“The Namaste Club” by Asha Elias is debut mystery that takes place at a yoga retreat in a remote part of Florida. The story is about rich people behaving badly on their restful week away when a dead body is discovered missing an arm. The attendees become crime solvers and the ending becomes somewhat predictable and quirky. For me there were too many out there antics and descriptive sex scenes that added nothing to the story. I’m sure that there are many readers who will find this a fun read, but I had a hard time finishing the book. I hate giving negative reviews but hopefully I won’t feel the same way about the authors next book.

Thank you NetGalley and William Morrow for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I read Pink Glass Houses and enjoyed it so I was hoping for another solid domestic thriller in this one. Sadly, though, this one just didn't work for me.

The cover and synopsis instantly grabbed my attention, but I had no idea how much I would love this book! A laugh-out-loud murder mystery with revenge, unexpected friendships, and a little romance? Sign me up!

Kat, Olivia, and Elle have one thing in common: they all dated the same cheating scumbag, Tucker Jones. Fueled by betrayal, they team up to get back at him with a series of ridiculous, petty, and over-the-top pranks. But when they arrive at his house, expecting to revel in their revenge, they find Tucker dead—and suddenly, their mission takes a sharp turn. With their DNA all over the crime scene and a very solid motive, they quickly realize they need to clear their names before they go down for a murder they didn’t commit.

This book starts fast and doesn’t slow down. The banter is razor-sharp, the chemistry jokes had me cackling, and the characters are so vibrant and real that I felt like I was part of their wild, chaotic adventure. Kat, the quirky chemist, is brilliant and unpredictable. Olivia, the socialite with a keen sense of justice, adds flair and humor. Elle, the no-nonsense realist, keeps things grounded. Their unlikely friendship is the heart of the story, and watching them go from strangers to an unstoppable crime-solving trio was pure fun.

The murder mystery itself was full of twists and turns. I’ll admit, as a thriller fan, I did predict the ending about halfway through, but that didn’t take away from the ride. Every time I thought I had it figured out, a new twist threw me off just enough to keep me hooked. And let’s not forget the podcast element—Mandy’s Dish Served Hot was the perfect touch, adding layers to the mystery and making the investigation feel even more intense.

The humor, the unexpected moments of heartfelt emotion, and the pure chaos of these three women trying to navigate their way out of a murder charge made this book impossible to put down. Add in a swoon-worthy detective and the chemistry between him and Kat? Perfection.

If you love books that keep you on your toes while making you genuinely laugh out loud, The Ex-Girlfriend Murder Club is a must-read. It’s sharp, witty, and so much fun—I can’t wait to see what this author does next!

I couldn’t wait to read this book but unfortunately it in no way lived up to its potential. Poorly written, with one dimensional characters- it’s greatest redeeming quality is the setting, which is perfect.

I read Pink Glass Houses Elias’ debut novel and loved it so I had high hopes for The Namaste Club. Once again the characters are rich people behaving badly but the similarities end there. The women and one man are attending a week long yoga retreat in a remote area of Florida. Two of them are friends and they know the teacher, the appentice, and one of the other students. The last member of the group is a stranger to them all. Though there are a few worthwhile plot threads, none of the characters, except perhaps the teacher, are likable. There is too much yoga jargon and too many descriptive sex scenes which add nothing to the book. If this had been a library book, I would not have finished it. I thank NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC but I cannot recommend it. 2.5 stars rounded to 3 for me.

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read this book before actual printing.
The Namaste Club reads very quickly. It’s set in Florida. It’s about 4 women and 1 man, going to this retreat for their individual reasons.
It has many twists and turns and keeps the reader interested and one their toes.
It was a lot like the hbo show white lotus.
I really enjoyed reading this book and hope this author writes more.

When the pose becomes too intense as with life we can always come back to our breath".
As a 40 yr old who practices yoga from time to time I found this to be a good read but was disappointed with how slow it developed.
I have previously read Pink Houses and loved the drama it held but this book was less exciting for me.
I feel like I get the overall theme here but I don't think I'd pick this up to read again and again. I hate giving a less than average review but I just had high hopes going into this book and feel kinda indifferent by it.
I was given a copy of this book to read in exchange for a honest review. Thank you Netgalley.

A ragtag group made up of yoga teacher/lifecoach Shakti, aspiring yoga teacher Daniel, jewelry designer entrepreneur Indira, marketing director and Indira's bff Jessica, conservative tradwife Carol Ann and support staff Martina and her wife, Margaret are all on hand during the week long retreat at The Namaste Club in Florida. Transcendence Week turns out to be anything but relaxing and harmonious, instead packed will fighting, sex, hunting and many, many secrets. And a huge alligator named Bubba.

Narrated by all those at the retreat save for Daniel, The Namaste Club is an intriguing portrait into the wellness economy and many of its quirks. The characters drive the story and all are vibrantly brought to life here, with both their flaws and positive characteristics on display. I found the entire book to be an intensely readable look into the world of wellness and I very much enjoyed the journey. 4.25 stars.

I received this advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review and feedback.

Thank you Netgalley and William Morrow for the opportunity to review Asha Elias's newest book, the Namaste Club.
When Indira and Jessica attend a yoga retreat, they get more than what they bargained for. Hoping for some restoration and maybe a little action with the hot yoga apprentice Daniel, they instead encounter a cast of characters that borders along Nine Perfect Strangers, but in a satirical manner with a Florida spin. This book was hilarious poking fun at over the top wellness trends, but at the same time was rooted in self discovery. You learn that not everyone, even gurus, have it all figured out.

This book has no shortage of quirky characters, some likeable, some not so much. I loved that fact that we got to see characters from different cultural and social backgrounds and I like how the author tied them all together with the yoga retreat at the center. I think this book dragged a tiny bit for me at around the 60%ish mark but I pushed through and ended up finding this one to be a pretty good read. I read this author's first book, Pink Glass Houses and I think I may have liked that one a bit better, but this one was a fun read as well.

I will say that if you ever wondered Asha's political views, you will definitely get them in this book. This didn't really bother me, but if you have differing views, this book may not be the one for you.

Thank you NetGalley and William Morrow for access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A fascinating mystery novel that is perfect for fans of White Lotus and Agatha Christie! I loved the writing style and the different character perspectives that had me guessing and second guessing everything,

Elias has done it again! Another crazy, surreal satire featuring so many unique characters that you love to hate.

We've got the best friend duo—both divorced Miami moms who formed a trauma bond first from being rejected by their families and then their husbands. There's the follower of Jesus (who probably makes most followers look bad) who is the self-proclaimed perfect wife and mother, and ironically looking to be less judgmental. Then the privileged yogini looking for enlightenment. The token male yogi who is a bit too touchy, giving off bad vibes. And finally the yoga teacher and leader of the week-long yoga retreat the whole group finds themselves a part of.

As a yoga teacher myself, I found little tidbits here and there that were interesting to read from the students' POV. I definetly felt Elias knew her stuff and when it came to poses, chants, and the limbs of yoga (for the most part).

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book!

What an entertaining and fun read! You never know what antics are going to ensue when you get a group of very different women together for a yoga retreat! It kept me laughing and questioning the meaning of life through the eyes of these characters. A perfect summer read.

Look for my full review in Library Journal.
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This is a fun, beach read for 2025. Perfect for fans of Liane Moriarty and Taylor Jenkins Reid.

Thank to William Morrow and Net Galley for a ARC of this novel in return for a honest review. I enjoyed the author’s first novel Pink Glass Houses and looked forward to reading this one. It did not disappoint! A fast paced story with a memorable cast of characters, that had me guessing until the end. 5 yoga students and their instructor descend upon a Florida resort for a week of meditation and renewal. What they discover about themselves and each other is a lot more than anyone expected. This is the perfect beach read.

4 stars
This book was funny, satirical, and pokes fun at yoga, the rich, Florida, and many other things.
I feel like the author did a great job at giving you a look into all the characters and drawing you in to their stories and how they unfold at this Yoga retreat where one attendee is murdered. This story unfolds over the course of the retreat from the perspectives of the attendees, the yoga instructor, and one of the workers at the retreat. It unfolds in a way that tells you everything led up to the murder of one attendee in a humorous yet thought provoking way as the characters all remind me of people I've met in my life.
I laughed during this book many times and was appalled at times as well by certain characters. I will say Carol Ann is one of the most annoying characters in the book along with Daniel, but I still recommend reading this for a fun, good time.

I loved Pink Glass Houses so I jumped at the chance to request this one!

The Namaste Club is laugh-out-loud funny & incredibly entertaining. During Transcendence Week, a group of wealthy, flawed, & hilarious characters come together to explore a wellness journey.
The yoga group is made of the instructor with a past, one who has taken a vow of silence, two best friends who work together, one very maga/political type local mom. One male attendee. Plus we have the hosts/caretakers. They all have their own secrets and I loved seeing their relationships develop. With all of this developing and allowing the reader to know this was leading to murder, but who was the murderer and why?

Even though I did guess part of the story it was such a fun read and it just goes to show you can bring incredibly different people together and still do the right thing!

Pub date : 7/1/25

Thanks to Netgalley , William Morrow Books and the author for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Namaste, all! Ohhh I’m bummed! I absolutely loved Pink Glass Houses so I jumped at the opportunity to grab this one but it just didn’t have the same effect on me. I struggled with the word salad of yogi talk for sure. I did enjoy the catty drama when it appeared though!

The Namaste Club follows a hodge podge group of individuals who embark on a journey of self-discovery and empowerment through yoga and mindfulness, but is it truly achievable to not judge others? Is everyone really here for the right reasons?

Overall, it’s an easy read that is perfect for a light escape!

Thank you NetGalley and William Morrow for my advanced copy!
Pub. Date: July 1, 2025

What a fun read!

When a group of strangers, eccentric in their own right, gather for a new-age wellness retreat is the sweaty swamplands of South Florida, what could possibly go wrong?

Think Carl Hiaasen blended with Liane Moriarty's Nine Perfect Strangers and garnished with a dollop of Bravo Housewife flair.

I also read the author's first book, Pink Glass Houses, and thoroughly enjoyed it!

This is Asha Elias at the top of her game. I devoured this biting, hilarious novel in two or three sittings. It's not just a fun mystery; it effectively satirizes the scary and regressive undercurrent in the wellness industry. In short: I came for the drama, but stayed for the perineum sunning.