A solid Ware read that was tightly plotted and as always, well written. Twisty, as we have come to expect from her!

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

2.5 STARS

One Perfect Couple was not a perfect read for me. The plot with an absurd reality competition turned nightmare just fell flat for me.

A low-budget Love Island/ Perfect Match type show quickly spirals out of control. Lyla, our very unlikely protagonist, should never have set foot on this tropical island., She should never have participated; she is an academic deeply immersed in her postgraduate research. It's true that she had hit a bit of a roadblock, but why would a woman like her agree to go to an island in the middle of the Indian Ocean to participate in an elimination-style love coupling reality show? The answer is simple: her harebrained boyfriend, Nico, an actor who is persuasive enough to drag his much more intelligent girlfriend halfway across the world to humiliate themselves—well, actually, they plan to humiliate her. Lyla is supposed to be eliminated early so Nico can stay, shine, and fake a new coupling to gain clout.

Of course, things go awry when Nico gets booted off the show. Lyla is left behind as a massive storm begins to batter the island, taking everything and everyone down with it.

The story features a classic Agatha Christie-style introduction of the other couples, who, aside from a studious guy, fit the profile of usual suspects in these types of shows. As the chaos unfolds, the narrative is cleverly intercut with passages of someone desperately trying to get help on a ham radio. Ruth Ware skillfully plays with the confusion of what really happened versus what is being broadcast to the world. This has been pitched as "And Then There Were None," so as readers, you can only imagine how things will progress. The Perfect Match concept devolves into a Survivor nightmare, and egos begin to swell and explode like the waves, creating tension among the other contestants.
This is loads of fun, especially for those who watch those shows. However, it made me wonder if the book really managed to surpass the drama that reality TV offers, and therein lies the danger in this subject. Nevertheless, there are characters to root for, unexpected eliminations, love stories gone terribly wrong, and a blurry line between reality and fabrication. So, sit back and enjoy, but be careful not to get hit by a falling coconut!

Ruth Ware is one of my favorite authors!! I love her books so much I recommend them to everyone and even picked it for my book club choice (and everyone else also loved it).

This book was a cross between a reality dating show and survivor gone wrong with a tiny pinch of 10 little Indians.

I loved all the different personalities and how they reacted to the events. Will they survive? Will they be rescued??

I also loved the in between portions where they flipped the story.

Its the perfect beach read and I highly recommend it!!

This wasn’t it for me. I generally enjoy Ruth Ware but this one isn’t my favorite of hers. I skimmed some parts & the twists just weren’t super twisty.

I really like Ruth Ware, but this is her weakest book. The protagonist is whiny and it's tiresome being in her head. Her boyfriend was a loser who never liked her and she knew it. There is nothing at stake. There's nothing that makes you care. We have really weak ancillary characters, too, so it just feels flat.

Story full of such underdeveloped characters that don't do a single thing to actually help them survive in dire situations that when we finally reach the final twist that's pulled from out of nowhere, we're thrilled to be done with the story. Extra star for an interesting start.

While the premise was nice, the writing was... not what I expected. I wanted more from the characters because I felt that what was on the front cover and the front flap was not what we were given.

I loved this book. I wasn't sure I would because I do not love reality TV series. However, reading about the behind the scenes of a series was way more fun. I'm not sure how realistic the book would be, but if maybe I too would go crazy stranded on an island. Ruth Ware is typically an automatic read for me because she can keep the reader engaged and I'm rarely bored. This still held true after this read. If thriller is your jam, I think you would like this one.

“One Perfect Couple” by Ruth Ware is a compelling thriller that masterfully intertwines reality television drama with psychological suspense. The story follows Lyla, a post-doctoral researcher facing career uncertainties and a faltering relationship with her actor boyfriend, Nico. Seizing an opportunity to rejuvenate both her personal and professional life, Lyla and Nico join the cast of a new reality TV show, “One Perfect Couple.” Set on the remote Ever After Island, the show pits five couples against each other in a series of challenges for a substantial cash prize. However, as the competition progresses, unforeseen events plunge the contestants into real danger, transforming the game into a fight for survival.

Ware excels in creating a tense atmosphere, vividly depicting the isolation and unpredictability of the island setting. The dynamics among the diverse cast of characters are intricate and authentic, with each individual contributing significantly to the unfolding drama. Lyla’s evolution from a hesitant participant to a determined survivor is particularly well-crafted, reflecting Ware’s skill in character development.

In summary, “One Perfect Couple” is a thrilling exploration of human relationships under extreme pressure, set against the backdrop of a reality TV show gone awry. Fans of psychological thrillers and character-driven narratives will find this novel both entertaining and thought-provoking.

Ruth Ware’s One Perfect Couple is an atmospheric and captivating psychological thriller that examines the darker side of relationships and trust. Ware’s exceptional storytelling draws you into a web of secrets, lies, and tension as the story unfolds. The characters are well-developed, and the suspense builds gradually, keeping readers hooked until the final, satisfying reveal. A must-read for fans of twisty, character-driven mysteries with a touch of psychological depth.Ruth Ware’s One Perfect Couple is an atmospheric and captivating psychological thriller that examines the darker side of relationships and trust. Ware’s exceptional storytelling draws you into a web of secrets, lies, and tension as the story unfolds. The characters are well-developed, and the suspense builds gradually, keeping readers hooked until the final, satisfying reveal. A must-read for fans of twisty, character-driven mysteries with a touch of psychological depth.

I thought the story line of this was great., I was excited to read it. It had a great start, the middle was intriguing but then the end just fell so flat. It could have been such a good ending and book but it felt like it was a sloppy ending and poorly planned.

Ruth Ware is one of my all-time favorite mystery authors! This newest book by her did not disappoint!

Thank you to the author and publisher for the opportunity to review this book.

This book really just took me for a ride. I loved the build up, the character development, and the writing. I would definitely read more from this author!

Another suspenseful story from Ruth Ware! I love a locked room murder mystery and I really enjoyed this book.

Ruth Ware’s books pretty much always deliver for me. This one was exactly what I needed, when I needed it: a milkshake-y page-turner about a couple who embark on a trip to a remote island to participate in a reality TV contest. Soon after they arrive, a storm hits and chaos ensues—and bodies start dropping. I loved the island environment here—it gave major Lost vibes which I so enjoyed. This is an easy read that fully sucked me in; and while I felt the end kind of fizzled out a little, it didn’t take away from my overall enjoyment. Highly recommend as a beach read or if you just need something easy and gripping to capture your attention.

This was not good. On the one hand, I don't want to be able to guess the twist too easily. On the other, I need to be able to understand it.

And this one? Oof. I found the entire premise unbelievable, and kept hoping that things would get better. I wanted a mysterious island murderer! And instead I got an angry white man, which is so common that I wasn't even surprised.

Thank you for the opportunity to read this novel. I just couldn't get into the story so I did not finish.

This fast-paced novel is a literal whirlwind when a storm ravages Ever After Island, the setting for a new love reality tv show. Five couples are chosen to compete for a grand cash prize. From the start, it is clear that the producers are disorganized and seem to be making decisions on the fly. There will be challenges, there will be love found and lost, and at the end someone gets a nice cash payout. A death occurs and the production team scatters with the first cast-off. From there the story turns bleak. What led to the death, how many more may die and as the storm creates it's own crises, who will make it to the end? Sleep with one eye open, and think twice about looking for love on reality tv. Thanks to Scout Press and Net Galley for the ARC. This was my honest review.

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! No spoilers. Beyond amazing I enjoyed this book so very much. The characters and storyline were fantastic. The ending I did not see coming Could not put down nor did I want to. Truly Amazing and appreciated the whole story. This is going to be a must read for many many readers. Maybe even a book club pick.