Have you ever read a book that left you speechless, you remember every bit of the story, but the plot twists are still very much in your thoughts. Then, you hear you get to see it again, this time in a different form — on the big screens. There’s nothing quite like the thrill of seeing your favorite book come to life. But does it always translate? Will it do justice to the book? Will it capture the essence of the story you loved so much?

Those are the questions I usually ask myself. There was a time when I didn’t fancy anything if it was based on a book, but in the past few years, a couple of movies/series have been able to convince me and now I’m most likely going to say yes to them, because it gives me more depth to the story and creates a more long-lasting memory, especially with the choice of characters and cinematography.

I discovered Harlan Coben first on Netflix with Fool Me Once and I was very intrigued, which led to me reading a couple of his books and watching the entire adaptations of his works on Netflix. Harlan Coben is said to be the master of suspense and twisty thrillers. The thing I love most about his books is that, the ending you think you know from the beginning doesn’t work with him, you end up being very surprised.

TV Shows/Movies based on books can be mixed, and opinions often vary. When it comes to Harlan Coben’s books adapted by Netflix, these are some of the reasons why I mostly enjoy watching the story rather than reading it.

Yay:

• Movies or TV Shows generally have a way of capturing most people,(including myself) making them appeal more to those who may not be inclined to read the books.

• Seeing the suspense and twists play out visually on screen can be thrilling, especially with notable scenes.

Of course, I have my negatives too.

Nay:

• Sometimes the pacing doesn’t match the book, (might seem rushed) leading to the omission of important details and character development present in the books.

With that, these are 5 of my favorite Netflix adaptations of his books that mostly stick to the plot and I highly recommend them.

P.S. They are mostly suspense and thriller.

• Fool Me Once

• Stay Close

• The Stranger

• Shelter

• Safe

I reviewed Fool Me Once. Feel free to check it out if you'd like.

Also, if you’re interested in watching the adaptations of his book collection on Netflix, you can find it here- no need to thank me!

Ultimately, whether the series based on Harlan Coben’s books is a“yay” or “nay” it all depends on personal preferences and how well the adaptations capture the essence of the books. Have you seen any of the adaptations? What are your thoughts?