Unfortunately I didn’t love this one. It was ok. I saw some rave reviews. I think her books just may not be for me!

Among the many things I admire about this author is her ability to create captivating books that are almost impossible to put down once you start reading them. This one is no exception. It's like a combination of the TV reality show "Survivor" and Agatha Christie's classic novel "And Then There Were None." The plot revolves around five couples participating in a series of challenges, but unlike the TV show, there are actual dead bodies found in this thrilling novel. I enjoyed the unexpected twists and turns, and as usual, Ruth Ware has delivered another exceptional read.

I would like to express my gratitude to NetGalley and Gallery Books for providing me with an electronic copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The book has the most delicious set up — our brainy scientist main character agrees to go on a reality tv dating show on a deserted island because her boyfriend thinks it’ll launch his career. They have it all planned out how they are going to game the system, but a storm hits during the first week of filming and the new game is survival.

The whole remote island, big storm, nature/villain picking off people one by one is not exactly an originally concept but I was pleasantly surprised with how this book did it. I wasn’t really sure where things were going but enjoyed the ride nonetheless!

There are A LOT of characters, so I struggled keeping track as I read the first half of this on my flights, but I adored the audio — Imogen Church narrates and I just love when she brings to life Ruth Ware’s books! If you do opt for audio, just pay close attention to characters!

https://allaboutromance.com/book-review/one-perfect-couple-by-ruth-warePopular author Ruth Ware turns paradise into a new form of hell in her latest novel, One Perfect Couple.

Depending on who you ask, Lyla and Nico have been together for two-and-a-half years or three years. Nico counts their relationship as starting from their first hookup. Lyla doesn’t think that drunken groping was really the beginning since it was at a friend’s party, and they just got together for convenience’s sake. But when they met up again six months later, deliberately? They haven’t been apart since.

The differing opinions on how long they’ve been together reflect how Nico and Lyla view the world. Nico, an actor, has an emotional response to everything. Lyla, a scientist, is practical. Which is why she is in the process of carefully contemplating her future. She and Nico are at a crossroads in their relationship and Lyla, the elder by several years, is thinking it may just be time for them to part ways. She is ready to level up - to start thinking about family and forever. Not just with her love life but with her job, too, since it is looking like she isn’t going to be promoted and may need to change careers.

Then Nico is offered the opportunity to join the cast of One Perfect Couple, a reality TV show featuring authentic partners who must prove on camera why they are perfect for each other. Lyla doesn’t want to participate, but she also has nothing holding her back. And Nico is making all kinds of promises as to why this will be great for them both. She agrees to do two weeks on the show, confident she will quickly be kicked off the tropical paradise where it is being filmed, because audiences don’t want a pedantic nerd. They want someone like Nico - volatile, gorgeous, and emotive. The audition process is sketchy, but neither Nico nor his agent blink an eye at that, and before she knows it and despite her trepidation, Lyla is boating through the Indian Ocean towards Ever After Island.

Once on board, they meet the four couples they will be competing against - Bayer and Angel, Dan and Santana, Joel and Romi, and Conor and Zana - to win a cash prize. While everyone else seems media savvy, Joel and Lyla find themselves bonding over their odd-man-out status. Joel is a lecturer at St. Clements and, like her, is the more boring/normative half of the couple. They have a good laugh over it. Lyla continues to make the rounds, talking to the other contestants and the staff of the show as they prepare for landing. This is how she overhears talk of a dangerous storm potentially encompassing the island. The production crew dismisses any concerns, but she disembarks uneasily.

She is right to be worried. The first challenge proves a disaster for Lyla and Nico. She gets a near-perfect score listing his dreams, favorite foods, and most embarrassing secret, but after living together for so long, he still gets her go-to takeout order wrong, doesn’t know what her dream date would be, nor really much of anything about her. A furious Nico is escorted off the island, while Lyla is left to bask in humiliation. But this will not be the worst thing to happen that evening. The production company departs, taking the boat back to the mainland to deposit Nico and pick up supplies. And then the storm hits, leaving massive destruction in its wake. The contestants quickly find themselves struggling for survival, cut off from any form of communication with the outside world, and running low on food and water. It doesn’t take long for them to realize that starvation isn’t the only thing they have to fear. One couple is still playing the game, albeit under a very different set of rules. And they are determined to be the last pair standing.

This is less a mystery and more an action/adventure/thriller. That a villain is on the island is clear from the outset. Who it is is obvious by the midpoint. The only real question to be answered is if both members of the couple are complicit or if it is just the conspicuous half of the pair, with the other being forced to cooperate. There is a surprising twist at the end regarding why it is all happening, but it doesn’t play into how the plot unfolds until the final chapters.

Readers who love strong female protagonists will adore this story. All of the ladies are resilient, brave, and fiercely intelligent. I appreciated that each and every one of them - even Santana who is by far the most fragile - is grimly determined to survive themselves and help the others to do so. They are very much about doing what needs to be done, even when that is less than palatable.

Lyla is surprising in her ability to adapt. A kind of everywoman with few practical survival skills and only minimal fitness, her struggle to acclimate to the new conditions is very relatable and the author makes her growth believable without ever sacrificing the essence of who Lyla is. It’s easy to believe that the kick-ass version we see emerge as the novel progresses was inside our heroine all along.

There are plot points I found questionable, but the author's easy-to-read writing style and brisk pacing kept me invested in what was happening. There are deaths here, but the gore and violence are kept to a minimum.

Ware’s obsession with failing machinery actually fits this particular scenario perfectly because it would be natural for an isolated location to have difficulties with technology after a massive, damaging storm. It also gives the characters - especially the women - the opportunity to show their unique skills since they have to be quite creative as they seek to find a way to communicate with the outside world.

One Perfect Couple isn’t a perfect book but it is pretty darn entertaining. I would recommend it to fans of the author, those who love the Reality TV scenario, and anyone in the mood for a heroine-centric adventure story.

I received a free eARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I think I said this about Zero Days too - I appreciate Ruth Ware’s willingness to play with form. Yes, she’s a mystery writer, and yes, she’s frequently compared to Agatha Christie, but she hasn’t boxed herself in. Zero Days didn’t really work for me, but I liked that she tried something different - a techno thriller, rather than yet another locked room deal.

And this new book…isn’t really a mystery? It’s more of a survival story. I suppose there’s an element of And Then There Were None, but it’s not really a mystery who’s picking people off. And there’s not really a reason for it either, beyond the killer just wanting all of the resources for themselves. I kept waiting for some kind of twist, but it’s all pretty straightforward.

Lyla is a doctoral student who has just completed a disappointing research cycle. Her latest set of experiments didn’t return any usable data, so it’s unlikely that she’ll be offered another contract for the next academic year. Her boyfriend Nico is an aspiring actor who’s always *just* about to get his big break (so he says). They’re kind of a weird match - I guess the appeal is that he’s so outgoing and busy that he doesn’t mind Lyla working long hours and not being around much? Basically seems like a relationship of convenience that has run its course, but they’re still together because it’s a pain to split up. Anyway, without asking first, Nico signs them up to compete on a reality show called One Perfect Couple. It’s basically Survivor meets…one of those Bachelor-verse spin offs. Love Island, maybe? Five couples will be put on a remote island in the Indian Ocean and they’ll compete in weekly challenges. Every week, ONE person gets kicked off, and the person with the highest score gets to decide who to share the fantasy suite with. So basically your other half could get the boot, and you could decide to re-couple with someone new. Maximum drama. Lyla agrees because she could use the break, and her plan is to just get kicked off early on so Nico can win the whole thing and get famous or whatever.

Of course this is a terrible plan, and things start going wrong pretty much immediately. It’s clear that the whole thing is being done on a shoestring budget (they’re allegedly staying at a resort, but it’s clearly not all the way finished yet). And some of the comments from the producers and the crew make it seem like the show maybe hasn’t even been picked up by a network yet. So all of this could be for nothing. After a rough first challenge reveals the game’s cruel twist (the whole partner-swapping aspect), there’s a huge storm that destroys much of the island and leaves the remaining contestants completely cut off. Because of course in typical reality show fashion, they’ve surrendered all of their devices. And the yacht carrying the entire crew is somewhere offshore, possibly damaged in the storm. There’s no power, few resources, and maybe a murderer.

Without giving away too much, it's not *really* a mystery in the traditional sense - not a whodunnit, and not really a whydunnit either. It's a thriller, a survival story...kind of a horror story depending on how you feel about camping!

This is an isolation thriller from one of the best there is. Five couples participating in a game shoe are trapped together on an island when a storm comes in. They are cut off from everyone without phones but that is the least of their worries.

Without power, their food and water supply dwindles quickly, the radio has a very limited battery supply, people are sick and injured, and one of them may be a murderer.

Why I Love This Book: This is a page-turning thriller with unexpected twists and turns I did not see coming. This is a perfect beach read- it will keep you on your toes.

Another outstanding Ruth Ware novel!! The suspense and thrill were fantastic throughout the whole novel. Ruth’s writing is fantastic and she truly brings her characters to life. Another must read!

A solid Ruth Ware. If you are into reality tv such with a mysterious twist this could be your summer book. Ware follows a very likeable protagonist, Lyla and her celebrity hungry boyfriend, Nico as they find themselves on a boat with several other couples heading to an island with some vague rules about the reality tv show they are on. The interest in the book peaked and waned for me but overall, some good twists and a bingeable summer thriller.


Thank you NetGalley and Scout Press for the ARC!

“five couples trapped on a storm-swept island as a killer stalks among them.”

Personal review: 🌟🌟🌟🌟

Ruth Ware is an auto buy author for me, so I was stoked when I received the galley for this novel! Give me all the island books to kick off summer! This one was such a neat concept of a thriller and I didn’t guess the ending at all, which is a rare plus. This book followed the taping of a low budget reality romance show on a remote island in the middle of the Indian Ocean - One Perfect Couple. If you are a fan of Survivor, Love Island, reality television, and cat and mouse mystery novels, this one is for you! Thank you @netgalley and @galleryscoutpress for the advanced review in exchange for my honest opinion.

Synopsis: Lyla is in a bit of a rut. Her post-doctoral research has fizzled out, she’s pretty sure they won’t extend her contract, and things with her boyfriend, Nico, an aspiring actor, aren’t going great. When the opportunity arises for Nico to join the cast of a new reality TV show, One Perfect Couple, she decides to try out with him. A whirlwind audition process later, Lyla find herself whisked off to a tropical paradise with Nico, boating through the Indian Ocean towards Ever After Island, where the two of them will compete against four other couples—Bayer and Angel, Dan and Santana, Joel and Romi, and Conor and Zana—in order to win a cash prize.

But not long after they arrive on the deserted island, things start to go wrong. After the first challenge leaves everyone rattled and angry, an overnight storm takes matters from bad to worse. Cut off from the mainland by miles of ocean, deprived of their phones, and unable to contact the crew that brought them there, the group must band together for survival. As tensions run high and fresh water runs low, Lyla finds that this game show is all too real—and the stakes are life or death.

The PERFECT beach read! Love Island meets Survivor/Lord of the Flies. I breezed through this book in one day because I just could not put it down. Will be recommending to all my thriller loving friends this summer.

Another masterpiece! This is Ruth Ware at her best, leaving you guessing until the very end. A private island and a massive storm forces couples to fight for survival together and fight among themselves. What could go wrong? So much.

Survivor TV meets a novel. I enjoyed this book I like that this thriller took a different spin; you knew who the "problem" was, but you were left wondering how they would stop "the problem." Looking back, there were a lot of red flags that they should have considered before signing on to their contract.

Ruth Ware’s “One Perfect Couple” captivates with its high-stakes premise: five couples trapped on a remote island during a reality TV show that spirals into a deadly game of survival. The narrative swiftly transports readers to this isolated setting where danger lurks around every corner, providing a fertile ground for tension and intrigue.
The author expertly crafts the scenery, enveloping the reader in the storm-swept landscapes that heighten the novel's sense of urgency. However, while the setting and concept initially promise a complex labyrinth of challenges and mystery, the book leans heavily into the survival aspect with less focus on the show's mechanics. Additional challenges and deeper engagement in the game show’s structure could have enriched the narrative, making the reader as invested in the show's outcome as the characters are.
Moreover, for fans of classic whodunits, the thriller may reveal its cards too soon. The potential for a twisting, “And Then There Were None” style reveal is somewhat underutilized, as the antagonist's identity becomes apparent early on, diminishing the suspense that could have been derived from a more mysterious and evolving plot.
Nonetheless, "One Perfect Couple" offers a compelling read with robust characterizations and vivid descriptions that showcase Ruth Ware’s strength in setting the stage for psychological suspense. While it may leave some readers wishing for more twists and a greater exploration of its intriguing premise, it remains an engaging journey into the darker sides of human nature when faced with real fear.
This novel proves once again that Ruth Ware knows how to hold our attention, even if this outing leaves us dreaming of what could have been in the shadows of an almost perfect plot.

After mulling over Ruth Ware's latest psychological thriller, "One Perfect Couple," for a day, I've come to appreciate its gripping narrative. As someone who's devoured countless thrillers over the years, I'm thrilled to discover a fresh, intriguing concept within these pages. While I enjoyed Ware's "Zero Days," "One Perfect Couple" truly captured my imagination.

The story centers on Lyla, whose life and relationship with Nico, an aspiring actor, are at a standstill. When Nico proposes they join a reality show called One Perfect Couple, promising fame and fortune, Lyla reluctantly agrees. What follows is a whirlwind journey to a tropical resort where the facade of paradise quickly crumbles.

Lyla, a rational scientist, is wary of the show's unknowns, but her reservations are swept aside as they're whisked off to Ever After Island. Amidst the azure waters and luxurious villas, Lyla senses hidden tensions and secrets among the contestants. When a hurricane strikes, turning their idyllic retreat into a nightmare, Lyla must navigate treacherous waters both literal and metaphorical.

"One Perfect Couple" skillfully blends elements of classic thrillers like Agatha Christie's "Ten Little Indians" with the societal commentary of Orwell's "Animal Farm." As the castaways grapple with survival, Ware exposes the dark underbelly of reality television, blurring the lines between staged drama and genuine danger.

Through Lyla's eyes, readers experience the mounting paranoia and desperation as alliances shift and betrayals unfold. Each twist and turn of the plot propels us deeper into the chaos, mirroring the unpredictability of reality TV.

Ware's storytelling is masterful, keeping readers on the edge of their seats from start to finish. "One Perfect Couple" is a rollercoaster of suspense, urging readers to buckle up for a thrilling ride they won't soon forget.

Thank you to Netgalley for this arc all opinions are my own.

One Perfect Couple by Ruth Ware is a thriller about five couples that are stuck on an island. They thought they were there for a reality TV show; but when a storm came through and destroyed everything, they ended up isolated from everyone. To top it off, people started dying too. What is going on? Is the murderer one of the contestants? Who can they trust? This was a quick read, and I enjoyed it. Ruth Ware books can be hit or miss for me, but this was definitely one of her better books in my opinion. Thanks to NetGalley for the free digital review copy. All opinions are my own.

I’m a reality TV lover so I especially enjoyed the concept of this book. Four couples are selected to stay on a remote island to compete in challenges to win a prize. The details are kinda fishy, and it’s almost certainly not picked up by any network yet but that doesn’t stop aspiring actor Nico from signing up with his girlfriend Lyla.

Lyla wants nothing to do with this show but she agrees to go along to support Nico. And because a vacation in February sounds lovely. There’s a terrible storm that first night on the island. It leaves behind a lot of damage and injuries. Those who are on the island need to find a way to survive until help comes.

4.5 stars — One Perfect Couple kept me entertained through out. Nothing was too crazy, there wasn’t a ridiculous reveal and the ending was satisfying. I liked the radio transcripts and diary entries between the chapters. (The diary was the one part where I couldn’t figure out what was going on).

Spoiler below!!!
I loved how the survivors were all women and that they worked together to overpower an abusive person.

The story follows Lyla, a scientist, who is dating a guy named Nico who is an aspiring actor. They end up on a couples reality show on a remote island resort that quickly turns from finding that “One Perfect Couple” to Survivor. It wasn’t terribly twisty but the drama kept you reading. I wasn’t able to put the book down once I started. Ruth Ware is quickly becoming an auto-read author for me. I absolutely loved this book.

Very fun book with surprising twists and a lovely ending. While very fun and entertaining there was a slight twinge that something was missing. I was waiting for a bit more, and while everything resolved its self, there is still a bit of me that thinks that something was missing.

I do recommend it.

One Perfect Couple brings together five couples to an island for a reality tv show. Some expected and many unexpected things happen while there. Who could predict how it would all play out? One Perfect Couple is a captivating and thrilling read.

One Perfect Couple is a classic Ruth Ware story, the kind that grows out of a natural human fear, like one of the scenarios that wakes you up in the middle of the night, and then you can’t get back to sleep. Lyla, a virologist, is arm-twisted by her actor boyfriend to join the cast of a new reality show on Ever After Island. The contestants have barely unpacked their gear before one of them is killed.
Block off some time, because once you start this book, you can’t put it down.
The cast of characters competing to be the “one perfect couple” and maybe the one surviving couple, are each unique and clearly recognized by voice and actions. All are flawed and none is particularly loveable, but each one plays a significant role in the plot.
This book is very timely, with the popularity of reality TV. Be sure to read this one, but keep the lights on.