A psychological thriller where our characters are cut off from everything and everyone is one of my favorite kinds of books, so it is no surprise that I was excited to read One Perfect Couple by Ruth Ware. Lyla has been dragged onto a new reality TV show by her boyfriend Nico who has aspirations of using it as a platform to fame. The new show will be filmed in the middle of the Indian Ocean, and five couples will compete to determine the winner. From the very beginning, things felt a little off with the production, but when a massive storm leaves the couples completely cut off from not just the producers, but the entire world, things turn deadly.

The story grabbed hold of me with the anxiety-inducing action, but it was the smartly written characters that did not let me go. The ongoing battle for survival had me turning pages. Lyla is the narrator and I liked her voice and approach to what was unfolding. We learn that some of those stranded have secrets and the weaving of their narratives worked well for me.

This is a good read and while a little longer than necessary, I absolutely enjoyed the ride.

Thank you, NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review.

Thank you to the publisher for the gifted (free) ARC

Deserted island, group of strangers, new reality tv show gone wrong? Count me in!

In a fan of this authors writing in general, and this book was no disappointment. I breezed through it in one sitting and was intrigued throughout the story. I’d definitely recommend it for fans of her previous books, and the genre!

I've read a lot of thrillers through the years, and this one unfortunately, just didn't hit the mark for me. I wish it did! I hate leaving poor feedback for an author because it's got to be incredibly hard to write a book, and I never want to make anyone feel badly about their work. As a reader of A LOT of books though, and many thrillers, this one was a let down! There was so much room for shocking events and twists that would keep the reader on edge, and it just didn't happen! I knew the ending and who was responsible the whole time! Everything was just so...blah! My jaw was never on the floor--and that's what I need for a GREAT thriller! In fact, by 65%, I just started reading dialogue and skipping chunks of narration so that I could move on. Ruth Ware is typically a great author, but this one was not her best work. It's thriller lite--diet thriller, if you will.


Side note: the characters' names drove me nuts! Zana and Santana...really? Of all the names in the world, we had to have RHYMING names to confuse the reader? I couldn't keep track of who was with who!

Thank you for the ARC to review, #NetGalley! #RuthWare #OnePerfectCouple

Entering into the pages of this novel was meant to be a journey filled with hope and excitement, fueled by my admiration for the author's previous works. However, what awaited within its covers was a devastating letdown, leaving me grappling with feelings of profound disappointment.

Despite my initial optimism, the narrative quickly unraveled into a shallow and predictable tale, failing to capture the essence and magic of the author's earlier creations. The promise of strong female characters, while initially appealing, proved to be nothing more than a superficial veneer, unable to compensate for the glaring deficiencies in plot and character development.

What added to the disappointment was the delayed introduction of elements that held the potential to elevate the story. These glimpses of brilliance emerged far too late, unable to salvage the sinking ship of disappointment.

Furthermore, the pacing felt rushed, with revelations and resolutions presented in a manner that robbed them of any emotional impact. Instead of leaving the reader pondering the intricacies of the narrative, everything was laid bare prematurely, depriving the story of genuine engagement and depth.

In summary, my experience with this novel serves as a poignant reminder that even esteemed authors are susceptible to creative missteps. While the presence of strong female connections provided fleeting satisfaction, it was ultimately overshadowed by the myriad shortcomings that plagued this literary endeavor.

For those who, like myself, approached this novel with high hopes, the bitter taste of disappointment lingers long after the final page is turned.

I would’ve liked to see more of the reality tv drama from the first 25% of the book, but it turned into a survival story. Not my favorite Ruth Ware story but it kept my attention.

Thank you to Net Galley and Gallery books for providing me with a copy of this title to read and give an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
I like a good thriller. Ruth Ware has definitely written a few that have kept me on the edge of my seat. I was excited to jump into this one and see where it went. Clearly she knows how to keep the suspense up as evidenced in this fast paced thriller! There's a reason she is one of the psychological queens of suspense!
Five couples set out to take part in a reality show where they are challenged to show they are the perfect couple, But things go exceedingly wrong when a storm hits the island where they are located and they are left to fend for themselves without any of the staff to help them out. Now they have to fend for themselves with limited supplies and no way to potentially be saved.
This book gave me total Lord of the Flies feels. I remember reading it in school and not believing something so horrific could happen. But the truth is, it is our instincts as humans to keep ourselves alive. And in stressful situations we will do anything to survive.
Ware introduces us to characters who are each distinct and bring something interesting to the plot. She writes them so true to life, you feel easily connected and know they could for sure be real life people you might meet every day. For me, it was easy to get attached to certain characters. At the same time, I was worried to truly like any of them because I knew there would be deaths among the group. And Ware did well to keep you in the dark as to the true reality of why the couples were chosen until the last moment when all is revealed!
The narrator is Lyla, a virologist whose boyfriend is trying to break out as an actor. When presented with the opportunity to come on the show, he wants to jump at the chance. But she is skeptical, even after she meets with the producer. She doesn't have a good feeling about any of it. But she gives in and decides to let him have his time in the spotlight. During the book we get some glimpses of other characters who use the one radio left to try and contact someone for rescue. And we get a glimpse of Zana, who writes diary entries of what is happening on the island. These perspectives allow a good amount of mystery to build as each character slowly gets picked off.
I think what I liked most about this book is Ware didn't make circumstances that seemed too far out of the box to have happened. I could truly see myself reacting as the characters did in their situation. It was very true to life.
This book delivers great tension which kept me captivated and often on the edge of my seat. I found the first 50% to be more of a slow build as characters were established and things started to happen. Since the cast of characters was larger, it took a bit for me to sus out each one and remember who they were. Then in the second half I could not put the book down. I was thrown into the intensity of the plot and gripped by the suspense. I needed to know where it would go and how it would end. There was definitely some pulse pounding happening during many scenes. And the ending was not at all what I thought it would be!
This is my favorite book by Ware by far. If you're interested in Love Island meets Survivor, you'll love Ware's twists and turns in this action packed thriller!

A socially relevant, twisty thriller that is perfect for the author's dedicated fan-base. A reality dating show on at a luxury island resort goes horribly wrong when a massive hurricane rolls through. A pecking order is quickly established, but in the end, the show is an afterthought and a true villain is revealed.

Another wild ride from Ruth Ware! This books starts as a slow burn was we get to know the main characters and what is happening in their lives that allow them to be drawn into to reality show. Lyla attends to support her boyfriend Nico and from the moment the step on the island the book kicks off. From shocks about the first person to leave the island to the storm and aftermath I couldn't put this down. As the story winds on Lyla finds herself fighting for her life and those of her...friends??

Really 3.75, maybe? The beginning quarter is a LOT of setup. Ware does an excellent job making the storm that wreaks havoc on the island a harrowing experience for the reader. I rooted for the female characters (and Dan!) on the island. The time does drag a bit on the island until we get to the finale, which is well done. Although, I do think the wrap up as to "why" is a bit weak.

This book is a classic Ruth Ware book. The plot had you thinking one thing and the end provides a twist. Really enjoyed her writing style in this one as well. Would recommend to anyone who likes Ruth Ware.

"One Perfect Couple" by Ruth Ware is a chilling exploration of deception, desperation, and the dark depths of the human psyche. Set against the backdrop of a remote island, this gripping tale draws readers into a twisted game of survival where nothing is as it seems. At its heart, the book is an exploration of the human psyche under duress, as a group of contestants is sent to an island for a reality TV show. After a major hurricane hits the island, primal instincts and buried secrets surface, setting the stage for a gripping psychological battle.

In general, I appreciated the progression of the book, though I found the conclusion to be somewhat exaggerated. I believe she could have streamlined it somewhat.

I loved the remote island setting with an upcoming storm and no possibility of contact with the outside world; it was creepy and I was there for it.

The thing is, I’m not into reality tv shows and all the drama so the conversations between the characters and just the whole concept was a tad boring to me buuuuuut there were some comical moments thrown in there that made me chuckle. 

Moreover, as a fan of The Woman in Cabin 10, I loved the cheeky little mention :D

Now, I had high hopes for this one so I went into it expecting a whirlwind of thrill, mystery and twists that make you question your sanity and I got none of that, null, zero. 

As the book was reaching its end, my hopes were slowly dwindling and when it all was said and done, I just stood there, trying to figure out what was thrilling about this thriller and nothing came to mind.

This was definitely not my cup of tea but it might be yours.

Finally I am fully back to loving and devouring Ruth Ware's books. I was getting a little worried there for awhile but this book I devoured in one sitting and I couldn't put it down for anything.

I'm not normally one for books that revolve around reality TV or any kind of games but I'm making a full exception for this one. I loved everything about the survivor-esque game and having the couples competing against each other. Another thing I loved is how quickly in the story the thrills and suspense started, it made it a more enjoyable read instead of waiting until the middle of the book for things to really get going.

The description Ruth Ware used to describe the setting and how the characters were feeling was so good that I was legit hot and dying with thirst while reading this. The tension between the characters was fantastic and the eeriness and spookiness of this island had me never wanting to travel anywhere near water.

The ending is what really cinched a 5 star for me, everything was perfectly wrapped up, sad, and thrilling, honestly there wasn't anything I didn't enjoy about this book. This was a book that played in my head like a movie thanks to her awesome depictions and how she set everything up which doesn't happen very often for me. I'm very excited to see what she comes up with next as this author is now back on my favorite authors list.

This is my third, maybe fourth book by Ruth Ware but it’s not top of my list. Maybe because I’m not a fan of reality TV. Five couples are selected for a reality show staged on a beautiful remote island. One thing after another happens, a bad storm, being stranded on the island, quickly diminishing food and water to name a few. People are hurt or killed until it becomes obvious that there is a murderer on the island. The book seemed to drag on for a bit in the middle with some details that could have been eliminated. The entire book , and especially the ending, was fast paced and well written, just not my cup of tea.

A perfect beach read, you will be up all night reading until the end. I loved Ruth Wares latest book about Lyla a research scientist and her boyfriend Nick who is an aspiring actor. Nickś agent calls to tell him about a reality tv show called One Perfect Couple that he thinks will help jump start Nicks career. Lyla is facing a possible lay off from her current lab job when her contract is up in a few months so she agrees to be a supportive girlfriend and join Nick as contestant on the show. They are soon surprised by certain elements of the show like the remote location of Ever After Island and the lack of technology on the island. Lyla and Nick are left to compete the first challenge on the island with 5 other couples and things do not go as they all had planned. The first challenge rattles many of the couples and divides one as night falls. The director and crew leave by boat to return with more food and supplies in the morning. A tropical storm hits and uproots and injuries some of the cast. The boat fails to return the next day and the real surviving begins. Will the boat come back? Will they have enough food and fresh water?

This was my first Ruth Ware book and I had no idea what to expect.

The book began with Lyla and Nico, both of whom seemed very likeable. I was definitely rooting for them, even tho I was obviously skeptical of the reality show.

What’s left is their arrival at the island and the time spent there. In order to avoid spoilers, I will say this. I liked the book! I wanted to keep reading more to see what would happen. However, I honestly wouldn’t consider this a thriller. A slight mystery, but definitely not a thriller. Good characters, good dialogue and a good ending. I feel very satisfied.

The advance reader copy was provided by NetGalley and Scout Press but all opinions are my own.

Enjoyed the setting and premise of the book. There were a lot of characters to keep track of, so I struggled to keep up with their back stories. Loved the 3 parts and inclusion of the italicized journal entries throughout!

Five couples are invited to participate in the filming of a reality show set on an uninhabited island a day's sailing off the Indonesian coast. A violent storm leaves the community in tatters, both in terms of the island's infrastructure, as well as well as the survivors, one of whom is a killer. Will anyone make it off the island alive?

The book started a little slow, but the pace quickly escalated along with the tropical storm. The suspense keeps the reader engaged to the very last page. Four stars were given instead of five due to the excessive, and entirely unnecessary, use of the f word in virtually every instance of shock, surprise, anger, and frustration and by virtually every character.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

One Perfect Couple is thrilling and intense in parts and I really had high hopes for this locked-room, deserted island thriller. However, the way it all gets tied up at the end greatly disappointed me and ruined what could have been a 5-star read. What stared out as an intriguing, unique reality show that promises drama with its premise of mixing up couples to find one perfect couple gets destroyed when a disastrous storm hits the island, making it a game of survival. Who will win? Thank you to NetGalley and Scout Press for the advanced copy on exchange for my honest review.

One Perfect Couple by Ruth Ware is a good fit for readers who enjoy suspenseful stories about survival and uncovering the truth in unexpected situations.

Lyla is in a bit of a rut. Her post-doctorate research has fizzled out, she’s pretty sure her contract will not be extended, and things with her boyfriend, Nico, an aspiring actor, aren’t going great. When the opportunity arises for Nico to join the cast of a new reality TV show, The Perfect Couple, she decides to try out with him. This is the big break she needs! A whirlwind preproduction process later, Lyla finds herself whisked off to a tropical paradise with Nico, boating through the Indian Ocean towards Ever After Island, where the two of them will compete against four other couples—Bayer and Angel, Dan and Santana, Joe and Romi, and Connor and Zana—in order to win a cash prize.
Alas, not long after they arrive on the deserted island, things start going wrong. After the first challenge leaves everyone rattled and angry, an overnight storm takes matters from bad to worse. Cut off from the mainland by miles of ocean, deprived of their phones, and unable to reach the boat and crew that brought them there, the group must band together for survival. Tensions run high and fresh water runs low. Then, one by one, contestants start to die. Lyla suddenly realizes she and Nico are trapped on the island with a murderer on the loose…and nowhere to hide.

This was my first Ruth Ware book. I enjoyed the suspense of this book, however I felt it started to drag on halfway through. I was anxious to see how it ended and was finding myself waiting for it to end just so I could find out what happened.