Layla is a British scientist, struggling with an unsuccessful research project. Her boyfriend, Nico, is an aspiring actor whose career is not going well. When he hears of an opportunity to apply for a reality TV series being filmed on a remote island off Indonesia, he convinces Layla to join him in the program's search for One Perfect Couple (the name of the series).
After a whirlwind audition, five couples (including Layla and Nico) are taken to the island and begin the competition. Their cell phones and other electronic devices are confiscated for the duration of the month's long filming, and they begin the introduction process.
But the first night, a huge storm hits the island. All communication is knocked out, and the couples are left to survive on their own since the support staff has been taken off-island. Almost immediately, things begin to unravel. Food and water are scarce, and friction between the teams quickly grows.
Because Nico was knocked off the program after the first night of interviews, Layla is left to fend for herself. She makes and then loses alliances with several other contestants before finding out who is truly a friend and who is not. She is the narrator throughout this novel.
Reading this book is like being on scene for the filming of "Survivor" or "Deal or No Deal Island" -- not real life but you can't stop watching.