say that this author has one hell of a gift. I am not much into mysteries however this story gives you a different perspective. I have to admit that it was a spooky story that is for sure. I wasn’t really sure what to really think about it but I did enjoy reading it.
I liked how Rick made multiple personality disorder seem so intriguing. Although, the truth does come out in the end. John was a sweet young man, but he has multiple personalities in him. He was Vera, who I have to admit was a bit harder to figure out, and then there was Cole. Cole was a very cruel man, loved to cause pain and a killer. He had moved with his little brother Shane to get away from the past. It would seem the past has caught up with them.
Jeremy had come across Shane and John, when John pushed Shane down the stairs. He was falling for Shane but his fear of John or Cole was making it hard. Rick was able to bring these characters to life and gave them such a detailed depth, that it makes you feel like you are there with them. I felt for Shane but loved Jeremy a bit more. He put his neck out for Shane but Shane loved his brother. The problem is his brother is nuts.
This author has made me believe every word that came out and had me captivated in the story. I couldn’t put the book down. There are sexy neighbors, secrets, violence, false identities and an amazing plot twist to this story that will have you sitting on the edge of your seat. Now I admit this story was not for me, but that is because I am more for stories that are happy, cheerful and quirky which this story definitely is not. I did have fun reading it though. However I will probably be sleeping with the lights on and probably will never date again after reading this.
I would definitely recommend this story to any one that is looking for a good mystery with a bit of romance in it.