I love reality TV and Ruth Ware, so I was very intrigued by this one! Ruth has some of the best twists and turns! This book had me captivated and kept me turning the page.

4.5 stars

Just that premise alone had me bumping this book to the very top of my TBR which is why I started reading it almost as soon as I checked it out from the library. I love a good survivalist show like Alone so the premise instantly had me intrigued. Lyla was an interesting main character because she was only participating in the show at her boyfriend's request. Then the storm hits and everything goes from bad to worse. This was a page turning read for me that I couldn't set down. I was invested in these characters and how/if they were going to survive. I will say that this book has some darker subject matter so check trigger warnings if you need them or message me. All in all, for me this felt like a fun summer thriller and reinforces the fact that I really need to work on catching up on Ware's backlist as well.

Readers who love reality television (and especially shows like Alone or Survivor maybe...I haven't watched that one myself) and those looking for a page turning read perfect to lose yourself in should pick this book up. I think I'm landing on 4.5 stars overall and rounding up.

I typically love Ruth Ware, and I also love reality TV, but I knew right away that this wouldn't be the one for me. I couldn't connect with the premise, especially after reading several similar books.

I struggle with Ruth Ware books. Some I absolutely devour while others end up missing the mark for me. I think my biggest issue with her books are the endings and not quite sure I loved where this one went.

The concept of a couple's reality show on a private island sounded intriguing enough, but it felt pretty cliche with little depth to the characters. Then some really bad stuff happens and it turns into more of a disaster thriller than a psychological thriller and what you think is going to happen actually happens instead of giving us a twist that, in my opinion, would have saved the book instead of making it incredibly predictable.

I did listen to the audiobook of this one and was glad because the narrator did a really good job. If I had read the print/ebook, I probably would have DNF'd it.

A reality show for couples set in a tropical paradise... sounds too good to be true when Lyla and her boyfriend Nico get cast for the show. Turns out if it sounds too good, it probably is.

This was another page turner by Ruth Ware and I could not put it down.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy to read and review.

In One Perfect Couple, Lyla’s academic career and relationship are both on the rocks when she reluctantly agrees to join her boyfriend Nico on a reality show called One Perfect Couple. They’re soon whisked away to a remote island, where they’ll compete alongside four other couples for a cash prize. But what starts as a fun adventure quickly turns dark as an intense storm leaves them stranded. With limited food, no phones, and no way to contact the outside world, survival becomes the main priority, and Lyla realizes this “game” has life-or-death stakes.

I’d rate this book a solid 3.5 stars. Ruth Ware delivers her usual suspenseful touch, and the novel keeps you on edge with a blend of reality-show tension and survival drama. While the setup felt familiar and the reality-show theme didn’t initially grab me, Ware’s storytelling pulled me in with high-stakes moments and twists that kept me guessing. Lyla’s character was relatable, and the thriller element added plenty of excitement. Although the ending felt a bit rushed, it’s an entertaining read for those who enjoy a mix of suspense, romance, and mystery.

Love Ruth Ware, author never disappoints. Another suspenseful thriller that makes me feel like I’m actually in the book. The characters keep you in your toes and guessing what’s going to happen next.

Lyla, a scientist, and Nico, an aspiring actor, have been in a relationship for two years, but they find themselves at a standstill, unsure of their future. When Nico gets the chance to appear on a new reality show called One Perfect Couple, he persuades Lyla to join him, believing it will be a boost for his career. Although she hesitates, she eventually takes time off work for the adventure.

Arriving at a picturesque Indonesian island, Lyla initially sees the trip as a vacation. With romantic huts, crystal-clear waters, palm trees, and plenty of drinks, it feels like paradise. However, beneath the beautiful surface, unsettling signs begin to emerge. The director's behavior raises red flags, and most of the crew mysteriously leaves each night, returning only in the morning.

The situation takes a drastic turn when a violent storm hits the island, causing significant damage to the accommodations. A palm tree crashes onto one of the huts, resulting in a tragic death. To make matters worse, the boat carrying the director and essential supplies doesn’t return. Did they go missing in the storm?

Stranded with limited communication—since the director confiscated their phones—and facing dwindling food and water supplies, panic sets in among the couples. What began as a glamorous reality show quickly spirals into a fight for survival, reminiscent of Survivor, especially as tensions rise and alliances begin to fracture.

One Perfect Couple by Ruth Ware is a gripping suspense novel, ideal for readers who enjoy thrilling twists in their beach reads.

One Perfect Couple is a thriller about reality show contestants stranded on an island. I’m not much of a fan for plastic reality shows, so probably not surprising that this book missed the mark for me. While the characters may have been written appropriately for this story, I found this book tough to get through.

Thank you NetGalley and Gallery Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I am a huge Ruth Ware fan, but I could not get into this one. I did not finish it. I will try again when I can get my hands on a hard copy. Sometimes it helps to have the physical book in my hands.

While One Perfect Couple had excellent momentum for the first 2/3, I found the last third to be lacking. I initially thought it would be my new favorite Ruth Ware book, but it fell flat and ultimately left me wanting more.

I loved The It Girl but I have yet to find a Ruth Ware book I like. One Perfect Couple is a great vacation book if you're a fan of dating reality tv shows. I am not. As a result, it was not my favorite mystery thriller. But I don't watch reality tv.

Young readers may enjoy this one, or someone who enjoys reality TV. I've read quite a few of Ruth Ware's books and this was not my least favorite but it was close. I take the blame--I didn't realize what it was about. The characters were stereotypical wannabe reality stars. I didn't connect with or like any of the characters, at least until the end. In fact, I disliked the first two-thirds of the books so much that I wondered how I was ever going to get through it. However, the last third of the book makes it worth it! I loved the last 100 pages or so.

This book started off good! I was so interested as someone who loves reality tv and thriller books. This book had me wanting to continue reading. However, the ending fell flat for me. It is not at all how I would have expected or even wanted this story to go. Honestly it had me rolling my eyes because of how off the ending was. I thought it could have done something much better with the way it began.

Great story with interesting and engaging characters. Who really is good, who is bad, who will survive the experience. This book keeps you invested until the very end.

Ruth Ware does it again! One Perfect Couple is about several couples being chosen for a new reality TV show on a brand new island resort. One by one, the contestants are disappearing or found dead, and the remaining survivors need to somehow live off of limited food and water while also trying to survive the things that are happening on the island. 4/5 stars, I thoroughly enjoyed this book!

Excellent mystery. I loved the premise and the surprises throughout. Great character building and plot development.

e-book ARC from Netgalley, all opinions are my own

This thriller was the PERFECT blend of reality island dating shows and locked room (locked island?) mystery! Ruth Ware is one of those authors that I automatically read when she releases a new title, and I loved the way she told this story so much! The back and forth of the narrative was a well written plot device, as well as the diary passages interspersed throughout the chapters. I don't want to give any spoilers, because the twist is delicious.

This was an insane ride! The story started like a bachelor-type reality show that went from sweet to insane in one night! There was a storm that happened one night and then BOOM! The love show turned into a show like Survivor! A daydream that turned into a nightmare overnight! I could not put this one down! I loved it!
Lyla is whisked off to a tropical paradise with her longtime boyfriend Nico. While everything seemed to be amazing at the beginning it slowly turned dark for the couple. Nico loses the game and is ultimately eliminated from the show then another couple is broken up because Lyla and the other boyfriend have to share a hut for the night part of the show to test compatibility and basically to test the people. Unfortunately that night there was a terrible storm that cut off their connection with the producers of the show. People were injured and then a couple were killed. So the remaining contestants must come together to survive and while everything seems to have a promising start things slowly start to turn sinister when another person dies and another male is coveting all the food and controlling all aspects of the chance of survival. Will they survive or will they all end up killing one another? You must pick up this novel to check it out! It will have you on the edge of your seat! Thank you Netgalley and Gallery Books for allowing me to read and review this one!

Ruth Ware is usually a superstar to me but this one... well it didn't quite fall flat, it had some substance, the problem was that it felt a little too derivative/standard? Like, i didn't expect it to completely erase all standards or anything, it just didn't have anything unique. Still, 3.5~3.75.