I didn't realize this was the 2nd book in the series until after I got about 1/2 through it...so I just decided to finish it. It can be read as a standalone but I am greedy and I want all the backstory, so if you are like me, read Book 1 first! That being said, MAN THESE PEOPLE ALL SUCK in their own special ways! This is a family and I use that term loosely, of piranhas! The fact that comes across so strongly is a credit to the author!

This was my 1st book by Kaira Rouda but will not be my last! I won a physical copy of this book via the Killer Author's Club, thank you!

#UnderthePalms
#NetGalley

Wild sequel to Beneath the Surface. Although this book gives enough background as to what happened in the first of the series, I highly recommend reading that one first so you can get to know all of these (terrible) people and what went down on the yacht last year.

After handing over the reins of the Kingsley business to his daughter-in-law Paige, CEO Richard is having second thoughts. Paige has gathered the family and board members, as well as a few surprise guests, to an exclusive executive retreat at a Laguna resort. What happens next is a wild ride of rich people behaving poorly, culminating in a death and a fight for control.

If you're looking for a fun popcorn thriller, you've come to the right place. This book is like a soap opera and the characters are so awful you just can't tear your eyes away. Not believable in the slightest and there's no cerebral depth here. Manipulation, backstabbing, bribery, revenge...it's all on the agenda and readers are here for it.

I pushed my way through this book because I am not a fan of all those POV. You cannot connect to a character with so little time dedicated to them.

It was good if you enjoy books with a lot of POV. It was well written and interesting but I need that connection to a character to truly love a book.

This is a personal preference for me and has no reflection on the book itself.

The ending was good!

The family fans of author Kaira Rouda love to hate is back - and the Kingsleys haven't calmed down at all. They don't get along any better than they used to, either. Paige, the new president of the family company, has arranged a work retreat with the other members of her family. Richard, the patriarch and the person who put Paige in charge, will be there too. He's been less than thrilled with Paige's reign & plans to remove her as the leader. Richard's sons, John and Ted, are aware of this and plan to be there. Each assumes he will be named over his brother as the next in charge.

This time, at least no ships are involved. But they're at a gorgeous resort in Laguna Beach during fire season, when the Santa Ana winds make it almost unbearable to be outside. As long as there's plenty of space (and alcohol) inside the hotel, nothing can go wrong. Right?

All of Kaira Rouda's thrillers are a ton of fun, and strangely this made me want to experience the Santa Ana winds (okay, maybe for like 5 seconds) myself, just to see if they're as described. (I'm a strictly midwestern girl so I know about tornadoes but have no experience with earthquakes or hurricanes or Santa Ana winds).

Fast paced, short chapters, California setting, family drama, rich people behaving badly and a cast of characters you love to hate...this book had it all!

When you read a book by Kaira Rouda, you know you're going to get some shady characters. These ones were all devious and scheming and it was interesting reading about how they all tried to play each other and get away with their secrets and lies. I found this to be a very quick and entertaining read.

It is the second book in a short series, but I didn't know this going in. I actually hadn't read the first book, Beneath the Surfacd, but it didn't take away any enjoyment for me. I was still able to follow along and didn't feel lost at all. The first book definitely would have given more background into the characters but I think it could be read as a stand alone for sure.

This was a great suspense/thriller and if you're a fan of the author, you'll probably enjoy this!

Thank you to Thriller Book Lovers, Thomas & Mercer and Macmillan Audio for the copies to review!

This family!! Just when you think they cannot get worse than they already were in the first book, here they come again and stoop to a new low. And did I love every minute of it? Yes, yes I did. The Kingsleys are back and headed to a weekend retreat, and the gossip columnists are at the ready to try and figure out what is on the agenda. True to form, it is a hot mess, what with the sons trying to vie for successor, and the Kingsley women think however they have the upper hand. However, things go according to no one’s plan, and here we are. This was another wild ride that kept me entertained and flipping pages (audio is fantastic btw), and I really hope there is another book coming because I am not done with this family! The ending was nuts and this book is just another reason why I am a huge fan of Rouda’s!

"Under the Palms" by Kaira Rouda is a riveting exploration of family dynamics set against the backdrop of a luxurious Laguna Beach resort. Rouda masterfully weaves a tale of power, betrayal, and secrets within the affluent Kingsley family. The novel's strength lies in its complex characters, each driven by their ambitions and haunted by their pasts. Paige, the new president, emerges as a formidable force, navigating the treacherous waters of family politics with cunning and resilience. Rouda's writing captures the opulence of the setting and the underlying tension, making for a gripping read. The narrative's twists and turns keep the reader engaged, culminating in a suspenseful and satisfying conclusion. "Under the Palms" is a compelling family saga that highlights the lengths to which individuals will go to protect their legacy and secure their place in the hierarchy.

The Kingsley’s are back with even more drama than book #1. And I have to say I was laughing out loud in many spots of the book. The way Kaira tells the story is just very unique and I love all books she writes. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this early release. In stores NOW!

I had a really hard time getting into this book. I tried both the ebook and the audio. There were so many characters, too many. Maybe I should have read the 1st book before this one. But I didn’t realize it was a sequel until I had already started it and went to add it to Goodreads. It seemed like a lot of rich/spoiled people and I could not connect with any of them.

I devoured this book on a cold and rainy day. It was wonderful and kept me entertained from the first page to the very last page. I loved the setting of the 5 star hotel with all the “rich” features. The exclusiveness of the hotel showed just how powerful the Kingsley Family really is.

I have to talk about the characters. They were something else. Every one of them had a holy than thou attitude and it was fun to figure out who was holier than the rest. Who was bad person, who was set up, who was going to be in the CEO? There is so much back stabbing and betrayal that I had no idea who the good and the bad were.

Kaira Rouda is an amazing author. Her thriller, suspense, and mystery writing skills make her a must-read author. I recommend checking out Under the Palms.

The Kingsleys are back!!! Under the palms brings us back into the cutthroat world of the Kingsleys. At a posh resort where the Kingsleys go for a retreat that Santa Ana winds are brewing a storm that’s no match for what the Kingsley are cooking up. The family you love to hate is back this time deadlier than the last.., with Paige as president and Richards health failing who’s the most dangerous . Cannot wait for the next dark and deadly Kingsley installment

Under the Palms is just fun! If you loved the nighttime soaps of the 80's and early 90's, and even if you didn't, this is just fun to read! The story centers around a family of horrible, completely unlikeable people all out to get each other. Lots of suspense and juicy twists and you feel like a fly on the wall. Now, it IS Book 2 in the Kingsley family series and although it would be a decent read on its own, I guess, I highly recommend reading Beneath the Surface first. It too is a lot of fun! Plus, it will help fill in some blanks. Either way, just get on board with Kaira Rouda! All of her books are pretty juicy, fast reads.

Thank you to #NetGalley, Kaira Rouda and Thomas & Mercer for this ARC. All opinions are my own.

I will post my review to Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Instagram and other retail and social media sites upon publication.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC of this book. What a ride! This follow up to Beneath the Surface was crazy and I loved it. The Kingsley family continues to fight, love and entertain. Rouda is quickly becoming one of my go to authors.

The Kingsleys are back! This time they've gathered for a corporate retreat at Twin Palms resort. Richard is regretting putting Paige at the helm of the company, and his sons are plotting on how to oust Paige and take over for themselves. Selena is regretting all her decisions from the yacht and is on the run from her broke Italian husband and his greedy family. And Sibley, poor Sibley--will no one take her seriously?

If you liked Beneath the Surface, you will definitely love Under the Palms! More RIch People Behaving Badly, in the worst possible ways mixed with murder and mayhem. New characters and old delight us as they just make the worst possible decisions for not only themselves but everyone around them. Add in the added tension of a California wildfire, and the stakes are in the stratosphere! Rouda's books are immensely readable, and short enough you don't feel too guilty if you forget about the world around you and finish this book in one sitting. Great escapist reading, perfect for poolside or the beach. Grab a cocktail and clear your calendar, because you won't want to leave the Kingsleys until you find out who's gonna die and who did it.

UNDER THE PALMS is the second instalment in Kaira Rouda’s contemporary adult THE KINGSLEYS dramatic, thriller series focusing on the dysfunctional Kingsley family.

Told from seven different first person perspectives (Paige, John, Serena, Sibley, Ted, Krystle and Richard) as well as intermittent gossip site reporting UNDER THE PALMS continues to focus on the maladjusted and completely dysfunctional Kingsley family. Patriarch Richard Kingsley has handed over the reigns of the company to his daughter in law Paige. Unable to comprehend their father’s mindset, brothers Ted and John struggle with their father’s choices including his marriage to fifth wife Serena, whose infidelities are matched only by her soon to be ex-husband Richard’s affair but a family retreat at a luxurious Laguna Beach resort during a firestorm and the Santa Ana winds brings forth the ultimate betrayal when not one but two Kingsley family members are murdered, and promises of retribution are directed to those now controlling the top but someone else is waiting behind the scenes to assume control, someone no one ever saw coming.

Once again, UNDER THE PALMS like book one BENEATH THE SURFACE is deeply reminiscent of televisions’ SUCCESSION™ and the questionable lives and reputation of the Roy family. From betrayal and vengeance to the behind the scenes manipulation of the board members, to the sons and daughters who have set into motion their own plans to assume the position at the top. Bargains are made; blackmail is a constant; infidelity, secrets, lies and murder are just the beginning of a power struggle for control. A fixer is hired to bury the dead and their secrets but the family will be outsmarted in their battle to remain at the top.

UNDER THE PALMS is a story of secrets and lies, power and control, betrayal and vengeance, dysfunctional family dynamics, murder, chaos, manipulation and madness. The premise is dramatic, intense and dark; the characters are one again pathological, disturbing, and deadly. UNDER THE PALMS ends on a cliff hanger-you have been warned.



THE READING CAFE: https://www.thereadingcafe.com/under-the-palms-the-kingsleys-2-by-kaira-rouda-review-excerpt/


GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5845073818


BOOKBUB: https://www.bookbub.com/reviews/3519881007


B&N (Sandy Sch) posted

So, this is the second book in the Kingsley series, following of from Beneath The Surface which I reviewed last week here. We meet the family several months on from the culmination of that book, although things do not seem to have resolved themselves in any meaningful way and they are still fighting like rats in a sack over control of the Kingsley empire.

Paige, ostensibly now in control of Kingsley Enterprises but being undermined by the men at every turn has, with no irony, arranged a bonding retreat at a luxurious Californian beach resort. However, whether it is the disruptive Santa Ana winds or the disruptive personalities of the Kingsleys, there is as much likelihood of family bonding happening as there is amongst the Windsors. Different factions are forming, enemies have become friends in the process of trying to undermine other family members but, as we know, such alliances can rarely be trusted.

This book has more twists and turns than an Olympic slalom. The chapters jump between the various characters at a frenetic pace and there is so much plotting and conniving and double-crossing and backstabbing going on that the readers needs to pay careful attention to keep pace with it all. It is a rollercoaster ride through the very worst of humanity and, if you thought the Kingsley couldn’t get any more devious and repugnant after the last outing, you were very wrong.

The glamorous backdrop of the Twin Palms resort provides all the glitz the reader could want to gild the blackened lily of the Kingsley’s family’s infighting. The book contains all the elements of the old-fashioned, high-powered dramas of the 1980s which we all loved, but brought bang up to date. There is even a sneaky reference to Dynasty in the novel for those of us who were fans and this book took me right back to those days. As I said last time, if you enjoy shows such as Succession or The White Lotus or are fans of the novels of Jackie Collins and the like, this series will be right up your street. I look forward to seeing if there is more to come from the Kingsleys, while there are still some of them left!

Under the Palms is book two in The Kingsleys Series by Kaira Rouda.
I love reading anything written by Rouda. And Beneath the Surface was s great read.
I was excited for the second title and it did not disappoint!
This was such a fun, entertaining read with intriguing characters.
The characters are calculating. The story is fast-paced and wild.
She does it again!

Thank You NetGalley and Publisher for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

Book 2 in "The Kingsleys" series. Under the direction of the Kingsley's new president, Paige (Ted Kingsley's ex-wife), the family has gathered for a weekend retreat at a luxurious Laguna Beach resort. The Santa Ana winds are blowing and the knives are out as family members jockey to oust Paige and take back control of the company.

All our old favourites are here for the retreat: Richard, the patriarch; Serena, Richard's ex-wife and Ted's ex-lover, along with her baby Sophia; Sibley, the black sheep daughter; Uncle Walter; Paige; and of course brothers John and Ted, each hoping to be named as CEO. Although this book can probably be read as a standalone you might enjoy it more if you read "Beneath the Surface" first.

I enjoyed this book much more than Book 1 so I'm glad I didn't give up on the series after the first one. We get the story from the points of view of several characters, and the chapters are short making for a fairly quick read. The ending leaves things open for a possible third book. Be sure to read the author's acknowledgements at the end. 4 solid stars.

Thank you to Thomas & Mercer via Netgalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this novel. All opinions expressed are my own.
Publication Date: May 21, 2024

The multiple points of view were tough for me here. There were so many characters that even in the beginning theres a list of who is who.
I went into this not having read the first book in the series and not knowing the Kingsleys as others may have.

It read in a gossip column type way followed by character POVs.

The characters aren't very likable. They are very rich and a bit nutty.
Nothing goes as planned at their weekend retreat in Laguna.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This book definitely reminded me of “Succession,” which I am a fan of. Lots of family drama and intrigue. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.