I’ve enjoyed previous books by Nikki Smith – set in exotic locations around the world – and when I saw her new novel was out and set in Bali, I requested and was granted an advance review copy (although it was out back in July 2025, so you can order it now if you like the sound of it). Here’s the blurb:

“Escape to Bali in this gripping new sunlounger thriller, for fans of Lucy Clarke and Ruth Ware.
Keep your friends close and your enemies closer . . .
Nate and Layla, Jude and Sophie. They’ve been a four for as long as they can remember: fancy dinners, dancing ’til dawn . . . Even living and working together.
So when Nate and Layla suddenly quit their lives and move to Bali, with its white sands and exotic beach clubs, Jude and Sophie are their first visitors. Anything to escape their life in London.
But as the two couples reunite, cracks begin to show.
Which is hardly surprising; they’ve been lying to each other for years.
And now, it’s time for revenge.”

I have to say it took me a weirdly long time to get into the book – I kept forgetting which of the characters were couples, and which two had moved to Bali and which two still lived in London. I know that sounds odd – and I’m sure is completely my issue – but everyone seemed interchangeable – it was bizarre!

I didn’t particularly like any of the characters either – so all in all, I’m not really selling this well to you?!?

It was clearly evident that each of the characters was keeping secrets from the others – both their other halves and their friends – or should that be frenemies?!

The descriptions of Bali – and the touristy / non touristy bits was interesting (and made me crave some sunshine!)

The storyline was interesting and you wanted to see how it developed – but then there was this huge change towards the end and a part of the story was so different to the rest it was as if two books had been spliced together with seemingly no initial connection. All in all – a bit weird.

Whether this just got me at the wrong time – but it just wasn’t the book for me – sorry!

Thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for my ARC.