I was nervous about this book when it referenced And Then There Were None, because I feel like authors copy along to closely to that book. However, I thought Ruth did a good job of making this her own. The premise for the book is that 5 couples are placed on an island for a reality show, but a storm hits and there's no way to reach outside help. People start dying but is it an accident or murder?

It was a good quick read but a little boring at times. Normally, her books are a faster paced. I also had a hard time keeping some of the characters straight in my head. When they were on the boat, we got a back story on all but then once they hit the island we had to try and remember about each. The main character, Lyla, is a virologist and I thought her internal dialogue and tangents about science was strange and boring.

Thanks NetGalley and Gallery Books for the ARC.

Could not put this book down! Five couples go to a VERY secluded paradise for a dating show and a huge storm comes leaving them stranded. After a few people end up dead were they really accidents?

Publication date: May 21st, 2024
Page count: 400
Genre: domestic thriller
Setting: island in Indian Ocean
POV: Lyla

Lyla is a scientist at a crossroads academically and relationally. She is dating Nico, who she loves, but is not sure she wants a future with. Nico is an actor, and pushes for them to go on a reality competition tv program One Perfect Couple. The show is comprised of 5 couples. Soon after the couples arrive on the island, things start to go very wrong.

Well written, fast paced, plot driven thriller. This is going to a very popular read!

Thank you to author, publisher, NetGalley for advanced copy. This is an honest voluntary review.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of One Perfect Couple.

I was surprised my request was approved and I'm grateful for the opportunity to read this before publication.

I'n not a fan of the author's books nor am I a fan of reality shows but the premise was intriguing and I wanted to see if the author would finally meet my expectations.

The set up is straight forward with the usual cliches:

Lyla is a scientist looking to salvage her career as a researcher. When her wanna be actor boyfriend, Nico, is offered the chance to join the cast of a new reality TV show, Lyla reluctantly agrees because she has nothing to look forward career wise.

Obviously, things will not end well.

We meet the couples who have their own personal issues, drama, and secrets, and naturally, not everyone will get along.

When a storm creates death and destruction, the survivors realize they are all alone on the island with no means to call for help. As bickering and distrust arise between the group, people start dying.

The vibe soon goes from tropical island getaway to Lord of the Flies with adults.

It doesn't take Lyla and her friends long to realize one of them is a killer and if they don't take action, she may not survive this trip she didn't even want to be a part of.

I thought Lyla was a decent character; she smart and responsible, but naturally makes poor decisions when it comes to her boyfriend.

I liked how all the women banded together at the end; girls always before boys, even though most of them had personal negative experience with men.

The narrative isn't suspenseful or thrilling; it drags as nothing really happens that the readers aren't already anticipating.

The survivors go about their day, forming alliances amongst each other, discussing what to do, people start disappearing, and dealing with the bad guy among the group.

Also, I thought the reason for the reality show was flat out unbelievable and ridiculous.

I'm all for revenge plots but this takes the cake. And not in a good way.

I always want to LOVE Ware's books, because I really did enjoy her first ones. Except, I just can't seem to. I enjoy parts of them and that is thrilling at first, but then when I figure out where it is going, I find myself disappointed. And, the thing is that I don't always mind a predictable story if it's told well. However, this one was too predictable and felt cobbled together at the last minute. So, all in all, One Perfect Couple was not my cup of tea.

Lyla, a virulogist and her boyfriend Nico, an aspiring actor are at a crossroads, and then they get an offer to join the cast of a new reality show, “One Perfect Couple” and before they know it they are whisked away to an island in the Indian Ocean. There they join four other couples, Angela and Bayer, Santana and Dan, Roni and Joel and Zana and Conor to compete to win a cash prize….and possible stardom.

The first challenge is a tough one and then (huge surprise) an enormous storm cuts the couples off from the mainland and they must try to survive. Is that possible? And is one among them the biggest threat?

Ware is an always reliable thriller author, and there’s nothing more satisfying than a locked room mystery. Add the reality TV trope and I’m all in, so I was excited to read this. I was a little disappointed, to be honest, with all the misogyny (not that Ware thought it was OK, mind you)….just, ugh. Overall, not my favorite of her books, but it will definitely be popular.