Book Review - The Perfect Home by Daniel Kenitz

 

The Perfect Home by Daniel Kenitz follows a picture-perfect couple who struggle with infertility and a husband desperate to have the family he’s always wanted. Dawn Decker and her husband, Wyatt, are the hosts of a popular Tennessee-based home renovation reality show, The Perfect Home. The two are complete opposites—Dawn is the salt to Wyatt’s sweet, media-friendly, sunshine persona.

Dawn isn’t interested in their celebrity lifestyle and would prefer a quieter, more private existence. Wyatt, on the other hand, thrives on fame and wishes they were more than just D-list celebrities. The couple is eager to start a family, but they face infertility challenges due to Wyatt’s low sperm count. Desperate, Wyatt secretly orders an experimental fertility drug. When Dawn becomes pregnant, they should be celebrating—but instead, Dawn finds herself living in fear. Wyatt’s cheerful demeanor begins to unravel, revealing a darker, more controlling, moody, and even cruel side.

When Dawn discovers that Wyatt is plotting a tragedy involving their infant twins to boost their fame, she decides to escape and go on the run. Wyatt, using his celebrity image, appears on national television to plead for her return, portraying her as an unstable woman suffering from postpartum psychosis. His charm is so convincing that even Dawn’s closest friends begin to doubt her. If Dawn wants to protect her children, she must outsmart Wyatt and beat him at his own game.

The novel was an okay read. It's told from alternating perspectives—Dawn’s and Wyatt’s—which added some depth. There were a few unexpected twists and turns, but for the most part, the plot was predictable. I didn’t care much for most of the characters. Dawn’s actions sometimes felt over-the-top. While I understood her desire to protect her children, she didn’t even attempt to gather proof before going on the run. As a result, everyone turned on her, and yet, things still conveniently worked out in her favor.

The book also felt repetitive at times. I grew tired of reading constant praise about Wyatt’s handsomeness while Dawn was repeatedly described as a plain, unattractive woman. The plot felt unrealistic and contrived, and overall, the story didn’t fully land for me.