Book ~ "The Eden Test" (2023) Adam Sternbergh

From Goodreads ~ Daisy and Craig’s marriage is in serious trouble. That’s why Daisy has signed up for The Eden Test, a week-long getaway for couples in need of a fresh start. Yet even as she’s struggling to salvage her marriage, it seems Craig has plans to leave her for another woman. In fact, his bags are already packed -long before he arrives to meet Daisy in this remote cabin in the woods of upstate New York.

At first, their week away is marked by solitude, connection and natural beauty - and only a few hostile locals. But what Craig doesn’t know is that Daisy, a slyly talented actress, has her own secrets, including a burner phone she’s been using for mysterious texts. Not to mention the Eden Test itself, which poses a searing new question to the couple every day, each more explosive than the last. Their marriage was never perfect, but now the lies and revelations are piling up, as the week becomes much more than they bargained for ... how far are they willing to go?

Daisy and Craig have been together for three years and married for two. Daisy knows Craig has been cheating on her throughout their marriage but she wants to make it work. She surprises Craig and signs them up for a weeklong couple's retreat.

What Daisy doesn't know is that Craig has his packed suitcases in the trunk of the car and is planning on leaving her and running off to Mexico the next day with the woman he is currently seeing. What Craig doesn't know is that Daisy also has secrets.

Once at the cabin, Craig decides to stay  and work things out with Daisy. They have fun together canoeing, swimming, hiking, etc. The few times they head into town isn't pleasant, though, as some of the locals aren't friendly.  ... they will be staying in a cabin in the middle of nowhere and every day they will have to discuss and answer a question. 

This is the first book I've read by this author and I thought it was okay, though farfetched (I just went with it). I liked it enough to read other books by him. It is written in third person perspective in Daisy and Craig's voices. As a head's up, there is swearing.

I found both Daisy and Craig unlikable. Daisy had been through a lot and it was hard to believe she was able to make so many changes in her life so easily. Though she justifies marrying and staying with Craig even though he was always cheating on her, I can't imagine too many women settling and putting up with him. Craig was shallow and seemed to care only about himself ... I found it a bit unbelievable that he could change within a couple days.