One Perfect Couple, Ruth Ware, author; Imogen Church, narrator
Lyla is a scientist. Unfortunately, the result of her research has just produced the opposite results of what she had hoped for; she disproved the paper she hoped would actually be proven by her efforts. If the paper’s results had been affirmed by her testing, she would have advanced in the world of virology. Instead, her efforts might possibly end her career. Proving failures did not gain access to a lab or grant money.
Nico, Lyla’s beau of a couple of years, is a handsome actor. She is surprised and thrilled that he has chosen her to be his mate. He is struggling, but he has just received an offer to participate in a pilot program that might accelerate his career, catapulting him into fame and fortune. However, Lyla must also participate in this pilot program, since it is about relationships between couples and how strong their commitment is to each other. She is one-half of the equation. Participants will be eliminated through the use of various challenges to their relationships. Although Lyla is not sure she wants to participate, not sure she can leave her job that is probably about to end anyway, Nico is so convincing, she agrees to do this. She is hoping, however, to be one of the first contestants to be eliminated, as they face challenges to their relationships.
Five finalist couple participants are chosen. Soon, they are flown out to Jakarta. There, they board a boat to the Ever After island destination. It is a remote location in the Indian Ocean and has been fitted out as a kind of paradise. All devices of communication are taken from them, so they are totally cut off from the outside world. They only have each other. Soon they will get to know each other intimately. The first challenge throws their group into confusion and turmoil. One of them is immediately eliminated, and now, instead of ten, there are only nine contestants. Lyla is not eliminated as she had hoped.
The main idea of the pilot program is about how well the commitment to their relationship will fare when facing hardships. Will they survive the extreme challenges they will face? Will the same five couples emerge or will they switch partners? Have they arrived with their partner for life or will temptation win? Will someone else on the island be a better life choice, perhaps? The idea of watching couples air their dirty laundry as their fidelity is challenged, as they witness abusive relationships and power struggles, is the fodder of the social media programs today, and this reality TV program will be a sure hit if it works out and captures them destroying each other.
Baz, the head of the program is demanding and bullying. They have all signed contracts that bind them to the rules and challenges he presents. Although a powerful storm is approaching, Baz does not postpone the event, and he deposits them all on the island. What follows challenges them far more than they ever expected. Food and water must be rationed. Their fears and secrets will be exposed and will challenge their very existence. What was the real purpose of this pilot program? Do they really know their partners? They do not know the other participants well. Can they be trusted? Is there a murderer in their midst? Will they be rescued from this now desolate place? Soon, they begin to wonder who or what is behind the deprivation and terror they are facing? Will they survive?
I enjoyed this thriller, but sometimes, although a main theme of the book is reality TV, some of the scenes and behavior of the characters challenged my idea of reality. ( )

I thought this book was good! There were no big twists at all in it, but I enjoyed the journey. The audiobook was good. I liked her voice for the producer girl. SPOILER It's a reality show that goes bad, but maybe it wasn't actually supposed to be a reality show and it was a revenge show. Lots of murder, breakups. It was refreshing to read a book that didn't have a relationship as a focus, which is hilarious, because this book is called "The Perfect Couple" but nobody hooked up or anything. It seemed like it was going to be all about relationships, but it's a story of survival on an island and rationing food and water and how personalities can clash. Again, no big twists at the end, but really enjoyed the journey! ( )

Lyla ends up following her boyfriend, Nico, to an audition for a reality show. This is not something she wants to do at all but Nico needs this. The next thing she knows, she is in the middle of an island in the Indian Ocean with no cell phone and no way off.

Well, Lyla has gotten herself in a mess. She has the good intention of getting kicked off this island first. But it turns out, Nico is the first to go. Then it all goes downhill from there and you will need to read this to find out!

When I first started reading this book, I was not a fan. The reality show premise was just not doing it for me, especially the section where they all meet. Lots of characters and not a lot substance. But, as the tale moved along, it got better and better. It is a bit far fetched but the intensity just keeps building.

Need a good thriller with an ending with a punch…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review. ( )

When you jump into a Ruth Ware thriller, you know you’d better buckle up because you are in for one helluva a bumpy ride and One Perfect Couple is no exception to this rule. The story revolves around five couples taking part in a reality show being filmed on a remote and idyllic looking island. The couples are housed on the island while the crew, when not filming, stay on the yacht which transported them here.

But right from the first page, even before the action begins, Ware ramps up the suspense and tension through the judicious use of foreshadowing, letting us know that a storm will strand the couples on the island, that they have a means to communicate with the outside world but can’t reach anyone including the yacht, that there are dead and injured among them, and even, perhaps, a murderer.

The characters are a fairly diverse group but all beautiful and with the kinds of professions one would expect on a reality show. There's.the actor, the model, the youtuber, the influencer, teacher, and a scientist. And, of course, since this is reality tv, one of them is to play the role of villain. Fortunately, given the large cast, they are all well-drawn and easily distinguishable.

The story is told in the first person by Lyla Santiago, scientist and reluctant contestant, there only to please her actor boyfriend and she describes the growing desperation, fear, and divisions which develop as rescue becomes less likely. Juxtaposed with this is the diary entries of another contestant who isn’t readily identified and who gives another much less desperate view of events making you wonder which voice is closer to the truth.

Ruth Ware really delivers with One Perfect Couple. It is one fast and furious tale, sorta Survivor meets Lord of the Flies, and a completely non-stop page-turner of a thriller and I loved every tense OTT minute of it.

Thanks to Edelweiss+ and the publishers for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review

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I'm a big fan of Ruth Ware's writing. I adore her suspense tales. Her latest is One Perfect Couple - and I think it's one of her best.

Lyla's boyfriend Nico convinces her to try out for a reality show with him. It's one that will have five couples hoping to be the 'perfect pair' and win the big prize at the end.

There are reality shows of all type available on so many platforms these days. And the ante is being ramped up to attract viewers. (Admit it - you've watched at least one episode!)

Lyla has her doubts before they go and...I'm going to let you discover what happens next. Ware's plotting is devious - I honestly could not stop listening. There are many unexpected twists and turns woven into the narrative. The tension is palpable on every page.

Lyla is a great lead character - she's quick, clever, sees the big picture and isn't afraid to speak her mind. It's her viewpoint and action that we are listening to. And how about the flip side? You'll have no problem recognizing and despising the antagonist!

I knew this would be a fantastic listen for me. Ware's writing and Imogen Church's reading guaranteed it! Church has such a versatile voice - she's created a different, recognizable voices for all the characters. She easily captures the emotions of the players with her voice. And the same with the danger and suspense of the plot. The listener is easy drawn into the story. She speaks clearly and enunciates well. I'm always impressed when a single reader can have me thinking there's more than one person!

An easy five stars for One Perfect Couple the book and the presentation. ( )