This was the juicy sequel to Beneath the Surface, as the Kingley’s return from a disastrous trip. What a wild ride!

There were plenty of twists, and I love a good plot full of family dysfunction.

I listened to the audio format, which featured a full narration cast, and added bonus to really voice the multiple characters and POVs. Highly entertaining!

*many thanks to Brilliance Publishing, Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for the gifted copy for review

3.5 stars

I loved the song of this book because I’m familiar with the area, and I was entertained by the story, but nothing stuck with me. It’s been a while since I read it which is part of the problem but the reason it’s taken me so long to write a review is because I really had nothing to contribute even right after listening to it.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this ARC!

This book was not for me. I tried a few times to read this but could only get past the first few chapters. I really wanted to like it but not for me.

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!

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.

Under the Palms by Kaira Rouda

Thank you so much Brilliance Audio, Thomas & Mercer, & NetGalley for the free audiobook.

Blurb:
During a weekend retreat, a powerful family plays a dangerous game of dark secrets and cold blooded ambition.

My thoughts:
A super fast and entertaining listen, this is one you’ll want to read or listen to! I didn’t realize this was the second book in a series but what happened in the first was mentioned so I wasn’t lost at all. I’m not going to lie, I went into this book COMPLETELY blind. I requested it because it was part of a summer reading challenge for BookSparks but I’m so happy I was approved for it because it was good! The entire cast of narrators did a marvelous job with this story and they all kept me on my toes!! I loved it and I will recommend it. Under the Palms is out NOW.

Happy reading 📖

Under The Palms:⁣
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Thank you @thrillerbookloversthepulse for my gifted copy.⁣
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I’ll have to admit this was my first Kaira Rouda book. Will it be my last? Absolutely not. Holy macaroni I have been living underneath a rock! ⁣
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This is the second book in The Kingsley series, but I did not read book one (see above comment about my first book by author.. duh) I didn’t feel too lost about what happened because a lot of it was discussed with background to set the tone for book two. But, I will go back and read it now because I love to hate and hate to love The Kingsleys!⁣
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This family is wild y’all. They are like.. a reality show billionaire family on steroids. Or maybe like a Days of Our Lives power family. They’re all not good, all have alterior motives, and all are wicked as hell. But, they are all snarky, and I can get down with that. ⁣
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Explosive turns and twists at every moment, I was shocked and enjoyed it. Audio is a FULL CAST (IYKYK) and I loved the different POVs. Highly recommend audio.⁣
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Hope it’s the best book birthday ever! (Out today if that’s not clear)⁣
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QOTD: What is your first purchase if you inherited one million dollars?

Who doesn't love rich people behaving badly? As book 2 in the Kingsley series, I was excited to pick up where we left off in Beneath the Surface. The Kingsleys are back and worse than ever. With short chapters and a full cast narration, I really enjoyed listening to this one.

📖 𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌: Under The Palms by Kaira Rouda {The Kingsleys book two}
🌟 𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈: ✰✰✰✰
🖤 𝒈𝒆𝒏𝒓𝒆: thriller
🤓 𝒘𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝑰 𝒓𝒆-𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅? I definitely will after I go back and read book one🙃
📝 𝒒𝒖𝒊𝒄𝒌 𝒕𝒂𝒌𝒆: Welp, that was a fun one!! If you love a good rich people behaving badly trope (I’m a sucker for it!), you should add this to your tbr! ~ Although I highly recommend reading book one, Beneath the Surface, before diving into Under the Palms. ~ This book is chock full of family drama, deceit and, of course, murder. If you’re looking for a popcorn thriller to read this summer, this may be the series for you!🍿🏝️

This story started off good and kept me engaged throughout. The narrators did a wonderful job with the characters’ voices and personalities. I loved the family drama dynamic and the strong female main character. I will say, the ending felt rushed and I wish it would’ve been fleshed out more. But overall a solid read.

This was really good! Domestic suspense, high rollers, and a slow build to a really good and strong finish!

I will say, there's lots of people to keep up with, but if you stay with it, I think you'll be able to enjoy the ending!

"Under the Palms" is a domestic suspense novel filled with enough drama to keep any reader on their toes. There’s a lot going on and a lot of characters to follow. While the initial pace might be slow to draw you in, stick with it, because the ending delivers unexpected twists that will leave you reeling.


The audiobook of "Under the Palms" has excellent narration that brings the story to life in vivid detail. Each character is masterfully voiced, adding depth and dimension to their personalities. The narrator's skillful delivery keeps listeners engaged from start to finish, enhancing the drama and intrigue of the plot.
Whether you're lounging by the pool or on a long commute, this audiobook is the perfect choice for those who love stories packed with intrigue, backstabbing, and juicy plotlines. This book is a rollercoaster ride of emotions! Get ready to be swept away into a world where nothing is as it seems, and you can trust no one under the palms.

If you like rich people behaving badly, then the Kingsleys series is the one for you. This family is the worst: greedy, backstabbing, conniving, and out for revenge. While none of the characters are likeable, it's a blast to read about their dumpster fire of a corporate retreat.

Pick this one up this summer for an entertaining popcorn thriller that will make a good poolside read.

I enjoyed the update to Beneath the Surface. The characters are the same--no one has learned their lesson, but new alliances have formed and some people are getting what they deserve. I wouldn't read this one without knowing how Beneath the Surface ended, but there's enough info to figure out the gist if you dive right in.

The end of Under the Palms seemed to be setting up a third book in the series, so we might not be done with this family yet!

Thank you Brilliance audiobooks for the free review copy of Under the Palms by Kaira Rouda. I listened to the first book, Beneath The Surface, with the Kingsley family last year and enjoyed the bad rich people scandal vibes in that book and this one is the same, a fun, multi narrated performance that is pure escapist fun. Perfect for fans of Succession and themes on power and greed, the ways that wealth brings out the worst in some people. I thought the narration style for each character was really well done, captured the different motivations/thoughts nicely, and made for a fun audiobook experience.

Under the Palms by Kaira Rouda was a fun and exciting story. I have loved some of Rouda's previous works before, and this one did not disappoint. It was half succession and half Just Go With It. I had so much fun getting to know this family. The story was filled with entertainment, interesting characters and a full engaging plot that will keep the reader engaged. Overall I would highly recommend this book to others.

UNDER THE PALMS was another exciting story from Kaira Rouda. It's filled with secrets, lies, and a ton of drama. This is book two of The Kingsleys Series. I would recommend listening to BENEATH THE SURFACE first. Once you do, you will see how far these characters have come. I really enjoyed the audiobook. It was easy to listen to and just an overall, fun story. The ending was jaw dropping!! If you like surprises, this is the story for you!

Many thanks to Brilliance Audio and NetGalley for my gifted ALC.

This review will be shared to my Instagram (@coffee.break.book.reviews) close to publication date.

Before diving into this audiobook, I delved into the world of the Kingsley Clan through "Beneath the Surface" and "Under the Palms" in book format. This family, with their unique dynamics of power struggles, hidden agendas, and deep-seated rivalries, has become like my own, and I've visualized each of their faces and voices. Of course, the actual voices in the audiobook don't match those in my head, lol. The tale is soapy and delicious, but the audiobook version disappoints. There are six narrators, and I didn't feel the strong Kingsley presence in some of the voices.

Prepare yourself for a whirlwind of drama in Kaira Rouda's newest thriller, the latest installment of the Kingsley series. The eccentric Kingsley Clan is back; this time, they're more unpredictable than ever! I was fortunate to secure an early copy for review courtesy of Thriller Book Lovers Promotions and NetGalley. I can confidently assert that this book is a must-read for all thriller enthusiasts, especially those familiar with the Kingsley Clan's unique dynamics.

Kaira Rouda is a master storyteller; her latest work is no exception. With Richard Kingsley's heart failing, the whole family is vying for their place in the company before it's too late. And let me tell you, these guys are ready to do whatever it takes to come out on top. The Kingsley women have even joined forces, putting aside their former animosity to take down their opponents. It's a ruthless battle that will leave you reaching for the popcorn and wine as you watch the claws emerge.

As a devoted fan of Kaira Rouda, I eagerly anticipate each new thriller she releases, often diving in without reading the blurb. I am confident in her ability to deliver a gripping story. And she certainly doesn't disappoint with this series! I hope we get one final book to wrap up the Kingsley series neatly.

Thanks to the publishers for providing this audiobook through NetGalley. As always, these are my genuine thoughts, shared willingly.

Summary: In this second novel about the Kingsley family, the reader finds the clan gathered at a posh resort in Laguna Beach for a “corporate retreat” organized by the current CEO, Paige Kingsley. The family is as quarrelsome as ever – with patriarch Richard expressing his disapproval of Paige and intention to remove her from her position after only a year, while Ted and John jockey for position and attention. The rumours continue to swirl around the death of John’s wife aboard the family yacht a year previously, and former spouses Ted and Paige are now bitter rivals and enemies. Prodigal daughter Sibley returns to the scene as an ally for Paige, as well as the disgraced Serena, having left her disappointing Italian lover. As Paige struggles to focus everyone on the company’s future, the infighting continues and the Santa Ana winds wail outside, unsettling everyone and creating an ominous atmosphere.

Thoughts: I listened to this second installment about the Kingsleys on audio, which was a fun way to experience this naughty family. The novels give me a guilty pleasure feeling – rather like surreptitiously watching a racy reality TV show. The Kingsley men are as vile as ever - Ted drinks like a fish and sleeps around; John whines about how unfair his life is and schemes ways to overthrow Paige; while Richard bullies and manipulates everyone around him. Not to be outdone, Paige is loving her newfound status and power and has no intention of losing it, while Serena plots her way back into Richard’s life, and a new woman, “Crystal Carrington” (hello Dynasty fans!) targets John and his fat wallet. It is all in poor taste and amoral. It is also great fun! I will definitely be reading, or listening to, the next one to find out what happens in this wealthy, scandalous family. Thanks to Brilliance Audio for providing a copy of the audiobook.