NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
Now a Hulu original series
“If three characters were good in Big Little Lies, nine are even better in Nine Perfect Strangers.” —Lisa Scottoline, The New York Times Book Review
From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Big Little Lies
Could ten days at a health resort really change you forever? In Liane Moriarty’s latest page-turner, nine perfect strangers are about to find out…
Nine people gather at a remote health resort. Some are here to lose weight, some are here to get a reboot on life, some are here for reasons they can’t even admit to themselves. Amidst all of the luxury and pampering, the mindfulness and meditation, they know these ten days might involve some real work. But none of them could imagine just how challenging the next ten days are going to be.
Frances Welty, the formerly best-selling romantic novelist, arrives at Tranquillum House nursing a bad back, a broken heart, and an exquisitely painful paper cut. She’s immediately intrigued by her fellow guests. Most of them don’t look to be in need of a health resort at all. But the person that intrigues her most is the strange and charismatic owner/director of Tranquillum House. Could this person really have the answers Frances didn’t even know she was seeking? Should Frances put aside her doubts and immerse herself in everything Tranquillum House has to offer – or should she run while she still can?
It’s not long before every guest at Tranquillum House is asking exactly the same question.
Combining all of the hallmarks that have made her writing a go-to for anyone looking for wickedly smart, page-turning fiction that will make you laugh and gasp, Liane Moriarty’s Nine Perfect Strangers once again shows why she is a master of her craft.
Underwhelmed, no point to the story, realllly struggled to finish
Liane Moriarty is great at getting you quickly invested in her characters and their stories – I have read a number of her books and recommend them.
I didn’t think it was well done compared to her other books. Found it rediculous
I’ve never read a book by Liane Moriarty and wish I hadn’t started with this one. Our relationship started out well, I had a hard time putting the book down. But as I got more into it, I had to force myself to finish, mainly because I wanted to see how she was going to wrap it all up. Needless to say, I did not love this book. I did enjoy the characters which is why I gave it 3 stars.
A great book from page 1! You MUST read authors book The Husband’s Secret, even better!!!!
Great read.
This started out strong, but seemed rushed at the end. I’ve enjoyed this author’s previous books, but this one fell flat for me.
Such a waste of a good concept! Nine strangers at a remote health resort… Sounds good already! Except it clearly wasn’t interesting or worth my time. After waiting for this book at my local library for weeks, and within a few chapters, I realized the story was not headed in my direction. It had not begun to captivate me, and the more I read, the more disengaged I became. When I finally read a few reviews and some spoilers, my decision was made and I returned it before finishing chapter 5. Not my idea of a spa experience! That being said, I enjoyed The Husband’s Secret and The Last Anniversary; and The Hypnotist’s Love Story sounds fun.
It’s hard for me not to give a Liane Moriarty book a 5 star. She’s an incredible writer, and this book has her trademark ability to flesh out a character in a way few authors can accomplish (me included!). My only real complaint was that, for me, the book lacked heart. The “villain” learned nothing, and at the end was continuing her behavior. It was worth my time, but when I finished I didn’t feel like I’d come away with a lesson, or a deep thought.
Nine unrelated lives are transformed in unexpected ways by a ten-day, unorthodox spa experience.
The thing that I love most about Liane’s books is the character building. She writes in a way that gets you so invested in people… even when they’re not the most likable. And she’s funny! Nine Strangers did not disappoint. Big Little Lies will always be my favorite, but I was pleasantly surprised to have loved this book almost as much. Loved!
I loved this book. Am sure that I will read it again and again. I highly recommend it for its sheer believability and because it leaves the reader thinking about what life is truly all about. Please read this.
3.5 Stars for this different story of a trip to a health spa turned wrong!
Nine strangers visit a Wellness Spa for various reasons. I expected the hardest part to be keeping track of all the characters. But, I thought that Ms Moriarty did a great job of introducing everyone in detail, more so than in some previous books. Around halfway thru the book, the story takes an odd twist, delving into micro dosing/psychedelic therapy, and remains different from there on out. While the storyline was unbelievable and far fetched, I did enjoy the majority of the characters and their individual dramas.
I made it about one-third of the way through, and couldn’t take it anymore.
This story is about a random gathering of people who fancied the idea of a health and wellness retreat, until they actually had to follow through.
– Everyone arrives at this retreat, dragging all their weighty and sodden emotional baggage with them.
– They are all miserable in their own unique ways.
– The staff are enforcing ludicrously “healthful” rules, like no speaking or eye contact for FIVE DAYS.
– Everyone focuses almost non-stop on breaking said rules.
Other than that, nothing is happening.
I had to stop reading because I felt like I was trapped in their hell with them and while they couldn’t escape, I could and I did.
I thought it was interesting but unethical at times. Had a good ending but not Something I would want to experience.
Started out well, but got more weird, and paradoxically, more boring as it went on. I normally love Liane Moriarty’s books, but this was a dud.
I’m a huge fan of Liane Moriarty, and I loved to see her mix up her style of storytelling with this book. Frances, a romance writer, was a pip! I can’t wait to see who plays her if there is a TV show or a movie. Nine characters are a lot to keep track of, but Moriarty did it well, leaving you with many unforgettable faces and haunting stories. It is a great book club pick (my friends and I really enjoyed discussing it)
Those first introduced to Liane Moriarty with her novel Big Little Lies and its subsequent Netflix series may not recognize the author from her newest outing, Nine Perfect Strangers. Moriarty provides her trademark page-turning thrills and some big reveals, but her most recent novel has a lighter tone and subject matter. In the tradition of the “closed room” plotline, nine people hope to achieve physical and mental transformation at a highly-regarded but unconventional new spa, Tranquillum House. Its mysterious director promises amazing results in ten days, but only if there is strict adherence to her unorthodox methods. The reader is introduced to each of the guests gradually, each chapter narrated in first person by a different voice. Their various reasons for attending the spa and past histories illuminate how they will react to each other and the spa’s increasingly strange protocols. The characters are interesting and well-written archetypes, but the novel stretches plausibility as they continually accede to increasingly questionable demands. Moriarty wraps things up very tidily at the end, providing a rather simplistic view of exposure therapy and resolution of past trauma. As would be expected from such a talented writer, however, Nine Perfect Strangers remains a quick and absorbing read-especially perfect for those looking for some escapist thrills with lower impact.
Interesting characters, I am half way through the book and will read to the end to see how they turn out.
I was very disappointed with this book. Story is told by many different characters and has twists and surprises but overall it was a bit too unrealistic a plot. Not one of the author’s best.