Lyla ends up following her boyfriend, Nico, to an audition for a reality show. This is not something she wants to do at all but Nico needs this. The next thing she knows, she is in the middle of an island in the Indian Ocean with no cell phone and no way off.

Well, Lyla has gotten herself in a mess. She has the good intention of getting kicked off this island first. But it turns out, Nico is the first to go. Then it all goes downhill from there and you will need to read this to find out!

When I first started reading this book, I was not a fan. The reality show premise was just not doing it for me, especially the section where they all meet. Lots of characters and not a lot substance. But, as the tale moved along, it got better and better. It is a bit far fetched but the intensity just keeps building.

Need a good thriller with an ending with a punch…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

This was the perfect thriller beach read, and as it's almost summer that means this book was the perfect one for me to pick up.
So let's start with what I love. I loved the setting, and the fact that it takes place on a reality tv show. I feel like the TV show aspect really amps up the suspense for the book, because immediately from the start you can tell something just does not feel right with it. It made me feel like I was watching the show Survivor, which is one of my guilty pleasures. I love a locked room thriller, and the fact that they are stuck on the island made the suspense ramp up and gave me even more anxiety.

Now for the parts I didn't love so much. Lyla and Nicos relationship felt weird to me. It didn't feel like this is a pair that would ever be together in real life, so that did take me some time to get on board with. Also I kept waiting for there to be the classic thriller twist, especially at the end, and needless to say I am still waiting for it, since there never was one. The ending was predictable and not at all surprising, though with that said I still enjoy the lead up to get to the end.

I was starting to lose my faith in this author because I had not liked her last few releases but this give me a renewed faith in her writing. Overall I would recommend this book.

A unique take on suspense! This was the first book I've read by Ruth Ware, definitely not the last because I thoroughly enjoyed it. The contestants of a reality tv show stranded on a deserted island with meager food and supplies, some in need of medical help and one possibly a killer. I mean...who could ask for a better plot? I don't want to give any spoilers but there is plenty happening to keep you reading this good adventure. My thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Another amazing book from Ruth Ware. The suspense was great and the characters were interesting. I love that all of her books are wildly different.

Oh, what a bizarre narrative. While thoroughly having enjoyed "The Woman in Cabin 10", a paperback of which is used as fire starter in this novel (is there a deeper meaning here), Ruth Ware's books after have not lived up to that standard in my opinion. The premise of "One Perfect Couple" is interesting based on the current popular culture interest in reality shows which might lead people to select this as their beach read. The murder is quickly obvious, as is the rationale for the person behind the show they are on the island to film. Every character felt like too much like a caricature of what the general opinion is of people who do their occupations. As a reader, it was hard to connect to anyone who would feel the need to become famous by going on such a bizarre reality show. Based on the strength of some of her past novels and the subject matter, this may find a large audience. As most people know, there is no such thing as "One Perfect Couple" or one perfect book for everyone.

Thank you to Scout Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read the arc in return for an honest review.

What a summer read! Several couples competing on a reality show on a island to vie for the one perfect couple. When a storm approaches, dead bodies start piling up.

Ruth Ware's latest is thrilling, and kept me reading. I loved the island survival setting and the strong women characters. It was gripping from start to finish. Definitely recommended for those who love suspense books, survival stories, or reality TV.

Review will be posted on 6/13/24

Lyla, a scientist, and Nico, an aspiring actor, have been dating for two years, but have hit a wall as their relationship doesn't seem to be going anywhere. Nico has an opportunity to go on a new reality show, One Perfect Couple, and convinces Lyla to join him as it would really bolster his career. She reluctantly takes time off work to join him and once they get to the remote Indonesian island, she thinks this might be a good vacation. There are romantic huts, beautiful water, palm trees, and lots of booze. Except behind the beautiful facade, there are some concerns. The director seems off, not to mention, most of the crew leaves every night and returns in the morning. One night a really bad storm hits the island and there's a lot of damage to the rooms and one of the palm trees falls on a hut and kills someone. To make matters worse, the boat with the director and supplies never returns. Did they go missing during the storm? Now the couples are stranded on this island with minimal communication (the director took their phones!), and have limited water and food. Cue the panic! What seemed like The Bachelor has turned into Survivor, especially as people start to turn on each other. One Perfect Couple by Ruth Ware is a suspenseful novel, perfect for readers who like some thrilling moments in their beach reads.

Lyla and Nico's relationship really didn't make sense to me in One Perfect Couple. She is this smart scientist and he is struggling, not to mention a jerk at times. I was surprised Lyla even went on this show as she doesn't seem to be the type, but I get the plot needed to move forward. Despite this, I thought the rest of One Perfect Couple was horrifyingly believable. It quickly turned into Survivor and had some Lord of the Flies vibes. Also, there is some violence in this beach read, so be forewarned. Ware creates such anxiety about being stuck on this island that it kept me flipping the pages. It was a true locked room moment (in this case a remote island), it really added to the suspense. I was rooting for a few of the women to take over and take down some of the questionable men on the island. This was my first Ruth Ware novel and it definitely won't be the last.

Ruth ware books are always great and this one is no different. I really liked the setting and I thought she revealed the different twists very well. I wanted to keep reading.

Lyla is a doctoral student that is tiring of her one year contracts and lack luster scientific research. She has been dating Nico, an aspiring actor for about two years when he is offered a part in a pilot for a couples reality show on a deserted island. With misgivings, Lyla agrees to go, and her nightmare begins. From the start you suspect something is not right with the show idea - the budget seems too low, corners are cut, rules are increasing, and the all the contestants must turn in all electronic devices before getting on the island. When a tropical storms takes out the power, the water desalinator, and most of the housing, things take a turn for the worse. The film crew, one contestant, and producer are gone - and bodies start accumulating. Will any of the remaining contestants make it home alive? I read and finished this to find out the point - which was not quite as riveting and twisty as I had hoped - an entertaining beach bag read. Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced reader copy.

After being unsure about the past few novels by Ware, this one was exactly what I needed. I loved the beach reality show setting. Ruth Ware’s One Perfect Couple is a masterful blend of psychological thriller and drama, showcasing her talent for creating suspenseful and intricately plotted narratives. Overall, One Perfect Couple is a gripping and thought-provoking novel that cements Ruth Ware’s reputation as a master of psychological suspense. It’s a must-read for fans of the genre, offering a thrilling and nuanced look at a reality tv show gone wrong.

Ever since I read One by One, I've been a huge Ruth Ware fan and usually love every book she puts out. Unfortunately, this book was just okay for me and didn't thrill me like I thought it would. The first half was fantastic and I loved the dynamics between the cast of characters. And what could be better than a remote island when the stakes are high? By the time I reached the second half of the book, I was waiting for there to be a big twist and nothing really happened other than the reveal about the diary entries. Even though I'm disappointed, I'm still looking forward to whatever Ruth Ware writes next!

Thank you Scout Press and Ruth Ware for my gifted copy!

Ruth Ware is back!? After the last two releases, it was decidedly her flop era for me. And now, finally, I feel like we have the caliber of story we all love and know she is capable of. This was a fun, fast read and I was so invested the entire time! The tropical setting, the reality show premise, the cast of characters, the fast-paced plot. I loved the mixed media parts that are interspersed between each chapter, and the way that those evolve, it gave the story so much more depth and intrigue and added to the complexity to the plot. It all really worked for me. If you love a good survival thriller, this is the book for you. It was exciting, suspenseful, and will keep you turning the pages. Plus, it’s a timely release because this is the perfect summer, vacation, beach or pool read! Definitely recommend!

Nico convinces girlfriend, Lyla to go on a couples reality show on a remote island to further his acting career. When a storm arrives things go from bad to worse. Now it's a game of survival.

I have read many Ware books that I have loved. I loved this one too but it did feel different. It was interesting to see how the characters react to being in this situation. As you would expect some did great, some did not. I liked that you did not know from the start who would be the villain of the show or the one in "reality". I didn't feel there were any real surprises as I've come to expect from a Ware book, but I enjoyed the ride all the same.

Thanks to netgalley and Gallery Books for the arc.

I’m a big fan of Ms. Ware’s books. This one was another good one. It started out a little slow, but quickly gained momentum and hooked me. I found the premise interesting, with the tv show storyline. It reminded me of “And then there were none”, but most of her books have an Agatha Christie feel to them, and I love it!
If you like mysteries, and a good whodunit book, this is the book for you!
It was well plotted and written. Highly recommend.

I love this author, one of my go to authors. I wasn't too sure when I introduced to the characters and the main girl and her boyfriend were such opposites, her being a scientist. Her personality wasn't as I was expecting, in a good way. I like thrillers, mysteries, books with twists. I had a hunch about the twist and what connected everyone, but wasn't 100% sold on my hunch, which was great, kept me guessing. I'm not sure this is my favorite of her books, but still a good read.

What does a scientist do when her actor boyfriend wants to go on a reality show to up his career? She says yes and the chaos of One Perfect Couple begins. Headed to an island to have their relationship put in front of the cameras, Lyla and Nico are fleeing their career ruts. Nico is in his element but Lyla is not making her a little more observant to the darker underside of what this reality show is all about. As they get to know the other couples and start participating in the challenges soon their bond starts quaking and the island starts becoming sinister. I enjoyed the mix of the Agatha Christie vibes with the reality tv sphere. The plot dragged on and I found myself losing interest but I was glad I finished.

Thank you NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

Four couples agree to participate in a Survivor/Love Island reality TV show in this (loose) And Then There Were None retelling before a storm hits the island unexpectedly and what used to be a fun, low-stakes competition quickly becomes a fight against the elements, lack of resources, and each other for survival.

Overall, I really enjoyed reading this newest release from Ware. I always enjoy listening to Imogen Church’s narration, so if you’re into audiobooks I’d highly recommend experiencing the story in that way.

I thought the tension and frustration felt throughout really drove the narrative. At first, I was concerned I wouldn’t connect to any of the characters, but by about the halfway point I had found myself rooting for three of them to make it off the island.

Though there was no real “twist” (you know who the antagonist is at about the 30% mark), the suspense and survival premise bumped this up to a Top 3 Ruth Ware book for me. Turn of the Key and One by One still come out ahead for me personally, but One Perfect Couple makes me excited for Ware’s future releases!

Short synopsis: Lyla and her boyfriend Nico join a new reality show called “One Perfect Couple” on a remote island.

My thoughts: Ruth is one of my go-to authors for a thrilling read. While there aren’t necessarily any big “twists” there is definitely tons moments keeping you on the edge of your seat. There were moments where I gasped out loud!

This reminded me a lot of Survivor, and I really liked the inside look at the social aspects of how people reacted when they were starving for food, or desperate for water. That’s when real feeling and humanity (or lack of humanity) shows.

Read if you love:
- Reality TV
- Remote island locations
- Locked “room” setting
- Survival instincts

I was so excited for a new book from one of my favorite authors. He book started off strong. The premise was interesting and I wasn’t sure where the story would go. Somewhere in the middle, I lost interest. I didn’t feel like I cared about the charactes and what happened. I am not sure if it is because I wasn’t able to commit long stretches to reading the book or if the characters weren’t worthy of interest. The ending was not a huge surprise. I will still enthusiastically look for Ruth Ware books but this was not a favorite