This felt a lot like One by One. The slowly picking off people to die one by one. I feel like a lot of thrillers have used this trope lately so it didn’t feel too original.

I liked the island setting for this one. There were parts that I was so stressed out. And I also didn’t know who would be next to die. Like Love Island gone wrong! This book is good for those who like reality tv.

The ending felt rushed. I didn’t feel like I connected with any of the characters enough to be rooting for them. Lyla was kind of a wet blanket and could have been a little more likeable.

One Perfect Couple is Ruth Ware's best novel yet! Lyla and Nico have been selected to join the cast of a new reality show set on a gorgeous remote island. Yet, from the instant they set sail, Lyla gets the sense that something is off. When people start having mysterious accidents, she will need to figure out who to trust before she succumbs to the killer in their midst. With an interesting protagonist and a great cast of characters, One Perfect Couple keeps you captivated.

I opened this book thinking I would absolutely love it. I had high hopes for it! I will say, I did enjoy it. I found it a little confusing trying to keep all the characters straight and who is with who. I felt there were too many people. Throughout the book I was mad and confused about the journal entries but was so relieved at the end when it all came together. The ending was so good and pulled the book all together!

When I first started reading this book I had ideas of what I thought it was about. It was the story of five couples who are participating on a reality show on a luxurious deserted island. On the first night, all of the staff and one of the contestants left on a boat headed back to the mainland, leaving the nine contestants to fend for themselves. The staff was supposed to return the following day, but they didn't. And they didn't come back the day after that or the day after that. The nine contestants were shipwrecked on the island. The couples where Lyla and Nico, Santana and Dan, Zana and Conor, Romy and Joel and Angel and Bayer. Lyla was the narrator of the story, and Nico was the contestant who was expelled from the island.

So this became a story of survival. Conor took it upon himself to control of all the food and water. He and made it very difficult for the others to survive. There was a storm on the island during which Romy died. None of the contestants liked the fact the Conor made himself in charge of their food and water so Bayer decided to confront him. They got into a fight and Conor killed him. And then Santana, being a diabetic, realized all of her insulin was gone. They assumed Conor had taken it. Dan went to confront him and he disappeared. The next day, his body washed up on shore. It was assumed that Conor killed him. It was Lyla who first saw the body and in his hand was a bottle of insulin. Lyla told Joel about it and then he disappeared.

It was clear to everyone that Conor was a psychopath. The women wanted to be rid of him but they didn't know how to make that happen. Evidence indicated that he had been abusing Zana but she was too traumatized to leave him. So it behooved the other women to find a way to survive until they could be rescued.

All of the characters were truly believable and I found it easy to identify with them. I was impressed with the way the author spun the story and found it was not at all difficult to follow. I liked the way the author paced the story to a compelling crescendo. It wasn't overwhelmingly excellent book. I gave it five stars.

Thank you to Ruth Ware and Gallery Books for my copy of One Perfect Couple! It’s about Lyla, a logical scientist dating an aspiring actor. Things aren’t going the best, so when he asks her to join a new reality TV show with her, she thinks of it as a last ditch effort to make it work. The show is called The Perfect Couple, and is similar to Love Island, and Lyla knows she won’t fit in. The other couples are beautiful and competitive, and she just wants to last the first week.

When they finally get to the island, things start to go terribly wrong. The first challenge leaves everyone upset, and then a huge storm cuts the contestants off from everyone else. They are stranded on the island and aren’t sure when they will be rescued. They band together to survive, but realize maybe not everyone wants them to be rescued after all. Then, the contestants start dying one by one.

Thoughts: This was a reality tv version of a book. It was super fun, lots of drama, and way over the top. You have to suspend belief immediately, and then this book is easy to enjoy. I loved the premise of the reality tv show and the location of a resort in the middle of nowhere. It was just like if Love Island went wrong.

I didn’t like any of the characters and they were hard to root for. I thought it was hard to connect with them because there wasn’t much background established. It was a fun popcorn thriller with an “And Then There Were None” trope. I think it could have been a bit more mysterious, as the reveal, if you can even call it that, fell pretty flat and was obvious. It’s a fun beach read, but I wasn’t necessarily wowed. 3-stars

One Perfect Couple follows Lyla and her boyfriend Nico who are cast in a new reality show called the Perfect Couple. The show is filmed on a remote island. They will be competing against four other couples. All of their technology gets taken away and they are left to fend for themselves. The first challenge does not go so well leaving everyone on edge. To make matters worse there is a big storm coming. Soon they are left to survive the storm with no way to contact the crew or anyone else to get help. And now they all must work together to survive.

Ruth Ware is very hit or miss for me. But one was so good. I have read books with a similar before so this didn’t seem very original to me. But this was very fast paced edge of your seat thriller. I was hooked the whole time. I also felt like this book had the right amount of drama. Overall I really enjoyed this one and I highly suggest it.

Thank you Ruth Ware, Scott Press, and NetGalley for the ARC of this book.

Didn't want to put it down

This captured me from the start and I found myself trying to figure things out when i was supposed to be concentrating on adulting stuff.

A young British couple join a reality series set on a remote island way off of Indonesia. Lyla, a research scientist, has no interest in going but her boyfriend, Nico, thinks it will be the break he needs to get into acting. The premise is that couples come and individuals are kicked off when they lose a challenge. Then the partner of the losing couple is "re-coupled" with another person. Lyla hopes to be kicked off quickly, but instead Nico is the one sent packing. He and all but one of the crew head to the ship that is supposed to take him to a helicopter pick-up site and return the next day to continue filming. But, a storm blows through, killing two people on the island and injuring another. The participant's only way of communicating with the outside world is a radio with an ever-decreasing battery. With no way of making water and not much food, attempts to find someone out there to rescue them are desperate. And futile. As participants start to die and their supply of food and water dwindles and one by one, it is hard to cope.

The story would be good, but it is greatly enhanced by the mystery component. Although you read of events happening, like Connor, the self-appointed, controlling head of the survivors, getting into a fight with someone and that person dying, you read a diary excerpt that tells a totally different story. The puzzle was very good as you really don't know what was reality. The ending ties everything together and is very satisfying.

I have read and enjoyed all of this author's work, but this was my favorite. There was plenty of suspense and a decent bit of social commentary.

Highly recommended

Ruth Ware does it again! Great thriller with so many layers, keeps you guessing until the very end. Great read.

A psychological thriller where our characters are cut off from everything and everyone is one of my favorite kinds of books, so it is no surprise that I was excited to read One Perfect Couple by Ruth Ware. Lyla has been dragged onto a new reality TV show by her boyfriend Nico who has aspirations of using it as a platform to fame. The new show will be filmed in the middle of the Indian Ocean, and five couples will compete to determine the winner. From the very beginning, things felt a little off with the production, but when a massive storm leaves the couples completely cut off from not just the producers, but the entire world, things turn deadly.

The story grabbed hold of me with the anxiety-inducing action, but it was the smartly written characters that did not let me go. The ongoing battle for survival had me turning pages. Lyla is the narrator and I liked her voice and approach to what was unfolding. We learn that some of those stranded have secrets and the weaving of their narratives worked well for me.

This is a good read and while a little longer than necessary, I absolutely enjoyed the ride.

Thank you, NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review.

Thank you to the publisher for the gifted (free) ARC

Deserted island, group of strangers, new reality tv show gone wrong? Count me in!

In a fan of this authors writing in general, and this book was no disappointment. I breezed through it in one sitting and was intrigued throughout the story. I’d definitely recommend it for fans of her previous books, and the genre!

I've read a lot of thrillers through the years, and this one unfortunately, just didn't hit the mark for me. I wish it did! I hate leaving poor feedback for an author because it's got to be incredibly hard to write a book, and I never want to make anyone feel badly about their work. As a reader of A LOT of books though, and many thrillers, this one was a let down! There was so much room for shocking events and twists that would keep the reader on edge, and it just didn't happen! I knew the ending and who was responsible the whole time! Everything was just so...blah! My jaw was never on the floor--and that's what I need for a GREAT thriller! In fact, by 65%, I just started reading dialogue and skipping chunks of narration so that I could move on. Ruth Ware is typically a great author, but this one was not her best work. It's thriller lite--diet thriller, if you will.


Side note: the characters' names drove me nuts! Zana and Santana...really? Of all the names in the world, we had to have RHYMING names to confuse the reader? I couldn't keep track of who was with who!

Thank you for the ARC to review, #NetGalley! #RuthWare #OnePerfectCouple

Entering into the pages of this novel was meant to be a journey filled with hope and excitement, fueled by my admiration for the author's previous works. However, what awaited within its covers was a devastating letdown, leaving me grappling with feelings of profound disappointment.

Despite my initial optimism, the narrative quickly unraveled into a shallow and predictable tale, failing to capture the essence and magic of the author's earlier creations. The promise of strong female characters, while initially appealing, proved to be nothing more than a superficial veneer, unable to compensate for the glaring deficiencies in plot and character development.

What added to the disappointment was the delayed introduction of elements that held the potential to elevate the story. These glimpses of brilliance emerged far too late, unable to salvage the sinking ship of disappointment.

Furthermore, the pacing felt rushed, with revelations and resolutions presented in a manner that robbed them of any emotional impact. Instead of leaving the reader pondering the intricacies of the narrative, everything was laid bare prematurely, depriving the story of genuine engagement and depth.

In summary, my experience with this novel serves as a poignant reminder that even esteemed authors are susceptible to creative missteps. While the presence of strong female connections provided fleeting satisfaction, it was ultimately overshadowed by the myriad shortcomings that plagued this literary endeavor.

For those who, like myself, approached this novel with high hopes, the bitter taste of disappointment lingers long after the final page is turned.

I would’ve liked to see more of the reality tv drama from the first 25% of the book, but it turned into a survival story. Not my favorite Ruth Ware story but it kept my attention.

Thank you to Net Galley and Gallery books for providing me with a copy of this title to read and give an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
I like a good thriller. Ruth Ware has definitely written a few that have kept me on the edge of my seat. I was excited to jump into this one and see where it went. Clearly she knows how to keep the suspense up as evidenced in this fast paced thriller! There's a reason she is one of the psychological queens of suspense!
Five couples set out to take part in a reality show where they are challenged to show they are the perfect couple, But things go exceedingly wrong when a storm hits the island where they are located and they are left to fend for themselves without any of the staff to help them out. Now they have to fend for themselves with limited supplies and no way to potentially be saved.
This book gave me total Lord of the Flies feels. I remember reading it in school and not believing something so horrific could happen. But the truth is, it is our instincts as humans to keep ourselves alive. And in stressful situations we will do anything to survive.
Ware introduces us to characters who are each distinct and bring something interesting to the plot. She writes them so true to life, you feel easily connected and know they could for sure be real life people you might meet every day. For me, it was easy to get attached to certain characters. At the same time, I was worried to truly like any of them because I knew there would be deaths among the group. And Ware did well to keep you in the dark as to the true reality of why the couples were chosen until the last moment when all is revealed!
The narrator is Lyla, a virologist whose boyfriend is trying to break out as an actor. When presented with the opportunity to come on the show, he wants to jump at the chance. But she is skeptical, even after she meets with the producer. She doesn't have a good feeling about any of it. But she gives in and decides to let him have his time in the spotlight. During the book we get some glimpses of other characters who use the one radio left to try and contact someone for rescue. And we get a glimpse of Zana, who writes diary entries of what is happening on the island. These perspectives allow a good amount of mystery to build as each character slowly gets picked off.
I think what I liked most about this book is Ware didn't make circumstances that seemed too far out of the box to have happened. I could truly see myself reacting as the characters did in their situation. It was very true to life.
This book delivers great tension which kept me captivated and often on the edge of my seat. I found the first 50% to be more of a slow build as characters were established and things started to happen. Since the cast of characters was larger, it took a bit for me to sus out each one and remember who they were. Then in the second half I could not put the book down. I was thrown into the intensity of the plot and gripped by the suspense. I needed to know where it would go and how it would end. There was definitely some pulse pounding happening during many scenes. And the ending was not at all what I thought it would be!
This is my favorite book by Ware by far. If you're interested in Love Island meets Survivor, you'll love Ware's twists and turns in this action packed thriller!

A socially relevant, twisty thriller that is perfect for the author's dedicated fan-base. A reality dating show on at a luxury island resort goes horribly wrong when a massive hurricane rolls through. A pecking order is quickly established, but in the end, the show is an afterthought and a true villain is revealed.

Another wild ride from Ruth Ware! This books starts as a slow burn was we get to know the main characters and what is happening in their lives that allow them to be drawn into to reality show. Lyla attends to support her boyfriend Nico and from the moment the step on the island the book kicks off. From shocks about the first person to leave the island to the storm and aftermath I couldn't put this down. As the story winds on Lyla finds herself fighting for her life and those of her...friends??

Really 3.75, maybe? The beginning quarter is a LOT of setup. Ware does an excellent job making the storm that wreaks havoc on the island a harrowing experience for the reader. I rooted for the female characters (and Dan!) on the island. The time does drag a bit on the island until we get to the finale, which is well done. Although, I do think the wrap up as to "why" is a bit weak.

This book is a classic Ruth Ware book. The plot had you thinking one thing and the end provides a twist. Really enjoyed her writing style in this one as well. Would recommend to anyone who likes Ruth Ware.

"One Perfect Couple" by Ruth Ware is a chilling exploration of deception, desperation, and the dark depths of the human psyche. Set against the backdrop of a remote island, this gripping tale draws readers into a twisted game of survival where nothing is as it seems. At its heart, the book is an exploration of the human psyche under duress, as a group of contestants is sent to an island for a reality TV show. After a major hurricane hits the island, primal instincts and buried secrets surface, setting the stage for a gripping psychological battle.

In general, I appreciated the progression of the book, though I found the conclusion to be somewhat exaggerated. I believe she could have streamlined it somewhat.

I loved the remote island setting with an upcoming storm and no possibility of contact with the outside world; it was creepy and I was there for it.

The thing is, I’m not into reality tv shows and all the drama so the conversations between the characters and just the whole concept was a tad boring to me buuuuuut there were some comical moments thrown in there that made me chuckle. 

Moreover, as a fan of The Woman in Cabin 10, I loved the cheeky little mention :D

Now, I had high hopes for this one so I went into it expecting a whirlwind of thrill, mystery and twists that make you question your sanity and I got none of that, null, zero. 

As the book was reaching its end, my hopes were slowly dwindling and when it all was said and done, I just stood there, trying to figure out what was thrilling about this thriller and nothing came to mind.

This was definitely not my cup of tea but it might be yours.