Nico convinces girlfriend, Lyla to go on a couples reality show on a remote island to further his acting career. When a storm arrives things go from bad to worse. Now it's a game of survival.

I have read many Ware books that I have loved. I loved this one too but it did feel different. It was interesting to see how the characters react to being in this situation. As you would expect some did great, some did not. I liked that you did not know from the start who would be the villain of the show or the one in "reality". I didn't feel there were any real surprises as I've come to expect from a Ware book, but I enjoyed the ride all the same.

Thanks to netgalley and Gallery Books for the arc.

I’m a big fan of Ms. Ware’s books. This one was another good one. It started out a little slow, but quickly gained momentum and hooked me. I found the premise interesting, with the tv show storyline. It reminded me of “And then there were none”, but most of her books have an Agatha Christie feel to them, and I love it!
If you like mysteries, and a good whodunit book, this is the book for you!
It was well plotted and written. Highly recommend.

I love this author, one of my go to authors. I wasn't too sure when I introduced to the characters and the main girl and her boyfriend were such opposites, her being a scientist. Her personality wasn't as I was expecting, in a good way. I like thrillers, mysteries, books with twists. I had a hunch about the twist and what connected everyone, but wasn't 100% sold on my hunch, which was great, kept me guessing. I'm not sure this is my favorite of her books, but still a good read.

What does a scientist do when her actor boyfriend wants to go on a reality show to up his career? She says yes and the chaos of One Perfect Couple begins. Headed to an island to have their relationship put in front of the cameras, Lyla and Nico are fleeing their career ruts. Nico is in his element but Lyla is not making her a little more observant to the darker underside of what this reality show is all about. As they get to know the other couples and start participating in the challenges soon their bond starts quaking and the island starts becoming sinister. I enjoyed the mix of the Agatha Christie vibes with the reality tv sphere. The plot dragged on and I found myself losing interest but I was glad I finished.

Thank you NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

Four couples agree to participate in a Survivor/Love Island reality TV show in this (loose) And Then There Were None retelling before a storm hits the island unexpectedly and what used to be a fun, low-stakes competition quickly becomes a fight against the elements, lack of resources, and each other for survival.

Overall, I really enjoyed reading this newest release from Ware. I always enjoy listening to Imogen Church’s narration, so if you’re into audiobooks I’d highly recommend experiencing the story in that way.

I thought the tension and frustration felt throughout really drove the narrative. At first, I was concerned I wouldn’t connect to any of the characters, but by about the halfway point I had found myself rooting for three of them to make it off the island.

Though there was no real “twist” (you know who the antagonist is at about the 30% mark), the suspense and survival premise bumped this up to a Top 3 Ruth Ware book for me. Turn of the Key and One by One still come out ahead for me personally, but One Perfect Couple makes me excited for Ware’s future releases!

Short synopsis: Lyla and her boyfriend Nico join a new reality show called “One Perfect Couple” on a remote island.

My thoughts: Ruth is one of my go-to authors for a thrilling read. While there aren’t necessarily any big “twists” there is definitely tons moments keeping you on the edge of your seat. There were moments where I gasped out loud!

This reminded me a lot of Survivor, and I really liked the inside look at the social aspects of how people reacted when they were starving for food, or desperate for water. That’s when real feeling and humanity (or lack of humanity) shows.

Read if you love:
- Reality TV
- Remote island locations
- Locked “room” setting
- Survival instincts

I was so excited for a new book from one of my favorite authors. He book started off strong. The premise was interesting and I wasn’t sure where the story would go. Somewhere in the middle, I lost interest. I didn’t feel like I cared about the charactes and what happened. I am not sure if it is because I wasn’t able to commit long stretches to reading the book or if the characters weren’t worthy of interest. The ending was not a huge surprise. I will still enthusiastically look for Ruth Ware books but this was not a favorite

Ruth Ware does not disappoint. This is like Agatha Christie set in a reality television show. Five couples are trapped on an island as a killer roams among them. There are day to day survival aspects — things that would be thrilling and intriguing on their own. And there are “there’s a murderer on the lose” survival tactics. Blending the two makes for fast paced, thrilling reading!

Another home run by Ruth Ware! I love the cozy mystery feel of her work combined with the drama/thrill of darker mysteries. The plot and characters are dynamic and keep you guessing throughout the book. I stayed up all night to finish this one!

Ruth Ware is masterful at creating mysteries in unique and mind grabbing ways. I read this book in two days as I was captivated by the premise of her story and all the twists and turns she so skillfully wove throughout. We all know that reality TV is not real, but this book goes to prove that reality can be much more scary and devastating than even the most devious of television execs can dream up. Backstabbing, storms, accidents, murders, and other unthinkable crimes are all tied up together to keep you thinking about this book when you’re not even reading it. I would highly recommend any book that Ruth Ware writes and enjoyed reading this one. Thank you to NetGalley for the advance read copy.

Five couples arrive on a remote island for reality TV, what could go wrong? Since this intriguing thriller in by Ruth Ware, readers know they are in for a ride. The setting was so well crafted, I could imagine the water, the villas, the coconut trees and the island jungle. There were a lot of twists, and in many ways this book modeled Lord of the Flies, which was even referenced in the story. I was engaged throughout, eager to find out what was happening next. Ultimately, the conclusion wasn’t as satisfying as some of Ware’s previous novels. 3.5 stars

I thought this was a very entertaining and suspenseful read. Nothing like a reality show gone wrong, stranded on an online with And Then There Were None vibes. It was captivating and intense and definitely had quite a few twists and turns. There are so many characters with strong personalities and a few that I hated and I know you're definitely supposed to and I'll just leave it at karma's a b****.

Ugh this books!! So it starts out super slow and kind of annoying how ever as the book goes on it gets a lot better

Lyla is a scientist in London and her boyfriend Niko is a wanna be actor ya know how that goes. When he is offered a chance to go to a tropical island and star on a reality about dating, he tries to get Lyla to go she finally decides okay why not.

When they get there with 4 other couple and hearing how crappy the set up is and how unrealistic this place is things get crazy then a storm comes and sinks the boat that has all the crew on after the elimination contestant is on and they are stranded on and island. Things go missing people start getting killed then the ending!! Not okay

I don’t know if I just predict how things go because I read a lot or if this is that predictable but you saw where it was going about 30% though, how it was going to go but it was good. I would recommend highly for thriller to kill the after noon!

Five couples participate in a reality show set on an isolated island in the Indian Ocean. When a storm hits, two people are dead and the remaining contestants find themselves deserted with dwindling supplies of food and water. It doesn't take long for things to deteriorate and the worst of human nature to reveal itself.
Fans of Ms Ware won't want to miss this book.

Would you go on a reality show that was part Love Island and part Survivor? Lyla, a scientist, and Nico, a struggling actor, are at a place in their relationship where things have run their course. Lyla is ready to exit. But then Nico signs them up to spend some time on a remote island for a reality show. He promises Lyla some time in paradise to rest and relax. But it isn't long before things go wrong and people start dying. The remaining contestants are isolated from the world, low on food and water, and forced to look around at each other in suspicion. This book compares itself to And Then There Were None. I spent the first two-thirds of this book trying to figure out what the twist would be, but it turns out I shouldn't have bothered. The end was abrupt and the plot just seemed to fizzle out. I wanted so much more at the end. I enjoyed the tension and interactions in this book, but with such a disappointing end I felt like I had been led on.

One Perfect Couple was a mid level suspense for me. Is there a twist ending...yes, kind of. Did it surprise me....no. Could it have been a couple of different endings...yes. Did I care about anyone on the island....nope-likeablity was low and understanding of why the main heroine was even there was questionable. It was ok. I can see it being a fun book on a tropical vacation, but for me- it was nothing new or ground breaking.

About the Book: This is a book about reality show contestants stranded on a small island after a huge storm cuts them off from civilization. They have to survive until help arrives (if it will arrive?), as tensions rise and their situation becomes bleaker by the day. Many of the contestants aren’t surviving - is it by accident, or something more sinister?

Read this book if you:
- want to read a combination of Then There Were None and Lord of the Flies
- are a fan of reality shows like Survivor or Love Island, or at least appreciate the behind the scenes aspects of it
- imagine Theo James casted in a lot of books you read (because you can’t tell me he wouldn’t be an AMAZING Connor!)

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this one! The beginning takes a bit to get used to all the reality show characters, but I think Ruth Ware does a great job at making them all different enough while simultaneously reminding us who is who as you read. Then as the group’s numbers dwindle, they are even easier to keep track of. This book does a great job making you feel the tension and the claustophia of the island, and the characters are entertaining to read about. I kept turning pages and I think this would be a great summer read!

This one is classic Ruth Ware she just added a survival and reality show element. I wasn't big on the whole couple swapping idea even if it was "just for TV." This one does take readers on a different path than her gothic tales, just like her last one.

Ruth Ware does it again! This was a really, really good thriller, A reality show-5 couples on a remote island and the couple that isn't voted off is the winner. But it doesn't get that far because a horrific storm destroys most of the infrastructure and all communication to the mainland is cut off. If the storm didn't kill them, there is a killer amongst them. Who is it and why? This story kept me on the edge of my seat throughout the story. Enjoyed the arc of the main character Lyla who although reluctant to come was persuaded by her handsome, aspiring actor Nico. As conditions deteriorate Lyla finds the mental, emotional and physical strength to survive.

Thank you NetGalley for an ARC of this book.

Many thanks to the Publisher and NetGalley for the advanced copy!

2.5 stars

I hate to say it but there was literally nothing I liked about this. I LOVED Ruth Ware’s older works but the last few have done little or nothing for me. This being in the nothing category. Even the writing didn’t feel up to Ware’s standard. This may be the last book I read from her and it makes me sad.