Survivor, reality tv and murder..all combined to make this Ruth Ware book entertaining.

Thanks to netgalley for the eArch

Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC of this book. 4.5 stars.

I had started to lose faith in Ruth Ware- I felt like the last couple books were just ok. Not this one- this knocked my socks off. I stayed up way too late for several nights because I wanted “just one more chapter” over and over.

I feel like it dragged a bit around maybe the 80% mark, and I thought the “reveal” towards the end was a bit weak, but since I was gripped by this from the beginning, I felt I had to round up to 5 stars. Well done!

One Perfect Couple may not be perfect, but it certainly puts the thrill in thriller. This is one creepy story where everyone’s motives are suspect.

In an attempt to boost her boyfriend’s acting career, Lyla agrees to join him on a new couples-only reality show competition set on a gorgeous tropical island. From the very beginning, the reader gets the feeling that something is terribly off about the show and the people involved. Things go from eerie to downright terrifying when the island is hit with a deadly hurricane, and the contestants are left stranded with limited food and water. Emotions run high as they are forced to do whatever it takes to survive until they are rescued. Meanwhile, there’s a murderer in their midst who seems determined to kill them off one at a time.

Lyla is a scientist, and I really appreciated her sharp, analytical mind. She’s no dummy. Every red flag that I noticed, she notices too. She gives voice to all my suspicions and objections. It makes the situation more believable. It was interesting to see the dynamics and different personalities among the couples, as well as the roles each person undertakes in the aftermath of the storm.

I could have done without the flash forwards that are incorporated, and the ending is more complicated than necessary in some ways and not detailed enough in others. Nonetheless, the mounting tension and tenacity of the main character make this a difficult book to put down.

Another great "closed room" thriller by Ruth Ware! 5 couples are on a remote island filming a reality TV show. On the first night on the island, there is a storm that knocks out all power and communications. Several contestants are injured or dead. And there are new dangers around every turn. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

I usually, don't like when books are compared to "and then there were none" but this story was an incredible adventure all on its own with or without the comparison. this gave me ominous vibes from the very beginning, loved the setting, pacing was on point. the twists were for sure twisting, and I did not want to put this down when I was reading it. I do wish there were a couple things clarified in the end, but honestly not knowing adds to the spook of it all. this was such a fun summer read. if you enjoy thrillers and like shows such as love island or love is blind for the messy drama, this book is so for you.

thank you, net galley, for allowing me to read an arc of one perfect couple by ruth ware in exchange for my honest review.

Wow. This book was the modern version of older Agatha Christie novels. It combines what we know from “keep you on the edge of your seat” mysteries with a “reality TV show” experience. I found some parts did slow down a bit for me but it always picked right back up and got me back in. This was my first by her and if more of her books are like this I will have to add more of her books to my list!

Very intriguing, complex plot with lots of layers. There were enough twists and turns to keep you guessing about the outcome. An entertaining read for sure!

I really liked the concept of this book and thought it was well done. The mystery became overly complicated and the story went on a little too long. I think it would have been better if someone else was the murderer. It did keep me interested and wanting to finish.

I love Ruth ware and couldn’t wait to read this one. It started off strong but then the middle really was slow and stretching the story line. The end wrapped up nicely but not my favorite of her books.

"One perfect couple" stands out as a gripping thriller, boasting a meticulously crafted storyline that hooks readers from start to finish. This captivating narrative, rich with suspense and intrigue, keeps readers on the edge of their seats. From the very first page, the skillfully plotted twists and turns draw readers deeper into the world of the story. With its seamless blend of mystery and suspense, "One Perfect Couple" cements its place as a must-read for fans of the genre.

Lyla’s boyfriend , an actor desperate for a a job talks her into participating in an island couples reality series. Layla reluctantly goes on what Nico has pushed would be a romantic adventure. The money offered would answer paraders for both of them. The bottom line in this surprisingly taut thriller is the level of surprise the reader will experience through the other contestants. Couples picked we learn not by random choice but by producers design. It reads quickly, there are some usual suspects, but overall the resulting twist will delight readers use to this genre.

All right--there are a lot of problems here, but I enjoyed reading this one!

3.75 stars

Five couples are stranded on a remote island while filming a reality T.V. show--not all of them will make it out alive.

Lyla, a scientist struggling with her career, is dating struggling actor Nico. With the chance of a lifetime to film a reality show in the vein of Love Island, Nico persuades a reluctant Lyla to film with him. However, after they arrive on a beautiful island in the Indian Ocean, a hurricane hits, turning the relationship-themed show into one about survival. As a result, relationships flounder, power dynamics shift, and chaos ensues, leaving only the strongest to survive.

While there are multiple characters, the sole narrator, Lyla, makes it easy to keep track of each one. Had multiple perspectives been shared, there would have been too many voices, which would have diminished the tension and suspense. The reader is also privy to one contestant's diary.

The plot is one I have read before--a combination of Stranded, One by One, and (very loosely) And Then There Were None. I enjoyed this much more than One by One, which was insufferable boring. In this take, Lyla’s relatable voice and her struggle for survival had me captivated. There weren’t any crazy twists or OTT plotting, which is why I enjoyed it so much. I wasn’t quite sure which characters would survive, and I was happy to see a few of them die.

One Perfect Couple has a different feel from Ware's other novels, with parts reading like a popcorn thriller. Despite a few plot holes and a fizzled-out ending, it is wholly entertaining and worth reading.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and Gallery Books in exchange for an honest review.

I am a fan of Ruth Ware and thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It was a super quick fun read that felt a little different from her usual work. As a fan of reality tv, it was fun to combine the theme in a book. Turn that theme into a Christie-ish, And Then There Were None type of trope and I am in! Despite a little saturation in the genre, I felt the story line and Ware's style of writing to be quite refreshing. Super quick, fast paced, Lord of the Flies meets a one by one thriller, trapped with a killer read.

I had read some reviews criticizing the characters, length of the book and plot holes and I could not disagree more. The book was full of action, no glaring plot holes, was paced beautifully, had just enough background knowledge and great character development. Unlike some other books in the genre where the character development is quite weak, this one contains five couples and a production crew and you truly care who lives or dies - there are some you will root for and some you will be quite happy to see go.

Thank you to NetGalley, Scout Press, Simon & Schuster, LLC and Ruth Ware for the privilege of reading an ARC of One Perfect Couple in exchange for my honest review.

This was my first book by Ruth Ware. The premise of the book is definitely appealing, however, I think the story starts slow. It was nice to have the little bits of radio call dispersed through out the first half of the book to add some excitement. The first half is mainly to introduce the characters, who in my opinion are mundane. The MFC, Lyla, has the potential to be a great character. I am Huge fan of women in STEM. I think I struggle with her, because she gave in so easily to Nico's wants, even though the whole situation should have been a red flag. The men is the book are *gag*. The fact that any of the characters were this gullible makes me frustrated with them, and I feel like they are definitely not presented as likeable characters. You maybe grow to like the survivors by the end of the book, but I still feel an air of suspicion about them. The second half of the book is definitely more engaging and intense since it is focused on the survival and the losses on the island. Everyone's connection kind of gets exposed in the second half too, so it's nice to the dots connecting. I would definitely recommend this book to my friends, especially those who have read other Ruth Ware books or those who like Mary Kubica.

Lee hesitantly joins her actor boyfriend on a deserted island for a reality tv show. After a terrible storm hits, leaving some injured or dead, the contestants realize they’ve been abandoned.

I could not put this one down. Let me tell you that I love my sleep, and I rarely stay up late reading books, but I stayed up reading this one because it was very hard to find a stopping point. It has everything you would want in a thriller: fast pace, an evil bad guy, strong women, and major suspense and action. It reminded me the entertaining anxiety I had while reading Stranded. Definitely recommend and is now one of my favorite Ruth Ware’s.

“.. we were being eliminated - all of us. And by someone who was determined to win this game at any cost. But the prize was no longer fame and money. It was survival.”

One Perfect Couple comes out 5/21.

Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy.

This novel really starts out with a bang - instant reality TV show goes Fyre Festival FAIL meets Love Island meets Survivor. I think if you love these type of shows, there will be more interest and pull for you. For me, it felt a little too far fetched - maybe that was part of the point- the Fyre Festival type of shock value? Ware did a good job of creating a creepy atmosphere riddled with anxiety though - I did find myself wanting to keep reading to see if they would be saved/what the hell happened. Meeting 5 couples immediately all at once was a bit of a slog - I had to keep returning to that chapter to see who was who and who they were coupled up with. Would be nice to have a couples guide/introduction inside the book when it releases :).

This book is what I imagine would happen if Lord of the Flies had a baby with Love Island. It is a slow burn to start, but the book really picks up speed at about 30% of the way in. I enjoyed the thriller, mystery and adventure elements combined with the reality TV twists. I do wish we got more background on the production crew and what happened to them after all of the major events occurred. I also wish we had more perspectives than just Lyla's. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

Five couples are brought to an island to compete on a reality show. After a storm ravages the island, the couples find themselves banding together to fight for their survival. A fast paced, psychological thriller worth the read.

Lyla is a scientist who has run into a bit of a career lag. Her most recent research project has not had the results that she was hoping for, and she thinks she will soon be out of a job. When Lyla’s aspiring actor boyfriend, Nico, gets the opportunity to join the cast of a new reality TV show that focuses on couples, Nico begs Lyla to take part. After some hesitation and reflection on Lyla’s end, she decides to take the leap with Nico to hopefully further his career amid her own career floundering. After a short and confusing audition process, Lyla and Nico jet off to Ever After Island to compete against four other couples— Dan and Santana, Bayer and Angel, Joel and Romi, and Conor and Zana.

After a boat ride through the Indian Ocean to the island, the competition begins. The first couple’s challenge leaves tensions high and feelings hurt. That same night, the island is hit with a violent storm that destroys much of the vital infrastructure and shelter on Ever After Island. The couples soon realize that they have no way to contact the crew that brought them to the island and as the days go by without rescue, they realize that they may be forced to try to survive on the island for the foreseeable future. As resources begin to dwindle, tensions run high, teams begin to form, and enemies are made. One thing becomes clear, not everyone can be trusted.

I could not put this book down! I highly recommend it. I am actually devastated that it’s over and that I don’t get to read this book anymore. A top-notch survivalist thriller that keeps you on your toes until the very end! The story is told from the point of view of Lyla, which makes it easier to get to know each character without getting too confused about who it who. I adored all of the women in this book and really loved the girl power element of it. I think that each of the women are inspiring in their own, very different ways. I have been a Ruth Ware reader for years and years and will continue to keep her at the tippy top of my must-read list. I can’t wait to read what she comes up with next :)

Thank you to Gallery Books | Gallery/Scout Press and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Ruth Ware is a mastermind and I absolutely jumped at the chance to read an early copy of her book. This was the perfect locked room mystery with a sultry vacation vibe.

Virologist Lyla and her actor boyfriend, Nico, are chosen to appear on a new mystery dating show on a remote island off of Indonesia, what could possibly go wrong? Lyla hesitates to go, as she isn't one for the spotlight, but ultimately agrees for this trip of a lifetime to appease Nico. Multiple couples travel to the remote island to film the show, One Perfect Couple. There they will perform challenges and the one who under performs will be sent on their way home. The characters are an interesting mix of people who are hoping to use the show to jumpstart their careers. During the first night on the island, a terrible storm demolishes parts of the island, leaving bodies in its wake. Will the contestants survive without food, drinkable water and technology?

Thank you for the complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and Gallery Books in exchange for an honest review.