Once again Nikki Smith has written a book which has kept me reading all night.
Also longing to visit Bali where it’s set - Bali is a character all of its own; which adds to the overall story.
Layla, Nate, Sophie and Jude were relatable characters, but wow what twists and turns. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher.
#Netgalley #TheyHadItComing

They Had It Coming by Nikki Smith is a riveting exploration of friendship, betrayal, and the dangerous consequences of concealed truths. The story revolves around two couples—Nate and Layla, and Jude and Sophie—whose seemingly perfect lives begin to unravel when Nate and Layla impulsively abandon their familiar existence in London for the tropical allure of Bali. When Jude and Sophie arrive to visit, what starts as a fun reunion soon exposes the cracks in their relationships.

Nate and Layla’s decision to leave behind their comfortable life sets the stage for a cascade of unresolved conflicts. Layla struggles with her sense of identity and the repercussions of their sudden move, while Nate's charismatic yet unpredictable behaviour deepens the fractures in their relationship. The emotional tension grows as both couples are forced to confront the lies and betrayals that have been simmering beneath the surface for years. This is no longer just a vacation—it's a collision course toward confrontation and reckoning.

Jude and Sophie, who had always been the more grounded pair, are not immune to the turmoil. Jude begins to question his loyalty to Nate as the truth about their past deception begins to surface, while Sophie battles with feelings of inadequacy, especially as she compares herself to the glamorous lifestyle of her friends. Bali, with its serene beaches and vibrant nightlife, serves as an unsettling backdrop for the emotional upheaval, heightening the tension as old wounds are reopened and new grievances come to light.

Smith crafts each character with depth and relatability, making their internal struggles resonate with readers. The themes of trust, loyalty, and vengeance are explored with raw emotion, as the characters' once-solid bonds are tested by their actions and secrets. The novel’s pacing keeps the tension simmering, leading to a dramatic and impactful climax that forces the characters to reevaluate their relationships, loyalty, and motivations.

They Had It Coming is an engaging and thought-provoking read, perfect for fans of psychological dramas that delve into the complexities of friendship and the hidden costs of deception. Smith’s sharp, accessible writing draws the reader in, making it hard to look away from the unravelling of these once-close relationships.

Read more at The Secret Book Review.

Nate and Layla are living the golden life in Bali, building their own villa, eating out at beach-front restaurants, surfing, yoga whilst working. What isn't to love? Jude and Sophie their friends aren't having the greatest time in London after Sophie comes home and their apartment has been burgled. Deciding to visit Nate and Layla they jet out for what they think is going to be a fun sunny holiday but everything isn't as perfect as the couples make themselves out to be. There is secrets between everyone of them and some trouble brewing between them.

Told in each character's pov and a hidden pov from many years ago that we see how that event matches up to the current timeline we learn about each of their backstories and what secrets they have. I was intrigued by some past events and really wanted to see what would come out of it. Personally i was constantly figuring out who the person was in the hidden pov and when i realized who they was it all added up which i really liked.

Full of tension between everyone, the cracks become bigger and the secrets have to come out as we later learn. Full of suspense and some twists and turns. The characters were all different in personalities and i enjoyed the realness of their problems and lives they were living.

Overall ' they had it coming ' was an interesting fun read that i managed to get through in a matter of hours and would recommend to others to pick up and read.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publishers and Penguin General UK - Fig Tree, Hamish Hamilton, Viking, Penguin Life, Penguin Business | Penguin for the copy of this arc in exchange of my full honest review.

Destination Suspense..
Bali beckons in this immersive destination suspense centred around a group of four. The group have been close for as long as they can remember but when two of them split and move across the world to Bali, the other two soon become their first visitors. Before too long worrying incidents begin and it becomes clear that not everything is quite as it seems. Is there rot beneath the glossy and perfect surface ? - secrets and lies will inevitably out. A heady suspenseful tale with a propulsive and compelling plot, a cast of credible characters and a well imagined and sumptuous setting.

Nikki Smith’s They Had it Coming is a gripping and twist-laden psychological thriller that delves into the dark undercurrents of friendship, betrayal, and revenge. With its sharp pacing and complex characters, this novel keeps readers on the edge of their seats, unravelling secrets that are as shocking as they are inevitable.

The story centres on two couples—Nate and Layla, Jude and Sophie—whose lives have been intertwined for years. From fancy dinners to shared workplaces, their bond has always seemed unbreakable. But when Nate and Layla abruptly leave their lives behind and move to Bali, the façade begins to crack. Jude and Sophie, eager to escape their own troubles in London, visit their friends in the tropical paradise, only to find that the idyllic setting hides a web of lies and simmering tensions.

As the four friends reunite, long-buried secrets and resentments rise to the surface. What follows is a tense and unpredictable game of manipulation and revenge, where loyalties are tested, and no one is quite who they seem. Smith masterfully builds the suspense, weaving together multiple perspectives and timelines to create a narrative that is as intricate as it is compelling.

The characters are richly drawn, each with their own motivations and vulnerabilities. The dynamics between the four friends are fraught with tension, their interactions laced with a sense of impending doom. Smith’s exploration of themes like trust, betrayal, and the lengths people will go to for revenge is both chilling and thought-provoking.

The exotic setting of Bali adds a layer of contrast to the dark narrative, its beauty and tranquillity serving as a stark backdrop to the characters’ unravelling relationships. Smith’s prose is sharp and evocative, capturing the emotional intensity and psychological complexity of the story with precision.

They Had it Coming is a story of friendship turned toxic, of secrets that can’t stay buried, and of the devastating consequences of betrayal. It’s a tale that will keep readers guessing until the very end.

They Had It Coming

Unputdownable Balinese just desserts

Two young mid-thirties couples whose men are former schoolmates turned corporate citybankers decide to pursue their dream of a better life in Indonesia. Nate and girlfriend Layla make the first move by emigrating from London to Bali and start building a villa while making good money as digital nomades.
Having been dishonourably fired from his job, Jude talks his wife Sophie into visiting their old friends for a few months, with a view to emigrating as well. Almost from the start, the tension between the two couples grows into enmity and their dream turns into a veritable hellish nightmare…
The clever and twisty plot will keep you glued to the edge of your seat, highly recommended!

I was so happy to receive a NetGalley arc in return for a review from one of my favourite authors! Another destination thriller with 4 friends that are holding secrets and lies that might just end up killing someone. A fabulous setting and great characters. A low lying sense of anxiety boils through the pages to a twisty ending. Pasts catch up with people. A great storyline.

This book had me gripped from the start and I couldn't put it down I read it in a couple of hours. I would highly recommend it

Great summer holiday read. Easy to get in to, but just as easy to put down again. I enjoyed the characters, but I got a bit put off by the constant reveals of things that they had been hiding from each other that it because formulaic and I started to loose interest towards the end

Such a gripping thriller that keeps readers on the edge of their seats from start to finish with a plot filled with twists and turns, making it impossible to predict what will happen next.
The writing is both engaging and suspenseful, with well-developed characters that add depth to the narrative.
The pacing of the novel is perfect, with just the right amount of tension to keep readers hooked without feeling overwhelmed.
The setting is vividly described, creating an immersive atmosphere that enhances the overall reading experience.
Absolutely brilliant!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this advance copy.
Nate and Layla have set up home in Bali, Jude and Sophie join them for 3 months. They have lots of secrets and shared history that is revealed through this mystery/ thriller.
I loved the descriptions of Bali and found myself looking up the various places they visited, so I could picture them.
The book drew me in from the beginning but sadly I felt the conclusion was a bit rushed, although it did tie up all the loose ends.
A good quick read!

Review - They Had It Coming by Nikki Smith
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This is the perfect summer read! Set in Bali with four friends (2 couples) living under one roof - but with many many skeletons in the closets.

The chapters are split up into each of the 4 characters POV’s and a few thrown in from a 5th…

It seems everyone has a secret that they are hiding - and what happened at the wedding!!

I really felt part of this story, and desperately wanted to be on those beaches with them!

I loved the suspense and trying and to work out who was hiding what. I did not see it going the way it did!!! And I was gripped in those final pages!

Thank you @netgalley and @nikkismith_author for letting me read this ahead of publication in May.

I loved this book by Nikki Smith who always writes a brilliant thriller. The descriptions of the places these books are set are so well written. Looking forward to the next book by Nikki who is one of my favourite authors. I highly recommend this book and the other books by Nikki.

Oh my word! This sizzling thriller kept me gripped right till the final twist, myself and my partner were on a cruise and I had to stay up late one night to finish it, I’m surprised she didn’t hear my gasp as I got to the final page. If you like your thrillers with the heat turned right up, dive in and enjoy!

Another fantastic read, ive already recommended this to my friends ready for when it comes out. The suspense was brilliant and it was ao gripping and written in a way that made it such an easy read.

Strong character development but lacked on plot. Virtually nothing happened for the first 70% and all the action and grand reveals were all at the end. I was so sick of the characters bouncing from bar to restaurant, beach to mountain. The last few plot twists did surprise me though.

Loved this destination thriller! I feel like there could have been a little more depth with the ending but still loved the whole experience. My favourite aspects -
Multiple POVs with unreliable narrators ✅
All narrators have intertwining secrets ✅
Destination ✅
Short, sharp, intriguing chapters ✅

This book kept me reading well past when I should be sleeping, I’m a sucker for a good mystery so having a book with multiple mysteries and a little bonus mystery of an unknown narrator really pulled me in.

I will definitely be reaching for more Nikki smith in future as I adore Lucy Clarke, these 2 women emerge you in the destination and have you feeling like part of the story.

Thankyou to NetGalley and penguinuk for the arc of this book :)

Jude and Sophie are living the dream after moving to Bali. Their friends Nate and Layla quit their jobs and escape their busy life in London to spend a few weeks with them. But it's not long before cracks in their friendship begin to show.
It's not my favourite book by author, but it still would make a great beach read. I thought there was so much going on that it was hard to know what was going on at times.
Thanks to Netgalley and publishers for this ARC in exchange for honest review.

OMG the chokehold this book had on me! Gripping from start to finish and was not expecting the ending whatsoever! Absolutely recommend for anyone who loves a suspenseful read.

This was my first Nikki Smith book and what a read!! I loved the Bali setting and feel this would be perfect for a beach read. It wasn't really fast paced but I didn't mind that. But such a great read. Cannot wait to read more from Nikki