Jude and Sophie have had a few problems, so take a long holiday to visit their friends Nate and Layla who are living as digital nomads in Bali. The two couples have been friends for a long time but they all have secrets from and about each other. Sophie is still angry with Layla for getting drunk and ruining her wedding, and it seems that she wants to punish Layla.
Bali is beautiful, but there are problems. Nate and Layla have got involved with some dodgy people, and there are constant delays with the building of their new villa.
This book is well done for this type of revenge thriller, there are lots of unexpected twists and turns, and the ending is really good.
Recommended

This is my first book by Nikki Smith and I really enjoyed it. The descriptions of Bali are lush and evoke the heat, landscape and people so beautifully.
The two couples have their secrets which are gradually revealed and kept me guessing until the very end.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.

This book is okay. It felt rather slow and lacking in depth. I've found her other books much faster paced and exciting.
The wrapping up of characters' reasonings and motives at the end had too many unbelievable coincidences

I thought this sounded like a good summer read even though you couldn't pay me to ever go to Bali.
In my absolute honest opinion i feel like a more appropriate synopsis would be, "Hints of Secrets, Booze, Food, Decent Descriptions of the Area, F-Bombs, A Slightly Interesting Side Story, Rinse-Repeat."
I could not stand any of the characters which, fair enough, might have been written that way on purpose. I became increasingly anxious to get to the end once i realised by 30% in that we were going to be stuck in rinse-repeat for the long run; This is where i would normally perma-dnf a book, but stuck with it. It nearly picked up around 88% and then finally ended on an okay note.
Thank you to Penguin General UK for this ARC copy. I will not be sharing my review until "around publication" As Requested. xox

The very best thing in the book is the lush descriptions of Bali.

I found both of the couples not particularly gripping and a lot of the action is very predictable.

I do enjoy Nikki Smiths books ,I found this to be quite an entertaining read as usual ,had quite the unexpected twist towards the end .

This book centres around two couples, Nate/Layla and Sophie/Jude. Initially they seem to have relatively normal, if not enviable lives. As the book progresses, we see lies and secrets that come out and threaten to unravel their "perfect" lives.

I definitely found this book an interesting read. I just found some of the sentence structure to be a bit difficult to process at times and that took me out of the story a bit.

The characters were interesting and well developed, though I found myself frustrated with all of them and their decisions quite often. That's not necessarily a bad thing, as I was very engaged and invested.

My issue with this book was the pacing. At the start there was a good amount of background and introductions to the characters. I found after this I was waiting and waiting to get some answers, then all of a sudden they all came at once! Hooray! Sadly the end of the book was very close and I felt I needed a little more closure.

I loved the flashbacks to 2007 and I would have liked to see more about that story in the present day.

In Nikki Smith's "They Had It Coming," readers encounter two couples whose ostensibly perfect lives start to disintegrate under the strain of concealed secrets and pent-up grievances.

The captivating Nate and spirited Layla, once at the heart of London's social scene, impulsively decide to trade their old lives for the sun-drenched beaches of Bali. Their closest friends, dependable Jude and vulnerable Sophie, eagerly trail after them, seeking a break that holds the promise of rejuvenation. However, what begins as a joyful reunion quickly unearths deeper conflicts and unresolved matters.

The characters are skillfully crafted and relatable, drawing readers into their chaotic world. The strained dynamic between Nate and Layla originates from their hasty choice to trade their settled lives in London for a fresh start in Bali. This bold move unearths latent problems within their relationship, including discontentment and unvoiced misgivings. Layla wrestles with her sense of self and the ramifications of their abrupt relocation, while Nate's magnetic yet unstable conduct fuels discord. Their bond is marred by a pervading sense of betrayal as they grapple with the web of lies woven over the years, culminating in a climactic moment that compels them to reassess their dedication to one another.

Jude and Sophie confront their own distinct challenges, predominantly rooted in jealousy and self-doubt. Jude's unwavering allegiance to Nate is shaken as he begins to unveil the truth behind Nate and Layla's past duplicity. Simultaneously, Sophie contends with feelings of insufficiency, especially when juxtaposing her life with the ostensibly dazzling lifestyle of Nate and Layla. The Bali reunion functions as a trigger for these suppressed emotions, bringing to the forefront unresolved antagonisms that endanger both couples' friendships.

Smith adroitly captures the essence of Bali, depicting it as a tropical sanctuary that starkly contrasts the emotional turbulence churning beneath the surface. The verdant scenery and lively nightlife provide an evocative setting for volatile revelations that are far from tranquil. The immersive ambiance augments the tension, ensuring each disclosed secret carries substantial weight.

Emotionally resonant themes of trust, loyalty, and retribution permeate the book, urging readers to contemplate their own relationships as they observe the ease with which deception can corrode the sturdiest of bonds. Smith's writing is absorbing and approachable, facilitating readers' connections with the characters' struggles without the impediment of overly intricate language.

While the novel thrives in character development and emotional depth, it occasionally relies on conventional tropes. Some plot twists may feel slightly recognizable to avid readers of psychological thrillers, so incorporating more unpredictability could have escalated the suspense and maintained readers' intrigue until the book's conclusion.

Another unputdownable thriller by Nikki Smith. The premise is promising - two couples, Bali, secrets, history & thoroughly untrustworthy protagonists! Who is telling the truth, and is it the whole truth? Your view of who the baddie is changes every couple of chapters and I will confess to a ‘OMG’ squeal at one point. The fact that the chapters are so short means you just want to keep reading to find out what happens next.

This is a fantastic thriller. Completely packed with twists and turns. You will be left doubting each and every character you won’t know who to believe.

Two couples are in Bali trying to repair damaged relationships. Lots of secrets between these four, others in Bali, and lots of backstabbing. Who is really the bad guy? What is ultimately going to happen to these four in Bali. Love the tropical theme and scenes. Love how the author developed these characters, but I did feel it was a little long. I was ready to be done by the end.

Nate and Layla move to Bali after her parents are killed in an accident. They use the money to build themselves a Villa. When old friends need a break, they invite them to come visit for a couple of months. Secrets come out as to why these couples are not the best of friends anymore. Are they out to get each other? One ends up in the hospital. One ends up hiding money issues. One hides losing a job. Another guy ends up dead, which is good news for other people and their secrets. Just what it all going on? Had some good endings for the characters, but I felt it was too long and got slow in the middle.