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They Had It Coming
Escape to Bali in this gripping new sunlounger thriller, for fans of Lucy Clarke and Ruth Ware.
'THE NEW QUEEN OF THE GLAMOROUS DESTINATION THRILLER' ELLERY LLOYD
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 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.
'THE NEW QUEEN OF THE GLAMOROUS DESTINATION THRILLER' ELLERY LLOYD
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 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.
342 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 15, 2025
79 people are currently reading
806 people want to read
About the author
Nikki Smith
6 books119 followersNikki Smith worked in finance until 2017, when a 'now or never' moment prompted her to apply for the Curtis Brown Creative writing course. She is the author of five novels and co-host of the podcast In Suspense. She lives in Guildford with her family and loves to travel, ideally somewhere hot and sunny.
You can find out more about her on her website www.nikkismithauthor.com & she's on twitter/X as @mrssmithmunday
You can find out more about her on her website www.nikkismithauthor.com & she's on twitter/X as @mrssmithmunday
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 180 reviews
April 24, 2025
Who doesn’t love a destination thriller right. I have never. Even to Bali, but reading They Had it Coming I felt like I was there. Beautiful beaches, cocktails, temples and so much more. A great read for a dreary day.
This was a suspenseful and addictive read about 4 people that I really didn’t like very much at all. These couples were supposedly best of friends but they were lying and hiding things from each other for years. It takes a while for the reader to understand exactly how much they are deceiving each other but when you find out it is jaw dropping. I loved the wild ending and didn’t see any of it coming.
Such a fun read. Thanks so much to Penguin, Viking Publishing on NetGalley for my advanced copy of this book to read. Publishes on May 22nd.
This was a suspenseful and addictive read about 4 people that I really didn’t like very much at all. These couples were supposedly best of friends but they were lying and hiding things from each other for years. It takes a while for the reader to understand exactly how much they are deceiving each other but when you find out it is jaw dropping. I loved the wild ending and didn’t see any of it coming.
Such a fun read. Thanks so much to Penguin, Viking Publishing on NetGalley for my advanced copy of this book to read. Publishes on May 22nd.
May 31, 2025
Released: 22nd May 2025
What an addictive read, I was hooked from the first chapter until the last. The story weaves brilliantly with lots of intrigue that keeps you guessing throughout and holds no punches.
If you want a great revenge story, set in the beautiful Bali - then this is for you.
The story of two couples who are friends and the secrets they're all keeping from each other.
The first half of the book sets up the scene and the atmosphere perfectly, but be warned the second half comes at you fast.
I honestly think Nikki Smith just gets better with every book, such an exciting author.
Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC.
Reviews also published on:
Instagram || Threads || BSky || Fable || Uncover || Coffee and Kindle Blog || The StoryGraph || Amazon || Bookmarks
Happy to make friends on all socials
What an addictive read, I was hooked from the first chapter until the last. The story weaves brilliantly with lots of intrigue that keeps you guessing throughout and holds no punches.
If you want a great revenge story, set in the beautiful Bali - then this is for you.
The story of two couples who are friends and the secrets they're all keeping from each other.
The first half of the book sets up the scene and the atmosphere perfectly, but be warned the second half comes at you fast.
I honestly think Nikki Smith just gets better with every book, such an exciting author.
Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC.
Reviews also published on:
Instagram || Threads || BSky || Fable || Uncover || Coffee and Kindle Blog || The StoryGraph || Amazon || Bookmarks
Happy to make friends on all socials
July 30, 2025
Page turning thriller set in Bali, kept me gripped throughout. If you are after a fast paced Summer read this is just the ticket
July 28, 2025
4 ⭐
Destination thriller set in Bali.
Suprised at how much I enjoyed They Had It Coming.
Short chapters had me flying through this and finished it within a few hours.
Found myself gripped from the get go and wanting to know how it was going to pan out.
Beautiful setting, unlikeable characters and mostly predictable but an overall enjoyable read.
Would recommend 💕
Destination thriller set in Bali.
Suprised at how much I enjoyed They Had It Coming.
Short chapters had me flying through this and finished it within a few hours.
Found myself gripped from the get go and wanting to know how it was going to pan out.
Beautiful setting, unlikeable characters and mostly predictable but an overall enjoyable read.
Would recommend 💕
January 11, 2026
Thrillers aren’t usually my go-to genre, so I was surprised by how quickly this one gripped me and how much I didn’t want to put it down. Particularly the second half. This tightly-plotted story that kept me hooked as I kept telling myself “just one more chapter.”
Each of the female protagonists felt distinct and fully realised, with believable motivations and inner lives that added emotional weight to the twists. I appreciated how the story explored complex moral territory without leaning too heavily into cliché or predictability.
I couldn’t quite work out the men’s’ relationship, though. And then, for me, Nate’s ultimate storyline felt a little out of the blue. While it certainly added drama, it didn’t feel as rooted in the rest of the narrative as the other characters’ arcs. This might be a blindness or naivety, though.
A compelling surprise, glad that book club got me to step outside my usual reading lane for this one and look forward to hearing what everyone else thought about it.
Each of the female protagonists felt distinct and fully realised, with believable motivations and inner lives that added emotional weight to the twists. I appreciated how the story explored complex moral territory without leaning too heavily into cliché or predictability.
I couldn’t quite work out the men’s’ relationship, though. And then, for me, Nate’s ultimate storyline felt a little out of the blue. While it certainly added drama, it didn’t feel as rooted in the rest of the narrative as the other characters’ arcs. This might be a blindness or naivety, though.
A compelling surprise, glad that book club got me to step outside my usual reading lane for this one and look forward to hearing what everyone else thought about it.
February 25, 2026
SOME KEY WORDS
* Four POVs, and a fifth character with a narrative set to the past.
* Drama and intrigue
* Secrets and lies
* Trust
* Friendship
* Brits in Bali
* Thriller
* uncertainty with regards to the characters' credibility
* Some good twists, and some lesser good
SOME OPINIONS AND THOUGHTS
I was so close to giving just two and a half (and maybe that's actually what I'll do and just round it up) because this was such a let down.
First off: the cover says "two couples, one secret" - it's more like "two couples, twenty-ish secrets".
Second "problem", which is just an annoyance, but a huge one for me: the excessive use of " 'd " as in "had". "She'd said that xxx" "She'd eaten xx" "He'd showered" ... This is used multiple times on every single page. Why?! Why not just write "She said", "she ate" "he showered" in simple, strait forward past tense? This just drove me nuts. I've never seen this before, at least not in with the excessive (insane!) frequency as in this book.
Third issue: the characters! I don't need all characters to be loveable and sympathetic, but I need there to be something about them that makes me care, and here, there's just nothing. They all seem a bit lacking in personality, except what we're directly told ("Sophie is xzy" - type of person), their personalities are never SHOWN, just told to us directly. There are four of them, main characters, that is, and except for having different jobs and interests, they don't really stand out from each other. Rather they seem like pieces in a board game being moved around to create a narrative/story, deliver some lines and do some actions. That none of them seem to actually care genuinely for anyone else but themselves, doesn't help much either.
The plot is okay, but way too drawn out, and at times lacking in development. There are some twists and it has a lot of things going on that I would usually enjoy, but in this book, the writing style and the characters stood in the way for my enjoyment of the story itself.
I did, however, enjoy the conclusion/explanation of how the storyline from the past fitted into the present.
* Four POVs, and a fifth character with a narrative set to the past.
* Drama and intrigue
* Secrets and lies
* Trust
* Friendship
* Brits in Bali
* Thriller
* uncertainty with regards to the characters' credibility
* Some good twists, and some lesser good
SOME OPINIONS AND THOUGHTS
I was so close to giving just two and a half (and maybe that's actually what I'll do and just round it up) because this was such a let down.
First off: the cover says "two couples, one secret" - it's more like "two couples, twenty-ish secrets".
Second "problem", which is just an annoyance, but a huge one for me: the excessive use of " 'd " as in "had". "She'd said that xxx" "She'd eaten xx" "He'd showered" ... This is used multiple times on every single page. Why?! Why not just write "She said", "she ate" "he showered" in simple, strait forward past tense? This just drove me nuts. I've never seen this before, at least not in with the excessive (insane!) frequency as in this book.
Third issue: the characters! I don't need all characters to be loveable and sympathetic, but I need there to be something about them that makes me care, and here, there's just nothing. They all seem a bit lacking in personality, except what we're directly told ("Sophie is xzy" - type of person), their personalities are never SHOWN, just told to us directly. There are four of them, main characters, that is, and except for having different jobs and interests, they don't really stand out from each other. Rather they seem like pieces in a board game being moved around to create a narrative/story, deliver some lines and do some actions. That none of them seem to actually care genuinely for anyone else but themselves, doesn't help much either.
The plot is okay, but way too drawn out, and at times lacking in development. There are some twists and it has a lot of things going on that I would usually enjoy, but in this book, the writing style and the characters stood in the way for my enjoyment of the story itself.
I did, however, enjoy the conclusion/explanation of how the storyline from the past fitted into the present.
May 13, 2025
Thank you to the lovely author and penguin for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I loved this destination thriller. It was really intriguing and the characters had me hooked. I was trying to guess the twists all the way through but didn’t succeed. I enjoyed the ending and found it a good way to wrap up the book.
I wouldn’t mind more from these characters, I found them really likeable!
I loved this destination thriller. It was really intriguing and the characters had me hooked. I was trying to guess the twists all the way through but didn’t succeed. I enjoyed the ending and found it a good way to wrap up the book.
I wouldn’t mind more from these characters, I found them really likeable!
August 25, 2025
2.5 stars
Although the story did keep me gripped, I found some of the tropes a bit cheesy. It annoyed me how much the author dripped in tidbits of what had happened in the past, without telling us until later on.
Although the story did keep me gripped, I found some of the tropes a bit cheesy. It annoyed me how much the author dripped in tidbits of what had happened in the past, without telling us until later on.
March 22, 2025
There was seemingly a lot going on in this story. Two couples, four friends each, with something to hide.
Spending all of their time together soon begins to unravel each of them and their secrets and lies get closer and closer to the surface.
I didn't like any of the four main characters but I put that down to good writing as I don't think you're supposed to like them! They are four very unlikable people and you definitely get that vibe.
Written from different points of view plus one historical element, this is a style I enjoy, especially as it is written in short sharp chapters.
I also loved the Bali setting, I could just picture the gorgeous villa and surrounding areas ❤️
Unfortunately for me, this story just didn't gel. There was a lot of 'i have a secret, they have a secret' throughout the majority of the book without much given away. I know that sometimes this kind of tension building can be the making of a book but it just didn't work for me with this one.
When secrets were finally revealed I just didn't find them all that amazing and the wrapping up of all the individual stories didn't seem to come together well for me.
However, this is only my humble opinion! Nikki is a great writer and I thoroughly enjoyed both The Guests and The Beach Party (this was a 5🌟 read for me!)
Spending all of their time together soon begins to unravel each of them and their secrets and lies get closer and closer to the surface.
I didn't like any of the four main characters but I put that down to good writing as I don't think you're supposed to like them! They are four very unlikable people and you definitely get that vibe.
Written from different points of view plus one historical element, this is a style I enjoy, especially as it is written in short sharp chapters.
I also loved the Bali setting, I could just picture the gorgeous villa and surrounding areas ❤️
Unfortunately for me, this story just didn't gel. There was a lot of 'i have a secret, they have a secret' throughout the majority of the book without much given away. I know that sometimes this kind of tension building can be the making of a book but it just didn't work for me with this one.
When secrets were finally revealed I just didn't find them all that amazing and the wrapping up of all the individual stories didn't seem to come together well for me.
However, this is only my humble opinion! Nikki is a great writer and I thoroughly enjoyed both The Guests and The Beach Party (this was a 5🌟 read for me!)
March 25, 2025
I really enjoyed Nikki Smiths first book. Her writing draws you in and the book was perfect for the sunlounger on holiday by the pool. Nothing too taxing, but exciting and twisty.
The second book I got really annoyed with. The writing was quite scatty, and the final crunch came when she dropped a huge blatent plug - for her OWN book!! If it wasn’t on my kindle I’d have thrown it at the wall.
Benefit of the doubt. Book 3. Pacey - check. Decent characters - check. Intriguing - check. Blantent clanger of a plug for book #2? Oh yes. CHECK.
I’m sorry I can’t take that from my books, and although I was enjoying this one, I won’t be reading this author again for this reason. It’s just cheesy and rude.
2 stars for promise only.
The second book I got really annoyed with. The writing was quite scatty, and the final crunch came when she dropped a huge blatent plug - for her OWN book!! If it wasn’t on my kindle I’d have thrown it at the wall.
Benefit of the doubt. Book 3. Pacey - check. Decent characters - check. Intriguing - check. Blantent clanger of a plug for book #2? Oh yes. CHECK.
I’m sorry I can’t take that from my books, and although I was enjoying this one, I won’t be reading this author again for this reason. It’s just cheesy and rude.
2 stars for promise only.
July 31, 2025
Before I write this review which contains spoilers, you need to know who the four main characters are. Sophie and Jude are a couple from Wimbledon who go to Bali to spend a holiday or a 'sabbatical' with their friends, Nate and Layla, who are also a couple. Jude and Nate are best friends from university, former colleagues and once stumbled upon a dead woman in their university flat's bathroom after she had overdosed. (I think that's supposed to bind their friendship). Layla, on the other hand, embarrassed herself at Sophie and Jude's wedding by delivering a drunken speech about how Sophie used to steal things (lol) while Layla masked it as grief from her parents' recent fatal car accident. Finally, Sophie steals Layla's possessions in the villa after she sees photographic evidence of only Layla in her marital bed, assuming that Layla and Jude have slept together.
Are you still with me? The ending doesn't get much better.
You're telling me that the two women who secretly despised one another, and who attempted to kill the other one by pushing her off a cliff. Yes, they both try to do that, conspire against Jude (who used to spike women's drinks in London, then photograph and draw an eye on their hip to teach them a lesson for getting plastered, and had been fired from his job and investigated by the police) by planting a small bag of cocaine in his pocket and then calling the Balinese police on him to arrest him? To me that seems a little extreme... There are even a couple of ludicrous lines in one of the final chapters, namely, 'It looks like Jude will avoid the death penalty' and 'Sophie will be living with her [Layla]' after she has done some travelling.' Sorry, what?! I better hope that Jude avoids the death penalty for having been framed for possession of drugs?! And Sophie and Layla are suddenly friends?! Yuck! And are we going to ignore the fact that there is no comeuppance for the two women! (oh, and we find out that Layla has colluded with Nate in selling drugs and kissed another guy...)
There were also a couple of random storylines about the drug dealer who was poisoned by a snake, which had been orchestrated by another man who was threatening Layla. However, he seemed satisfied when Layla asked him to take charge of the building development, therefore being owed the remaining debt from Layla and Nate (ok). Secondly, Nyoman, the builder who was a corrupt tour guide in 2007, had been washed overboard and later assumed dead during an excursion after the group of tourists he was with demanded that they continue rafting along hazardous rapids. Years later he recognises Nate and plans to exact revenge on him by spiking his drink with methanol (no potential death penalty there then lol?)
So yeah, to conclude, I do not recommend this book.
Are you still with me? The ending doesn't get much better.
You're telling me that the two women who secretly despised one another, and who attempted to kill the other one by pushing her off a cliff. Yes, they both try to do that, conspire against Jude (who used to spike women's drinks in London, then photograph and draw an eye on their hip to teach them a lesson for getting plastered, and had been fired from his job and investigated by the police) by planting a small bag of cocaine in his pocket and then calling the Balinese police on him to arrest him? To me that seems a little extreme... There are even a couple of ludicrous lines in one of the final chapters, namely, 'It looks like Jude will avoid the death penalty' and 'Sophie will be living with her [Layla]' after she has done some travelling.' Sorry, what?! I better hope that Jude avoids the death penalty for having been framed for possession of drugs?! And Sophie and Layla are suddenly friends?! Yuck! And are we going to ignore the fact that there is no comeuppance for the two women! (oh, and we find out that Layla has colluded with Nate in selling drugs and kissed another guy...)
There were also a couple of random storylines about the drug dealer who was poisoned by a snake, which had been orchestrated by another man who was threatening Layla. However, he seemed satisfied when Layla asked him to take charge of the building development, therefore being owed the remaining debt from Layla and Nate (ok). Secondly, Nyoman, the builder who was a corrupt tour guide in 2007, had been washed overboard and later assumed dead during an excursion after the group of tourists he was with demanded that they continue rafting along hazardous rapids. Years later he recognises Nate and plans to exact revenge on him by spiking his drink with methanol (no potential death penalty there then lol?)
So yeah, to conclude, I do not recommend this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 3, 2025
3.75 stars
I have to admit the first thing that attracted me to this book was the cover, so eye catching, I love it!
Then I read the blurb and that really drew me in. I was hoping for a juicy plot packed with drama and a sunny setting of Bali.
Right from the start I was hooked. The story really drew me in and I flew through this in a day.
I liked the characters and was interested in what was going to happen throughout.
Also, I loved the setting. It really played a huge part of the story from start to finish and it added a lot to the plot.
I do have to say though by the end I did feel ever so slightly disappointed. I wanted more thrills, twists and drama, which would have really added to my enjoyment.
The ending didn't really work for me either, I ended the book feeling a bit let down as this had so much promise throughout to be a great read for me.
Overall I do recommend this book as I did have a good time reading it.
Thanks to Penguin and Netgalley for the ARC I received in exchange for an honest review
I have to admit the first thing that attracted me to this book was the cover, so eye catching, I love it!
Then I read the blurb and that really drew me in. I was hoping for a juicy plot packed with drama and a sunny setting of Bali.
Right from the start I was hooked. The story really drew me in and I flew through this in a day.
I liked the characters and was interested in what was going to happen throughout.
Also, I loved the setting. It really played a huge part of the story from start to finish and it added a lot to the plot.
I do have to say though by the end I did feel ever so slightly disappointed. I wanted more thrills, twists and drama, which would have really added to my enjoyment.
The ending didn't really work for me either, I ended the book feeling a bit let down as this had so much promise throughout to be a great read for me.
Overall I do recommend this book as I did have a good time reading it.
Thanks to Penguin and Netgalley for the ARC I received in exchange for an honest review
July 30, 2025
This book set up a promising premise with enough intrigue to keep me turning the pages, especially as the characters' pasts slowly unravelled and collided with the present. I think the reveals at the end of each chapter quickly became predictable and lost its intended shock value.
I found the relentless product placement/brand name drops pulled me out of the narrative and it started to feel more like a marketing ploy than storytelling.
While the character dynamics created some tension and curiosity, the characters themselves were difficult to connect with. Their general unlikeability made it hard to root for anyone, which detracted from the overall story for me.
That said, the story was accessible and intriguing enough to see me through to the end.
I found the relentless product placement/brand name drops pulled me out of the narrative and it started to feel more like a marketing ploy than storytelling.
While the character dynamics created some tension and curiosity, the characters themselves were difficult to connect with. Their general unlikeability made it hard to root for anyone, which detracted from the overall story for me.
That said, the story was accessible and intriguing enough to see me through to the end.
March 4, 2026
I loved this book, brilliant writing, full of twists and turns, each chapter ended on a cliffhanger. My brother introduced me to this author, and I'm so glad he did! A great read.
May 31, 2025
Another fab read from Nikki. I found this one really gripping and I loved the short chapters. I flew through this book and really enjoyed how fast paced it was. Really looking forward to reading more books from Nikki.
May 26, 2025
All my reviews can be found at damppebbles.com
Four friends who on the surface are a tight-knit group meet again following one couple’s move to gorgeous Bali. Nate and Layla upped sticks leaving dreary London (along with Jude and Sophie) behind to build their own villa on the sun drenched island surrounded by the digital nomad community. Following a chain of unfortunate events, Jude and Sophie decide the time is right for a visit and see how their friends are getting along. But as soon as Jude and Sophie land, it’s clear that there are tensions between the women. The wariness the reader feels emanating from the two women as they meet after time apart is palpable. There’s something fairly heavy going on between Sophie and Layla and I just HAD to discover what it was. The men, on the other hand, seem delighted to see each other. University besties reunited after a short time apart. These two are the glue holding everything together. Question is, is it Super Glue or Pritt Stick?
Last year I read The Guests by the same author. Embarrassingly, it was the first of Smith’s books I had read (I do have a couple of her other books on my Kindle). I loved it. I’m a huge fan of the destination thriller done well and Smith absolutely excels in the field. So much so, I have been looking forward to reading They Had It Coming for months! And what a sun-soaked treat it was. Flawed, realistic characters, a glorious setting and a gripping plot full of intrigue and suspense.
Two couples with a shared past. Jude and Nate met at university. Years later the bromance is still strong. Sophie and Layla were ‘sort of’ friends but something happened to put a spanner in the works. Now there is an unmistakeable sense of hostility between the two women. When Jude and Sophie rock up in Bali, the sense of unease is inescapable. They’re shocked to discover that the dream Nate has been selling them isn’t quite reality. The dream villa they’ve received photos of is nothing more than a building site, empty of contractors, staffed only by a disinterested site manager who manages to fob Nate off time and time again. But this isn’t the only surprise. Because these couples have their own secrets, their own resentments and their own agenda.
Would I recommend this book? I would, yes. They Had It Coming is THE beach read of 2025 for me! Intriguing characters whose story builds over the course of the book. Smith drip-feeds her reader with new information, jaw-dropping twists and a large dose of the unexpected. We get to hear from the four main characters, see how their minds work, how they secretly feel about each other. But there’s a fifth voice who remains anonymous throughout the majority of the story. What does this unnamed narrator have to do with what’s unfolding before us? Well, you’ll just have to discover that for yourself by picking up a copy of this compelling thriller. All in all, I loved the time I spent with They Had It Coming. I thought the character development was superb, I was wholly engrossed in the lives of these four people. I didn’t particularly like them but they came across as believable throughout. The setting is sublime. The author has clearly done her research and paints Bali for her readers in vivid tones. It was the suspense and the intrigue though which won out for me. I HAD to know more about these people. I HAD to know how things were going to end for them. I HAD to read more and discover their deepest, darkest secrets. Tense, gripping and completely absorbing. A cracking psychological thriller from a new favourite author. Recommended.
Four friends who on the surface are a tight-knit group meet again following one couple’s move to gorgeous Bali. Nate and Layla upped sticks leaving dreary London (along with Jude and Sophie) behind to build their own villa on the sun drenched island surrounded by the digital nomad community. Following a chain of unfortunate events, Jude and Sophie decide the time is right for a visit and see how their friends are getting along. But as soon as Jude and Sophie land, it’s clear that there are tensions between the women. The wariness the reader feels emanating from the two women as they meet after time apart is palpable. There’s something fairly heavy going on between Sophie and Layla and I just HAD to discover what it was. The men, on the other hand, seem delighted to see each other. University besties reunited after a short time apart. These two are the glue holding everything together. Question is, is it Super Glue or Pritt Stick?
Last year I read The Guests by the same author. Embarrassingly, it was the first of Smith’s books I had read (I do have a couple of her other books on my Kindle). I loved it. I’m a huge fan of the destination thriller done well and Smith absolutely excels in the field. So much so, I have been looking forward to reading They Had It Coming for months! And what a sun-soaked treat it was. Flawed, realistic characters, a glorious setting and a gripping plot full of intrigue and suspense.
Two couples with a shared past. Jude and Nate met at university. Years later the bromance is still strong. Sophie and Layla were ‘sort of’ friends but something happened to put a spanner in the works. Now there is an unmistakeable sense of hostility between the two women. When Jude and Sophie rock up in Bali, the sense of unease is inescapable. They’re shocked to discover that the dream Nate has been selling them isn’t quite reality. The dream villa they’ve received photos of is nothing more than a building site, empty of contractors, staffed only by a disinterested site manager who manages to fob Nate off time and time again. But this isn’t the only surprise. Because these couples have their own secrets, their own resentments and their own agenda.
Would I recommend this book? I would, yes. They Had It Coming is THE beach read of 2025 for me! Intriguing characters whose story builds over the course of the book. Smith drip-feeds her reader with new information, jaw-dropping twists and a large dose of the unexpected. We get to hear from the four main characters, see how their minds work, how they secretly feel about each other. But there’s a fifth voice who remains anonymous throughout the majority of the story. What does this unnamed narrator have to do with what’s unfolding before us? Well, you’ll just have to discover that for yourself by picking up a copy of this compelling thriller. All in all, I loved the time I spent with They Had It Coming. I thought the character development was superb, I was wholly engrossed in the lives of these four people. I didn’t particularly like them but they came across as believable throughout. The setting is sublime. The author has clearly done her research and paints Bali for her readers in vivid tones. It was the suspense and the intrigue though which won out for me. I HAD to know more about these people. I HAD to know how things were going to end for them. I HAD to read more and discover their deepest, darkest secrets. Tense, gripping and completely absorbing. A cracking psychological thriller from a new favourite author. Recommended.
December 21, 2025
hmm… i’m having kind of mixed feelings about this one. of course it’s like me to pick up a destination read that takes place in a summery, beachy paradise while it’s the middle of winter where i live.
the book is about two couples who befriended each other a while ago. nate and layla have moved from england to bali, and jude and sophie end up visiting them. tensions run high as past events threaten to surface and as it becomes clear that everyone has been lying to each other. if this book taught me one thing, it’s that it is toxic to let envy for someone else’s success consume you. also, men are awful.
the first half of this mystery-thriller was quite slow, and i genuinely didn’t like the constant name dropping of various brands the author included. not everything the character wears has to be labeled. it would’ve been fine to just say “she adjusted the collar of her blouse” (not an actual quote) instead of adding which brands the entire outfit is being assembled on, it added nothing to the plot.
the second half was much better as many more secrets were revealed and as it turned out that none of the main characters were particularly good people in general. i didn’t like any of them very much, which i also believe was the novel’s purpose after all. bonus points shall be given to the tropical/beach setting and the subtle criticism of overconsumption and mass tourism and how it affects locals’ lives—that was a good side note. at the end, everything was tied together and there was a final revelation.
i probably wouldn’t pick up any more of this author’s books, but this was an okay read which left me feeling unsettled at times, but was unputdownable in the last 30%!
the book is about two couples who befriended each other a while ago. nate and layla have moved from england to bali, and jude and sophie end up visiting them. tensions run high as past events threaten to surface and as it becomes clear that everyone has been lying to each other. if this book taught me one thing, it’s that it is toxic to let envy for someone else’s success consume you. also, men are awful.
the first half of this mystery-thriller was quite slow, and i genuinely didn’t like the constant name dropping of various brands the author included. not everything the character wears has to be labeled. it would’ve been fine to just say “she adjusted the collar of her blouse” (not an actual quote) instead of adding which brands the entire outfit is being assembled on, it added nothing to the plot.
the second half was much better as many more secrets were revealed and as it turned out that none of the main characters were particularly good people in general. i didn’t like any of them very much, which i also believe was the novel’s purpose after all. bonus points shall be given to the tropical/beach setting and the subtle criticism of overconsumption and mass tourism and how it affects locals’ lives—that was a good side note. at the end, everything was tied together and there was a final revelation.
i probably wouldn’t pick up any more of this author’s books, but this was an okay read which left me feeling unsettled at times, but was unputdownable in the last 30%!
February 13, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
A gripping, twisty sun-soaked thriller
I really enjoyed this book by the lovely Nikki Smith. The Bali beach vibes made me desperate to be on holiday in the sun and I know this is going to make an excellent beach read when it is released in the Summer. The setting was perfect and really well researched.
I like a book where you don't know who to trust and this certainly delivered, it was told from four different peoples POV and you aren't sure whether to trust a single one of them.
I had so many questions all through the first half of this book but the reveals came thick and fast during the second half, with the ending leaving me breathless!
Would definitely recommend!
A gripping, twisty sun-soaked thriller
I really enjoyed this book by the lovely Nikki Smith. The Bali beach vibes made me desperate to be on holiday in the sun and I know this is going to make an excellent beach read when it is released in the Summer. The setting was perfect and really well researched.
I like a book where you don't know who to trust and this certainly delivered, it was told from four different peoples POV and you aren't sure whether to trust a single one of them.
I had so many questions all through the first half of this book but the reveals came thick and fast during the second half, with the ending leaving me breathless!
Would definitely recommend!
May 21, 2025
Two couples escape to Bali for a fresh start, but beneath the sunlit paradise lie tangled secrets, betrayals, and fractured friendships. Nikki Smith masterfully explores themes of trust, loyalty, and revenge through vivid, relatable characters caught in emotional turmoil.
The story’s dual timelines and multiple POVs reveal the slow unraveling of relationships, fueled by deception and toxic friendships. While some plot twists feel familiar to seasoned thriller fans, the rich character development and atmospheric setting keep the tension alive.
Perfect for readers who love psychological thrillers with emotional depth and complex friendships.
The story’s dual timelines and multiple POVs reveal the slow unraveling of relationships, fueled by deception and toxic friendships. While some plot twists feel familiar to seasoned thriller fans, the rich character development and atmospheric setting keep the tension alive.
Perfect for readers who love psychological thrillers with emotional depth and complex friendships.
August 27, 2025
I was really intrigued by the premise of this book and enjoyed the dual timelines and different perspectives. Following friends struggling with a fracture relationship and a mystery in an isolated setting is something I always love.
I enjoyed this book overall though I found the characters to be unlikeable and the middle was a little slower paced than I expected.
This is a great thriller for those newer to the genre.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
I enjoyed this book overall though I found the characters to be unlikeable and the middle was a little slower paced than I expected.
This is a great thriller for those newer to the genre.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
April 28, 2025
3.5/5
Jude, Sophie, Nate and Layla had been a group of four for as long as they can remember. However, when Nate and Layla quit their lives to move to Bali and Jude and Sophie become their first visitors, it begins to appear they may not be as close as they thought. They’ve been lying to each other for years and now it’s time for revenge!
I absolutely loved sofa travelling to Bali in this book but I was also a little jealous as I wanted to be there with them! 🤣
The characters were pretty unlikable but they were also entertaining to read about which is the most important thing! I’d have liked some back story into the characters before Nate and Layla moved to Bali to get more of a feel of their relationships before the cracks started to show.
There were lots of twists thrown in towards of the end. Some of which I guessed, and some shocked me.
Overall an enjoyable and easy read which would make for a great summer beach book.
Jude, Sophie, Nate and Layla had been a group of four for as long as they can remember. However, when Nate and Layla quit their lives to move to Bali and Jude and Sophie become their first visitors, it begins to appear they may not be as close as they thought. They’ve been lying to each other for years and now it’s time for revenge!
I absolutely loved sofa travelling to Bali in this book but I was also a little jealous as I wanted to be there with them! 🤣
The characters were pretty unlikable but they were also entertaining to read about which is the most important thing! I’d have liked some back story into the characters before Nate and Layla moved to Bali to get more of a feel of their relationships before the cracks started to show.
There were lots of twists thrown in towards of the end. Some of which I guessed, and some shocked me.
Overall an enjoyable and easy read which would make for a great summer beach book.
August 2, 2025
Story about 2 couples, the men met at university and both get jobs in stock trading.
They have been a four for sibling then Nate and Layla move to Bali. Jude and Sophie are their first guests.
Anything to escape their London lives.
As they reunite cracks begin to show in all of their relationships. They are all lying to each other and have been for years.
Not it’s time for revenge.
Enjoyed this book and how the stories evolved who lied to who and how this impacted each of them.
They have been a four for sibling then Nate and Layla move to Bali. Jude and Sophie are their first guests.
Anything to escape their London lives.
As they reunite cracks begin to show in all of their relationships. They are all lying to each other and have been for years.
Not it’s time for revenge.
Enjoyed this book and how the stories evolved who lied to who and how this impacted each of them.
June 3, 2025
I love a destination thriller and this didnt disappoint. I love books by this author and I was super happy to have this one.
The setting was great and I enjoyed the build up. I disliked most of the characters but in a good way if that's possible.
Enjoyed the ending.
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for an arc in exchange for an honest review.
The setting was great and I enjoyed the build up. I disliked most of the characters but in a good way if that's possible.
Enjoyed the ending.
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for an arc in exchange for an honest review.
June 9, 2025
This was a fast paced, gripping read. Nikki Smith's characterisation is so strong that I was completely invested in the stories of four friends whose lives are unravelling, and desperate to know the outcome. I read long into the night and feel bereft now I've finished the book.
November 27, 2025
Het hele boek wachten op wat er nou uiteindelijk is gebeurd en op t einde een plottwist, leuk om te lezen maar af en toe langdradig. Lekker voor tussendoor
January 2, 2026
Wow I have not read a thriller like this in ages! It was excellent and a really great read, felt completely fresh and interesting. I think most aspects of the mystery were well executed and I also really liked the setting, Bali, but also that the author weaved in how digital nomads, rich expats etc can have a damaging and negative effect on a country and its locals, changing things for the worse. This was only a small part of the book but important.
January 25, 2026
This book was messyyyy but also so entertaining and idk if I’m oblivious but I did not see the plot twist coming
July 21, 2025
They Had It Coming by Nikki Smith is an entertaining and thought-provoking read, even if I’m not entirely convinced the characters truly had it coming. I breezed through it in a single sunny afternoon—it’s definitely a page-turner.
The suspense was high throughout, with cliffhangers at the end of nearly every chapter. At times, it felt a bit overdone and even unintentionally amusing—which I’m pretty sure wasn’t the goal—but it kept me reading nonetheless.
What really stood out were the themes around the influence of social media and tourism. The commentary on how influencers shape perceptions of a place—particularly relevant with recent headlines about influencers leaving Bali after finding the reality didn’t match the Instagram fantasy—was smart and well handled. The book also makes a strong point about the impact of tourism on local communities and businesses, without ever feeling preachy.
A gripping read with timely themes, even if the suspense sometimes tried a little too hard.
The suspense was high throughout, with cliffhangers at the end of nearly every chapter. At times, it felt a bit overdone and even unintentionally amusing—which I’m pretty sure wasn’t the goal—but it kept me reading nonetheless.
What really stood out were the themes around the influence of social media and tourism. The commentary on how influencers shape perceptions of a place—particularly relevant with recent headlines about influencers leaving Bali after finding the reality didn’t match the Instagram fantasy—was smart and well handled. The book also makes a strong point about the impact of tourism on local communities and businesses, without ever feeling preachy.
A gripping read with timely themes, even if the suspense sometimes tried a little too hard.
May 25, 2025
This is the first book I’ve read by Nikki Smith and having read the synopsis, thought it would be right up my street. I was not left disappointed!
This is a destination thriller set in the beautiful setting of Bali. The story is based on a friendship of two couples and what happens when one half moves to Bali and the other joins them for a holiday, it starts to become very clear that their friendship is far from perfect. Each chapter is from one of the friend’s perspectives, which I particularly enjoyed. And the chapters were short, which worked well.
What I loved about this book was that everybody seemed to be harbouring a secret and I was gripped trying to find out what each one was! And what tied in with what and how.
This was an overall easy read, that kept me gripped throughout. I thought the ending was good and hardly guessed any of the outcomes, which is always a bonus for me.
I’d definitely like to read more from this author and give this a solid 4 stars. It would make for the ideal holiday read!
Thank you to Penguin General and NetGalley who provided me with an advanced readers copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This is a destination thriller set in the beautiful setting of Bali. The story is based on a friendship of two couples and what happens when one half moves to Bali and the other joins them for a holiday, it starts to become very clear that their friendship is far from perfect. Each chapter is from one of the friend’s perspectives, which I particularly enjoyed. And the chapters were short, which worked well.
What I loved about this book was that everybody seemed to be harbouring a secret and I was gripped trying to find out what each one was! And what tied in with what and how.
This was an overall easy read, that kept me gripped throughout. I thought the ending was good and hardly guessed any of the outcomes, which is always a bonus for me.
I’d definitely like to read more from this author and give this a solid 4 stars. It would make for the ideal holiday read!
Thank you to Penguin General and NetGalley who provided me with an advanced readers copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
October 5, 2025
Loved it! Took a while but really enjoyed reading this one! Love all her books!
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