I didn't realize this was a sequel but luckily it worked as a stand alone for me. This is a juicy, drama-filled family thriller that's perfect for fans of Billions and Succession. Is there anything better to read during the summer than stories about rich people behaving badly? I'm going back to read the first book now!

Thanks to Thomas & Mercer for the copy to review.

Thanks to Netgalley, Thomas & Mercer and Kaira Rouda for the chance to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Under the Palms was a fun, drama-filled thriller full of suspense and surprising twists and turns. I was hooked from the first chapter, I just couldn't put it down.

I really enjoyed the first book, Beneath the Surface, so it was great to read about the chaotic and charismatic Kingsley family again.
It didn't quite feel finished to me though, so I'm hoping we'll see more of the Kingsley family soon.

4 stars from me. ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

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.

Under The Palms by Kaira Rouda the second in the Kinglsey's Series.

After the yacht trip that destroys the family in book one "Beneath the Surface". Book two continues the story of the Kingsley Family with more mystery and thrills to keep the intrigue alive.

The plot of this book begins with Paige, the daughter in law of the Patriarch of the Family Richard Kingsley. Richard has appointed Paige to take over the direction of the family business "Kingsley Global Enterprises". Paige arranges a family two-day retreat (for the executive board) at the luxurious Palms Hotel in Laguna Beach California.

Paige is aware that her new appointment as President of the company has upset both brothers and only sons of Richard, Ted being Paige's Ex Husband is furious and John longs to make claim on his rightful inheritance and the brothers plan Paige's resignation as President.

Paige is aware of their scheming and plans, through her assistant Justin. But is Justin only her assistant or is there more to their relationship? Paige invites Sibley the renegade of the family and sister to Ted and John as well as Richard's ex-wife Serena to the weekend retreat. Both Brothers are blinded by their own revenge that they don't even know that these three women have formed an alliance against them. They discover the family secrets that will change the future of everyone involved.

Is this retreat going to be a success or will it end in disaster, just like the last family retreat on board the Splendid Seas yacht?

Before they are aware of each other's fate, California brings harsh Santa Ana winds and a wild firestorm that threatens not only the fate of each of the family members and the future of the "Kingsley Global Enterprises" as they now know it, but a future they all were not expecting.

Who will survive this family retreat? Will everyone's future plans end the way they wish and intend?

WOW! what an intriguing, non stop, fast paced roller coaster ride! A story of a dysfunctional family. Full of secrets, murder, manipulation, deceitful twists and turns. A watch your back, suspenseful thriller. Each character trying to outsmart the other, leaving you surprised and content at the end. Kaira Rouda has written such a great book that has the reader's full attention. Each chapter has a unique heading, that is, the character name is the title of each chapter and is skillfully written in the first person as in each character is telling the story.

I rate this book 5 stars out of 5, I loved the format of how the story was written. They story can be both read as part of the series and also as a stand alone book. I thank both the publisher Thomas and Mercer and Net Galley for this copy of an exciting read. Well worth the trips on the seas and in a luxury hotel all in the comfort of your reading space.

This was the perfect summer vacation read! I highly recommend to all. The cover is also beautiful which is always a bonus!

This is the second book in the Kingsley series. This book was unpredictable, this book was over the top and I loved it. Unfortunately I havent read the first one so I will be making sure I do, as I feel it would make it easier to know about the characters.

The Kingsley family is back!

Under the Palms is the second book with The Kingsleys series. While Under the Palms can be read as a standalone, I recommend starting with the first book in the series, Beneath the Surface.

This book is told using multiple points of view with short chapters. Devious characters in a fast-paced and wild story.

Under the Palms is a fun read with twists and turns. The pages are filled with secrets, scandals, and betrayals.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Under the Palms is book two of The Kingsleys series and these should be read in order. I am unsure if this will be a complete duology or if Kaira will revisit The Kingsleys in a spin-off sort of way (I hope so!).

Since Paige was anointed President of Kinglsey Enterprises, things have changed and not everyone agrees that it’s for the better. She plans a retreat to a post OC resort in hopes to get all parties on the same page, however Richard’s sons have not given up the fight of claiming what they view to be rightfully theirs.

As the Santa Ana winds arrive and the threat of wildfire is on the horizon, the family plays a dangerous game of power with one another and not everyone will make it to see the end of the weekend.

It’s hard to divulge too much of the plot of this book, as it is a direct sequel to Beneath the Surface and I don’t want to give anything away. The family and everyone involved with them is toxic, power hungry, and greedy as all get out and will stop at nothing or anyone to get what they want…and I. Am. Here. For. It.

Everyone is a jerk and yet I couldn’t stop finding people to root for. Some I was rooting for their demise, of course, but others I legitimately felt should have some sort of success in their endeavors.

I loved the setting and bringing the Santa Anas into the mix, it adds a whole extra level of impending doom and atmosphere to an already tense book.

While this is definitely one of those quick and fast fun summer thrillers, it’s also a nice solid story of toxic family and corruption that would fit well at any time of the year.

Whoa! What an ending! I did not see that coming! In Beneath the Surface I was really on team Paige but in this book I feel like she is falling in with the Kingsleys and not in a good way. Ted & John were total jerks as per usual. I was happy to see Serena and Sibley back in the story. This sequel was great. It had the same great mystery & pace from the first book. It kept me engaged the entire time.

Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for a copy of this book.

I was not aware that this was the second book in a series. I started reading and had to do a little google search. I did enjoy what I did read. But nice I realized it was part of a series I stopped. I do plan on reading the first book and coming back to this one. It seemed so interesting from what I did gather so I’m looking forward to reading the first book. 📚

Title: Under the Palms
Author: Kaira Rouda
Publisher: Thomas & Mercer
Pub date: 5/21/24

This is part two of the Kingsley series but, can be read standalone. However, you won’t want to miss any of the drama so read Beneath the Surface too.

The Kingsley’s are one of those powerful corporate families. Lots of secrets, alliances and bad deeds! With the crazy way they talk to each other and act towards one another, it’s a miracle any of them survive. There are plenty of suspects in this whodunnit. Coming by suspects is easy, figuring out who is guilty, well that’s not as easy with this family.

To me this is a fast paced story that will have you turning pages as quickly as you can just to see what outlandish behavior the Kingsleys have in store.

Thank you #NetGalley and #Thomas&Mercer for the opportunity to get swept away by a family that could be their own twisted version of survival of the fittest.

For a second book in a series this one is awesome! Hoping for a third! This one is an absolute page turner! Honestly, I don't know who to feel sorry for in this story full of characters that have their own agenda and will stop at nothing to get what they want! And the twist at the end? I should have seen it coming but did not! Wonderful writing! A must summer read!

I didn't realize this was the 2nd book in the series until after I got about 1/2 through it...so I just decided to finish it. It can be read as a standalone but I am greedy and I want all the backstory, so if you are like me, read Book 1 first! That being said, MAN THESE PEOPLE ALL SUCK in their own special ways! This is a family and I use that term loosely, of piranhas! The fact that comes across so strongly is a credit to the author!

This was my 1st book by Kaira Rouda but will not be my last! I won a physical copy of this book via the Killer Author's Club, thank you!

#UnderthePalms
#NetGalley

Wild sequel to Beneath the Surface. Although this book gives enough background as to what happened in the first of the series, I highly recommend reading that one first so you can get to know all of these (terrible) people and what went down on the yacht last year.

After handing over the reins of the Kingsley business to his daughter-in-law Paige, CEO Richard is having second thoughts. Paige has gathered the family and board members, as well as a few surprise guests, to an exclusive executive retreat at a Laguna resort. What happens next is a wild ride of rich people behaving poorly, culminating in a death and a fight for control.

If you're looking for a fun popcorn thriller, you've come to the right place. This book is like a soap opera and the characters are so awful you just can't tear your eyes away. Not believable in the slightest and there's no cerebral depth here. Manipulation, backstabbing, bribery, revenge...it's all on the agenda and readers are here for it.

I pushed my way through this book because I am not a fan of all those POV. You cannot connect to a character with so little time dedicated to them.

It was good if you enjoy books with a lot of POV. It was well written and interesting but I need that connection to a character to truly love a book.

This is a personal preference for me and has no reflection on the book itself.

The ending was good!

The family fans of author Kaira Rouda love to hate is back - and the Kingsleys haven't calmed down at all. They don't get along any better than they used to, either. Paige, the new president of the family company, has arranged a work retreat with the other members of her family. Richard, the patriarch and the person who put Paige in charge, will be there too. He's been less than thrilled with Paige's reign & plans to remove her as the leader. Richard's sons, John and Ted, are aware of this and plan to be there. Each assumes he will be named over his brother as the next in charge.

This time, at least no ships are involved. But they're at a gorgeous resort in Laguna Beach during fire season, when the Santa Ana winds make it almost unbearable to be outside. As long as there's plenty of space (and alcohol) inside the hotel, nothing can go wrong. Right?

All of Kaira Rouda's thrillers are a ton of fun, and strangely this made me want to experience the Santa Ana winds (okay, maybe for like 5 seconds) myself, just to see if they're as described. (I'm a strictly midwestern girl so I know about tornadoes but have no experience with earthquakes or hurricanes or Santa Ana winds).

Fast paced, short chapters, California setting, family drama, rich people behaving badly and a cast of characters you love to hate...this book had it all!

When you read a book by Kaira Rouda, you know you're going to get some shady characters. These ones were all devious and scheming and it was interesting reading about how they all tried to play each other and get away with their secrets and lies. I found this to be a very quick and entertaining read.

It is the second book in a short series, but I didn't know this going in. I actually hadn't read the first book, Beneath the Surfacd, but it didn't take away any enjoyment for me. I was still able to follow along and didn't feel lost at all. The first book definitely would have given more background into the characters but I think it could be read as a stand alone for sure.

This was a great suspense/thriller and if you're a fan of the author, you'll probably enjoy this!

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!

"Under the Palms" by Kaira Rouda is a riveting exploration of family dynamics set against the backdrop of a luxurious Laguna Beach resort. Rouda masterfully weaves a tale of power, betrayal, and secrets within the affluent Kingsley family. The novel's strength lies in its complex characters, each driven by their ambitions and haunted by their pasts. Paige, the new president, emerges as a formidable force, navigating the treacherous waters of family politics with cunning and resilience. Rouda's writing captures the opulence of the setting and the underlying tension, making for a gripping read. The narrative's twists and turns keep the reader engaged, culminating in a suspenseful and satisfying conclusion. "Under the Palms" is a compelling family saga that highlights the lengths to which individuals will go to protect their legacy and secure their place in the hierarchy.

The Kingsley’s are back with even more drama than book #1. And I have to say I was laughing out loud in many spots of the book. The way Kaira tells the story is just very unique and I love all books she writes. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this early release. In stores NOW!