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Little One: A Novel
A searing novel from the USA Today bestselling author of Such a Bad Influence, follows a young woman whose life is upended when a journalist uncovers her mysterious and hidden upbringing. From the outside, Catharine West’s childhood sounds idyllic—balmy days spent running barefoot through the gardens, plucking ripe tomatoes straight from the vine as sunlight warmed her skin. Her parents built a life that was simple and community-focused, an ethos that soon attracted others in need of a change. For a time, Catharine’s magnetic father was enough to keep the farm thriving and temptation outside its gates. But as she grew older, the farm and family she was raised to love faded into something darker, forcing Catharine to evolve with it.
It’s now been a decade since Catharine abandoned the farm, and she has done her best to reinvent her life, until an email from a charismatic journalist interrupts her peace. Her first instinct is to ignore the stranger’s prying questions—whether she knew about a mysterious “cult” in central Florida, whether she is the same “Catharine-with-an-A” who lived there for a time. But when she realizes the journalist knows far more than he’s letting on, she reconsiders. If Catharine can stay one step ahead of him, she may be able to find the one person she never wanted to leave behind—her sister, Linna—and make sure her own secrets remain buried too.
Sharp-eyed and sweltering, Little One masterfully captures the dread of facing your deepest desires, when the hunger to become your best self threatens to drown out everything else. An achingly astute look at modern womanhood and wellness culture, it tackles the enduring How far would you go to be good?
"Taut and unflinching ... A dark, deeply engaging and emotionally charged ride from start to finish."―Ashley Audrain, New York Times bestselling author of The Push
It’s now been a decade since Catharine abandoned the farm, and she has done her best to reinvent her life, until an email from a charismatic journalist interrupts her peace. Her first instinct is to ignore the stranger’s prying questions—whether she knew about a mysterious “cult” in central Florida, whether she is the same “Catharine-with-an-A” who lived there for a time. But when she realizes the journalist knows far more than he’s letting on, she reconsiders. If Catharine can stay one step ahead of him, she may be able to find the one person she never wanted to leave behind—her sister, Linna—and make sure her own secrets remain buried too.
Sharp-eyed and sweltering, Little One masterfully captures the dread of facing your deepest desires, when the hunger to become your best self threatens to drown out everything else. An achingly astute look at modern womanhood and wellness culture, it tackles the enduring How far would you go to be good?
"Taut and unflinching ... A dark, deeply engaging and emotionally charged ride from start to finish."―Ashley Audrain, New York Times bestselling author of The Push
318 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 3, 2026
386 people are currently reading
24227 people want to read
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February 4, 2026
Onlookers might think that Catharine West’s childhood was idyllic. From glorious sunsets to picking fresh, juicy produce from the garden to running around as much as she pleased, her parents made sure their life was one centered around community, which led people to want to stay on their property to have a taste of the “perfect” life.
But a decade has passed since Catharine has been home, hiding in her new life to forget the memories and voices that haunt her about what she was and what she did. Everything in her life is curated to fit what she can control, until a journalist contacts her, asking if she knew anything about a mysterious cult in Florida. It’s a small crack in the mask she hides behind, but it’s nothing she can’t handle. But when she starts to think back to what life was like on the farm, Catharine begins to realize that she can’t run away from the truth of what she knows about what really happened.
I’m not gonna lie, I’m kinda disappointed. 🫤 I was expecting something entirely different, but I will say, this was interesting. The writing is really good (even though the grammatical mistakes were throwing me off a bit 😅), and although I knew my disappointment would only grow as I continued to read this book, I’m proud of myself that I stuck through until the end. Was the ending as good as I hoped it would be? No, but that’s okay. As I said, the story was interesting enough for me to give it three stars.
I didn’t really like the characters for some reason. I mean, the end kinda sealed the deal about why I didn’t like one of them, but I tried my hardest to root for any of the characters, but I just couldn’t. I didn’t warm up to Catharine at all, but I was so sad about what she had to go through as a kid. 😭 And the plot twists in the second half of the book were predictable. I wasn’t surprised by anything that came to light, except for one crazy thing at the end, but nothing shocked me. Even then, I don’t know if it’s that kind of book. Either way, the story is what saved the day because, as I said, it was quite interesting. 👍🏼
I understand, though, about Catharine’s hesitancy about wanting to share her story. There are several true crime podcasts, videos, books, and series that go into detail about what cults run by narcissistic crazies have done to innocent people who were looking for help. What difference would one more make? Well, I think it’s like the news. Why do we hear story after story of robberies, murders, and other horrible things happening in the world when it happens every day? Easy, someone would say. It’s to inform the public. That’s how I feel about true crime media. It’s there to inform the public about the evils of this world, hold it accountable, see how those who were evil were brought to justice (and get angry when they don't), and remind us to never forget the victims who suffered at the hands of that evil. The world is a dark place. I wish it weren’t and that we could all live in peace and harmony, but that’s just not the case in an imperfect world. 😭💔 Sorry, I was just thinking about all that while I was reading. 😅
All in all, the way I feel about this book is that I’m grateful I got to read it, but I could have lived my life without it. There are a lot of good reviews for this, so I recommend reading those to see if this book is for you! 💚
Thank you to Little, Brown and Company and NetGalley for providing the arc in exchange for an honest review! All opinions and statements are my own. This book will be published on 02/03/2026!
❗Content Warnings❗
Mentions death, murder, withholding food/abuse/child abuse, violence, & blood.
Swearing: Yes
Spice: No (only mentions sex)
But a decade has passed since Catharine has been home, hiding in her new life to forget the memories and voices that haunt her about what she was and what she did. Everything in her life is curated to fit what she can control, until a journalist contacts her, asking if she knew anything about a mysterious cult in Florida. It’s a small crack in the mask she hides behind, but it’s nothing she can’t handle. But when she starts to think back to what life was like on the farm, Catharine begins to realize that she can’t run away from the truth of what she knows about what really happened.
I’m not gonna lie, I’m kinda disappointed. 🫤 I was expecting something entirely different, but I will say, this was interesting. The writing is really good (even though the grammatical mistakes were throwing me off a bit 😅), and although I knew my disappointment would only grow as I continued to read this book, I’m proud of myself that I stuck through until the end. Was the ending as good as I hoped it would be? No, but that’s okay. As I said, the story was interesting enough for me to give it three stars.
I didn’t really like the characters for some reason. I mean, the end kinda sealed the deal about why I didn’t like one of them, but I tried my hardest to root for any of the characters, but I just couldn’t. I didn’t warm up to Catharine at all, but I was so sad about what she had to go through as a kid. 😭 And the plot twists in the second half of the book were predictable. I wasn’t surprised by anything that came to light, except for one crazy thing at the end, but nothing shocked me. Even then, I don’t know if it’s that kind of book. Either way, the story is what saved the day because, as I said, it was quite interesting. 👍🏼
I understand, though, about Catharine’s hesitancy about wanting to share her story. There are several true crime podcasts, videos, books, and series that go into detail about what cults run by narcissistic crazies have done to innocent people who were looking for help. What difference would one more make? Well, I think it’s like the news. Why do we hear story after story of robberies, murders, and other horrible things happening in the world when it happens every day? Easy, someone would say. It’s to inform the public. That’s how I feel about true crime media. It’s there to inform the public about the evils of this world, hold it accountable, see how those who were evil were brought to justice (and get angry when they don't), and remind us to never forget the victims who suffered at the hands of that evil. The world is a dark place. I wish it weren’t and that we could all live in peace and harmony, but that’s just not the case in an imperfect world. 😭💔 Sorry, I was just thinking about all that while I was reading. 😅
All in all, the way I feel about this book is that I’m grateful I got to read it, but I could have lived my life without it. There are a lot of good reviews for this, so I recommend reading those to see if this book is for you! 💚
Thank you to Little, Brown and Company and NetGalley for providing the arc in exchange for an honest review! All opinions and statements are my own. This book will be published on 02/03/2026!
❗Content Warnings❗
Mentions death, murder, withholding food/abuse/child abuse, violence, & blood.
Swearing: Yes
Spice: No (only mentions sex)
February 3, 2026
A genre-bending knockout that was as hypnotic as it was immersive, Little One took me into the dark heart of a cult that both got my heart pumping and made me actually cry. Nuanced and poignant, I was stunned into silence by this true-crime-like story. You see, this tale was an eloquent mashup of mystery and literary fiction with a dash of thrills on the side. Bringing to mind the depth of Where the Crawdads Sing with the thought-provoking yet mysterious vibe of Wild Dark Shore, it had my eyes glued to the words from the very first page. Don’t get me wrong, much of the novel was a slow-burning exploration of identity, trauma, loss, and the need to belong, but I was so riveted by the haunting tale that I inhaled the whole book in one single go. After all, just when I thought I had the whole thing figured out, there was a “WTF?!” twist that absolutely took me out at the knees.
What else did I love about this gripping cult-centered novel? Well, with a ripped-from-the-headlines feel alongside of an atmospheric setting, it was no surprise at all that there was also a investigative journalism angle. Using it to further the two alternating past-and-present timelines by weaving them together with precision, I relished the slow unraveling of this intricate web of lies. Hiding dark family secrets and even darker truths, I wasn’t let down by a single revelation. You see, the chilling reveals slotted perfectly into place all while feeling genuine and real. That being said, the unsettling nature of the serious themes had me shivering with a ratcheting level of dread as the page count grew ever higher. All in all, I can’t help but give Ms. Muenter a big round of applause for this jaw-dropping *chef’s kiss* read. Rating of 5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
From the outside, Catharine West’s childhood sounds idyllic—balmy days spent running barefoot through the gardens, plucking ripe tomatoes straight from the vine as sunlight warmed her skin. Her parents built a life that was simple and community-focused, an ethos that soon attracted others in need of a change. For a time, Catharine’s magnetic father was enough to keep the farm thriving and temptation outside its gates. But as she grew older, the farm and family she was raised to love faded into something darker, forcing Catharine to evolve with it.
It’s now been a decade since Catharine abandoned the farm, and she has done her best to reinvent her life, until an email from a charismatic journalist interrupts her peace. Her first instinct is to ignore the stranger’s prying questions—whether she knew about a mysterious “cult” in central Florida, whether she is the same “Catharine-with-an-A” who lived there for a time. But when she realizes the journalist knows far more than he’s letting on, she reconsiders. If Catharine can stay one step ahead of him, she may be able to find the one person she never wanted to leave behind—her sister, Linna—and make sure her own secrets remain buried too.
Thank you Olivia Muenter and Little Brown for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: February 3, 2026
Content warning: gaslighting, bullying, body shaming, emotional and physical abuse, death of a parent, eating disorder, cult, murder
What else did I love about this gripping cult-centered novel? Well, with a ripped-from-the-headlines feel alongside of an atmospheric setting, it was no surprise at all that there was also a investigative journalism angle. Using it to further the two alternating past-and-present timelines by weaving them together with precision, I relished the slow unraveling of this intricate web of lies. Hiding dark family secrets and even darker truths, I wasn’t let down by a single revelation. You see, the chilling reveals slotted perfectly into place all while feeling genuine and real. That being said, the unsettling nature of the serious themes had me shivering with a ratcheting level of dread as the page count grew ever higher. All in all, I can’t help but give Ms. Muenter a big round of applause for this jaw-dropping *chef’s kiss* read. Rating of 5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
From the outside, Catharine West’s childhood sounds idyllic—balmy days spent running barefoot through the gardens, plucking ripe tomatoes straight from the vine as sunlight warmed her skin. Her parents built a life that was simple and community-focused, an ethos that soon attracted others in need of a change. For a time, Catharine’s magnetic father was enough to keep the farm thriving and temptation outside its gates. But as she grew older, the farm and family she was raised to love faded into something darker, forcing Catharine to evolve with it.
It’s now been a decade since Catharine abandoned the farm, and she has done her best to reinvent her life, until an email from a charismatic journalist interrupts her peace. Her first instinct is to ignore the stranger’s prying questions—whether she knew about a mysterious “cult” in central Florida, whether she is the same “Catharine-with-an-A” who lived there for a time. But when she realizes the journalist knows far more than he’s letting on, she reconsiders. If Catharine can stay one step ahead of him, she may be able to find the one person she never wanted to leave behind—her sister, Linna—and make sure her own secrets remain buried too.
Thank you Olivia Muenter and Little Brown for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: February 3, 2026
Content warning: gaslighting, bullying, body shaming, emotional and physical abuse, death of a parent, eating disorder, cult, murder
October 10, 2025
ARC for review. To be published February 3, 2026.
3.5 stars.
“The world isn’t asking for the perfect cult story as much as it is for another one, as soon as possible, please.” Cults, cults, cults, cults, CULTS! If you’re ever on this, my page, you may have probably have definitely have seen me talk about my love for the books about the cults. Because I like miserable people, I don’t know.
Catharine (something about this beautiful name spelled like this, really gets to me) West grew up in one in Central Florida in which her dad was the leader. The thing is, though, other than some references to fasting and a throwaway line about people giving up money to belong this really didn’t didn’t scream the type of cult addiction I’ve gotten used to. Not that it was an idyllic life or anything. Catherine’s first move should have Ben to get her gun, the second to get her car jeys (because it’s hers) and third step, toss the baby in the back seat (hey, we lived without car seats and are mostly fine.) speeding down the highways til you hit Orlando which has always go a million Disney-adjacent jobs available. But most of what is here just seemed to be a lot about, um, farming, I guess. Which I wouldn’t like either. But I digress.
Catherine left the farm ten years ago and now a journalist named Reese Campbell has figured out who she is and is after her tale. Reese claims to have a source, and Catherine is hopeful it’s her stepsister Linna who she hadn’t heard from in more than a decade. Oh, and Catharine is a bit obsessive about weight and food.
Will Catharine and the source tell the full story? What really happened down on the farm?
Like I said, I prefer a little more action in my cult books but this was a decent story, well-written with interesting characters. If it sounds interesting to you, i can recommend it,
3.5 stars.
“The world isn’t asking for the perfect cult story as much as it is for another one, as soon as possible, please.” Cults, cults, cults, cults, CULTS! If you’re ever on this, my page, you may have probably have definitely have seen me talk about my love for the books about the cults. Because I like miserable people, I don’t know.
Catharine (something about this beautiful name spelled like this, really gets to me) West grew up in one in Central Florida in which her dad was the leader. The thing is, though, other than some references to fasting and a throwaway line about people giving up money to belong this really didn’t didn’t scream the type of cult addiction I’ve gotten used to. Not that it was an idyllic life or anything. Catherine’s first move should have Ben to get her gun, the second to get her car jeys (because it’s hers) and third step, toss the baby in the back seat (hey, we lived without car seats and are mostly fine.) speeding down the highways til you hit Orlando which has always go a million Disney-adjacent jobs available. But most of what is here just seemed to be a lot about, um, farming, I guess. Which I wouldn’t like either. But I digress.
Catherine left the farm ten years ago and now a journalist named Reese Campbell has figured out who she is and is after her tale. Reese claims to have a source, and Catherine is hopeful it’s her stepsister Linna who she hadn’t heard from in more than a decade. Oh, and Catharine is a bit obsessive about weight and food.
Will Catharine and the source tell the full story? What really happened down on the farm?
Like I said, I prefer a little more action in my cult books but this was a decent story, well-written with interesting characters. If it sounds interesting to you, i can recommend it,
September 28, 2025
This is a very niche mash up of genres: literary fiction/mystery/a dash of thriller. For lovers of Wild Dark Shore, None of This Is True, and Crawdads. I was on the edge of my seat to figure out what was going to happen next, which is where it read like a mystery/thriller, but the way it’s poetically written is SO beautifully done that most times, it felt like a true literary fiction. It makes a really special story to make you feel like you know the characters like they’re real people and this was it for me. Thank you Net Galley for this ARC!
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February 9, 2026A fascinating look at the traumatic after effects of living in a cult, being molded by a cult leader and the pressures of modern life while hiding this secret. Catharine's struggles with her weight, discipline, and control are deeply relatable, and the book's thrust being the uncovering of the mystery of the cult was deeply engaging.
I highly recommend this for thriller heads! Well written, dark, and engaging without being pat or offering neat solutions to really complex characters. The last 100 pages might be tough once you connect the dots before the MC does, but the ending is worth it.
I highly recommend this for thriller heads! Well written, dark, and engaging without being pat or offering neat solutions to really complex characters. The last 100 pages might be tough once you connect the dots before the MC does, but the ending is worth it.
September 23, 2025
This book had my jaw quite literally on the floor as I reached the end. Truly an ending I did not see coming, as well as unexpected twists and turns throughout the whole novel. This thrilling and unexpected story speaking on wellness culture, the insatiable need for validation, and the dangers of groupthink, told with such vivid detail, is a literary masterpiece.
February 8, 2026
4.5 stars. Written in dual timelines with an unreliable narrator, this dark and twisty little thriller had me nodding my head and gasping in awe at that one moment at the end.. such a BIG SURPRISE.. and oh how I really enjoyed that Muenter wrote this featuring a cult element (which always peaks my interest!)
Although this mainly follows main character Catharine West whom I felt sympathetic to for all the crazy her narcissistic father put her and her mother, sister through, it also shows how a cult can impact every part of your being. Catharine grew up, relocated, changed her name, learned how to function in the outside world, and yet she’s found by a dodgy reporter who is seeking her tell-all. She agrees only to find out the truth about the sister she had to leave behind, Linna. The heart of the story involves Catharine’s past gradually being revealed and her waking up to the reality//realness of being manipulated and controlled by a parental figure, her father. He was the leader of their communal tomato farm in Florida, which was a cult in every which way. But even now as an adult ten years later, toxicity from her youth still lingers.
Oh my goodness.. Olivia Muenter has written herself such a relatable, thought-provoking book that one could easily mistake for nonfiction. What a great story.. as narrated by Helen Laser, exceptional! 🎧 Pub. 2/3/26
Many thanks to Hatchette Audio for the ALC. All opinions are my own.
Although this mainly follows main character Catharine West whom I felt sympathetic to for all the crazy her narcissistic father put her and her mother, sister through, it also shows how a cult can impact every part of your being. Catharine grew up, relocated, changed her name, learned how to function in the outside world, and yet she’s found by a dodgy reporter who is seeking her tell-all. She agrees only to find out the truth about the sister she had to leave behind, Linna. The heart of the story involves Catharine’s past gradually being revealed and her waking up to the reality//realness of being manipulated and controlled by a parental figure, her father. He was the leader of their communal tomato farm in Florida, which was a cult in every which way. But even now as an adult ten years later, toxicity from her youth still lingers.
Oh my goodness.. Olivia Muenter has written herself such a relatable, thought-provoking book that one could easily mistake for nonfiction. What a great story.. as narrated by Helen Laser, exceptional! 🎧 Pub. 2/3/26
Many thanks to Hatchette Audio for the ALC. All opinions are my own.
February 4, 2026
Thank you Little, Brown and Hachette Audio for my copy! All thoughts are my own.
I am not a thriller reader because I am easily scared! But, there is something about the pace of a thriller that always intrigues me. I’ve been a fan of Olivia’s work in many forms for many years and I was thrilled to read her sophomore novel. While I really enjoyed her first book, her second blew me out of the water. I found her writing to have evolved in such a positive and intriguing way. I could not put this book down and read it in just two days. It’s the perfect read for someone who wants the pace of a thriller but there isn’t any gore or nightmare inducing scenes.
Synopsis:
“From the outside, Catharine West’s childhood sounds idyllic—balmy days spent running barefoot through the gardens, plucking ripe tomatoes straight from the vine as sunlight warmed her skin. Her parents built a life that was simple and community-focused, an ethos that soon attracted others in need of a change. For a time, Catharine’s magnetic father was enough to keep the farm thriving, and temptation outside its gates. But as she grew older, the farm and family she was raised to love faded into something darker, forcing Catharine to evolve with it.It’s now been a decade since Catharine abandoned the farm and has done her best to reinvent her life, until an email from a charismatic journalist interrupts her peace. Her first instinct is to ignore the stranger’s prying questions—whether she knew about a mysterious “cult” in central Florida, whether she is the same “Catharine-with-an-A” who lived there for a time. But when she realizes the journalist knows far more than he’s letting on, she reconsiders. If Catharine can stay one step ahead of him, she may be able to find the one thing she never wanted to leave behind—her sister, Linna—and make sure her own secrets remain buried too.Sharp-eyed and sweltering, Little One masterfully captures the dread of facing your deepest desires, when the hunger to become your best self threatens to drown out everything else. An achingly astute look at modern womanhood and wellness culture, it tackles the enduring question: How far would you go to be good?” —NetGalley
What I Liked:
The Now and Then Timelines—As an aspiring writer, I’m always impressed with how an author can write in this style. It really kept the pace moving.
The Pace—I keep mentioning it, but it’s such an important quality of a book and this one really captured the unputdownable quality I think a lot readers crave.
The Characters—I was intrigued by so many of the characters. I often say I am not an investigative journalist so that’s one of the reasons I don’t enjoy thrillers; I don’t want to know if I can’t trust a character. But I found myself wondering that with this book!
The Ending—AHHHHHHHHHHHH. It surprised me. Maybe I’m naive but I didn’t see it coming!
What Didn’t Work for Me:
Nothing—I really think this is a fantastic book and I don’t say that often. It feels well crafted, well paced, and well written, and original in a genre that is often criticized for all just being rip offs of the most popular books.
Character Authenticity: 5/5 Scaredy Cat Rating: 1/5 Overall Rating: 5/5
Content Warnings:
eating disorder, emotional abuse, death of a parent, body shaming, physical abuse
I am not a thriller reader because I am easily scared! But, there is something about the pace of a thriller that always intrigues me. I’ve been a fan of Olivia’s work in many forms for many years and I was thrilled to read her sophomore novel. While I really enjoyed her first book, her second blew me out of the water. I found her writing to have evolved in such a positive and intriguing way. I could not put this book down and read it in just two days. It’s the perfect read for someone who wants the pace of a thriller but there isn’t any gore or nightmare inducing scenes.
Synopsis:
“From the outside, Catharine West’s childhood sounds idyllic—balmy days spent running barefoot through the gardens, plucking ripe tomatoes straight from the vine as sunlight warmed her skin. Her parents built a life that was simple and community-focused, an ethos that soon attracted others in need of a change. For a time, Catharine’s magnetic father was enough to keep the farm thriving, and temptation outside its gates. But as she grew older, the farm and family she was raised to love faded into something darker, forcing Catharine to evolve with it.It’s now been a decade since Catharine abandoned the farm and has done her best to reinvent her life, until an email from a charismatic journalist interrupts her peace. Her first instinct is to ignore the stranger’s prying questions—whether she knew about a mysterious “cult” in central Florida, whether she is the same “Catharine-with-an-A” who lived there for a time. But when she realizes the journalist knows far more than he’s letting on, she reconsiders. If Catharine can stay one step ahead of him, she may be able to find the one thing she never wanted to leave behind—her sister, Linna—and make sure her own secrets remain buried too.Sharp-eyed and sweltering, Little One masterfully captures the dread of facing your deepest desires, when the hunger to become your best self threatens to drown out everything else. An achingly astute look at modern womanhood and wellness culture, it tackles the enduring question: How far would you go to be good?” —NetGalley
What I Liked:
The Now and Then Timelines—As an aspiring writer, I’m always impressed with how an author can write in this style. It really kept the pace moving.
The Pace—I keep mentioning it, but it’s such an important quality of a book and this one really captured the unputdownable quality I think a lot readers crave.
The Characters—I was intrigued by so many of the characters. I often say I am not an investigative journalist so that’s one of the reasons I don’t enjoy thrillers; I don’t want to know if I can’t trust a character. But I found myself wondering that with this book!
The Ending—AHHHHHHHHHHHH. It surprised me. Maybe I’m naive but I didn’t see it coming!
What Didn’t Work for Me:
Nothing—I really think this is a fantastic book and I don’t say that often. It feels well crafted, well paced, and well written, and original in a genre that is often criticized for all just being rip offs of the most popular books.
Character Authenticity: 5/5 Scaredy Cat Rating: 1/5 Overall Rating: 5/5
Content Warnings:
eating disorder, emotional abuse, death of a parent, body shaming, physical abuse
December 28, 2025
A light book about growing up in a cult and leaving. I loved the way this book was written and the back and forth between past and present.. unfortunately I loved the past story more.
January 23, 2026
Woah?! This was so good. I listened to the audiobook and started wishing I had an e-arc because I couldn’t stop wanting to dive in! The short chapters and dual timelines kept me so engaged. I felt like the author’s writing was complete poetic and intoxicating. I loved the world of escaping a cult, and also exposing more of the “wellness” culture and how the extreme of this can be so dangerous. The woven themes in this plot were so well done. I loved the characters and found myself to feel like I knew them. The only reason I couldn’t give it five stars, was because the ending was almost too ambiguous that it left me a bit confused. I don’t like feeling that way at the end of a book, but it was still a literary masterpiece in so many ways! The mix of genres (literary thriller/mystery/general fiction) was amazing.
Thank you to NetGalley, Hatchette audio and the author for this ALC in exchange for my honest review!
Thank you to NetGalley, Hatchette audio and the author for this ALC in exchange for my honest review!
December 27, 2025
This book caught me off guard so many times and that is absolutely a great thing!! It is an emotional book with a challenging story but beautiful story too!! It’s a thriller with lots of secrets too!! It’s a lot and it’s a great read!!!
It has been ten years since Catharine left the farm that she grew up on and is working hard to leave that in the past. She lost so much there and it’s difficult for her to understand her childhood. There were happy times but also very unhappy times. An email from journalist Reese inquiring about her time at the farm allows so much to resurface. After a few questions from the reporter, It becomes very obvious to her that her memories must be very slanted!! So much will be revealed and Muenter will reveal a lot in the last 25 pages or so!!! Hold on for the wild ride!!
This one will publish on 2/3/26 so get it preordered now!! If you loved the debut by Olivia, SUCH A BAD INFLUENCE, you definitely want to read this gem!!!
It has been ten years since Catharine left the farm that she grew up on and is working hard to leave that in the past. She lost so much there and it’s difficult for her to understand her childhood. There were happy times but also very unhappy times. An email from journalist Reese inquiring about her time at the farm allows so much to resurface. After a few questions from the reporter, It becomes very obvious to her that her memories must be very slanted!! So much will be revealed and Muenter will reveal a lot in the last 25 pages or so!!! Hold on for the wild ride!!
This one will publish on 2/3/26 so get it preordered now!! If you loved the debut by Olivia, SUCH A BAD INFLUENCE, you definitely want to read this gem!!!
February 9, 2026
I have no idea how this got so many 4 and 5 star reviews. It was actually 2 stars until the last fifth of the book, when it improved a bit. This was a boring novel--I really try not to DNF ARCs but it was difficult. This book was longer than it should have been and had so many times when a character would ask a question and it was followed by an excess of paragraphs saying absolutely nothing before another character would actually answer the question. I got so tired of the mind dump that the MC kept spewing. The author kept dropping the barest crumb in an attempt to develop intrigue and I found the pattern to be annoying and not at all engaging. Rather than want to read further in order to see what it was all about, I kept thinking: Can we please get on with the actual story here. I do not recommend the book.
February 5, 2026
Little One by Olivia Muenter
In Little One, author Olivia Muenter delivers a searing psychological thriller about Catholice West, a young woman whose seemingly idyllic childhood on a Florida farm shaped by her charismatic father’s wellness‑oriented commune masks a far darker reality, one that gradually unravels in her memory and present life. It has been a decade since Catharine abandoned that past to build a new identity, but when a persistent journalist begins prying into whether she’s the same “Catharine‑with‑an‑A” tied to the controversial group, her carefully constructed life begins to shake and spiral, forcing her to confront what she left behind and the fate of her sister Linna. Muenter uses alternating timelines to heighten suspense and explore deep themes about belonging, control, and the hunger to be “good” in a world obsessed with perfection and wellness culture.
What resonated with me was how this book blends taut, atmospheric tension with Catharine’s emotional journey from awe to disillusionment; her vulnerability and sharp instincts made her a richly layered protagonist. The contrast between the glowing promise of her childhood and the cult’s corrosive reality kept me turning pages, and the novel’s exploration of identity, loyalty, and self‑perception felt both timely and poignant.
4 out of 5: a compelling, unsettling novel that challenges how we reckon with past wounds and the stories we tell about ourselves.
In Little One, author Olivia Muenter delivers a searing psychological thriller about Catholice West, a young woman whose seemingly idyllic childhood on a Florida farm shaped by her charismatic father’s wellness‑oriented commune masks a far darker reality, one that gradually unravels in her memory and present life. It has been a decade since Catharine abandoned that past to build a new identity, but when a persistent journalist begins prying into whether she’s the same “Catharine‑with‑an‑A” tied to the controversial group, her carefully constructed life begins to shake and spiral, forcing her to confront what she left behind and the fate of her sister Linna. Muenter uses alternating timelines to heighten suspense and explore deep themes about belonging, control, and the hunger to be “good” in a world obsessed with perfection and wellness culture.
What resonated with me was how this book blends taut, atmospheric tension with Catharine’s emotional journey from awe to disillusionment; her vulnerability and sharp instincts made her a richly layered protagonist. The contrast between the glowing promise of her childhood and the cult’s corrosive reality kept me turning pages, and the novel’s exploration of identity, loyalty, and self‑perception felt both timely and poignant.
4 out of 5: a compelling, unsettling novel that challenges how we reckon with past wounds and the stories we tell about ourselves.
February 6, 2026
3.5 but rounding up for the most chilling ending ever. This book has two timelines of a woman during her time in a cult as a child and once out as an adult. Sometimes too slow for me. Her father who leads the cult is so horrible it was often not enjoyable to read. The main character is very cold and hard to sympathize with but I guess that’s the point.
January 13, 2026
4.5 ⭐️- I really loved this book. Almost but not quite 5 stars for me. Not sure I would reread it but it was fast paced and gripping. It felt like literary fiction mixed with mystery and a thriller. I liked the main character and how she was a bit unreliable. I also liked how she analyzed people and situations. I truly enjoyed the dual timelines but did want a bit more details from the past. I also am unsure if I loved the ending. It wasn’t what I completely. wanted to happen and that is okay. Overall- it was very close to 5 stars for me.
Thank you to Goodreads for the ARC giveaway! I was so excited to win a copy.
Thank you to Goodreads for the ARC giveaway! I was so excited to win a copy.
January 11, 2026
Little One by Olivia Muenter was an interesting read, but ultimately not a very memorable one for me. Having read Such a Bad Influence first, I found myself liking that book more.
The cult theme was familiar since I read a lot of books in this space, much of the story felt predictable rather than surprising. While the “then” and “now” narrative structure was a strong addition and helped maintain some momentum, I kept waiting for a major twist that never really came.
The ending, in particular, felt anticlimactic and didn’t deliver. Little One isn’t a bad book by any means, but it didn’t stand out for me and may resonate more with readers who are newer to cult-focused fiction.
The cult theme was familiar since I read a lot of books in this space, much of the story felt predictable rather than surprising. While the “then” and “now” narrative structure was a strong addition and helped maintain some momentum, I kept waiting for a major twist that never really came.
The ending, in particular, felt anticlimactic and didn’t deliver. Little One isn’t a bad book by any means, but it didn’t stand out for me and may resonate more with readers who are newer to cult-focused fiction.
December 13, 2025
Book Report: Little One by Olivia Muenter
Little One is one of those books that immediately sinks its hooks in. From the first chapter…I was deep in Catharine’s world…what begins as an idyllic…back-to-the-land childhood slowly becomes something far more unsettling. Told in alternating timelines…the story moves between Catharine’s past on a communal Florida farm and her present life…where a journalist’s questions threaten to expose everything she’s worked to bury.
WOW. I could not put this down. Truly the definition of “just one more chapter” 😮💨✨ The tension builds so quietly and effectively and I found myself waiting on the edge of my seat to see how it would all unravel. Muenter explores the slippery overlap between wellness culture…control and cult-like devotion. How the desire to be pure or better can slowly eclipse autonomy and truth.
I love Olivia Muenter’s unique voice. Her novels read like literary thrillers…sharp…atmospheric and deeply unsettling in the most compelling way 🌀🌿
Thank you Little, Brown and Company for the advanced e-copy!
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Lyon.brit.A...
Little One is one of those books that immediately sinks its hooks in. From the first chapter…I was deep in Catharine’s world…what begins as an idyllic…back-to-the-land childhood slowly becomes something far more unsettling. Told in alternating timelines…the story moves between Catharine’s past on a communal Florida farm and her present life…where a journalist’s questions threaten to expose everything she’s worked to bury.
WOW. I could not put this down. Truly the definition of “just one more chapter” 😮💨✨ The tension builds so quietly and effectively and I found myself waiting on the edge of my seat to see how it would all unravel. Muenter explores the slippery overlap between wellness culture…control and cult-like devotion. How the desire to be pure or better can slowly eclipse autonomy and truth.
I love Olivia Muenter’s unique voice. Her novels read like literary thrillers…sharp…atmospheric and deeply unsettling in the most compelling way 🌀🌿
Thank you Little, Brown and Company for the advanced e-copy!
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Lyon.brit.A...
February 2, 2026
I’m still not sure how I feel about this one…. The story goes back and forth between present day, and when the FMC was a child.
On the one hand it was eye-opening and very enlightening, if not outright disturbing…
On the other hand it tells the tale of a cult leader and his family… from humble beginnings to a total 360… through the eyes of a child. Just a child… And all that she went through to try to keep herself, her Mom and her half sister safe…
Catharine (Rin) was a CHILD. Growing up with her parents…when her Dad decided that he wanted to try something new. Mom was on board with the idea…and off they went. They bought a farm… and vowed to make it the best place to live and grow up.
Soon, Rin’s Dad started to invite others to ‘the farm’ to realize the benefits of a ‘better’ life.
And for a while, all was good. But then, things started to slowly change.
Soon Rin and her Mom were being punished for silly things like gaining weight, or just not agreeing with Dad.
And then, Dad brings a new woman into the fold, with her daughter, Linna. And, proceeds to tell Rin that this is her new ‘sister’. Because, he’s divorced her Mom and married this new woman! What????
As Rin and Linna are growing up, they start to realize that life is not just a bowl full of cherries. And that maybe, their Dad has not been so honest with them. But… what can they do? They can’t leave on their own…
This was a very twisted, strange, psychological tale that definitely did not go as I assumed it would…
And, the fact that Rin was contacted and is actually “thinking about” talking to a reporter after all this time shows the amount of progress she has made in her life! At the same time it is also extremely heartbreaking…
4 bold, psycho, thriller, twisted stars for me! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
#LittleOne by @OliviaMuenter and narrated nicely by @HelenLaser.
THIS ONE HAS NOT BEEN RELEASED YET, BUT LOOK FOR IT IN A FEW SHORT DAYS! On 2/3/26!!
Thanks so much to #NetGalley and @HachetteAudio and @LittleBrownAndCompany for an ALC of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review!!
You can also find my reviews on: Goodreads,
Instagram: @BookReviews_with_emsr and/or
My Facebook Book Club: Book Reviews With Elaine
Thanks so much for reading! And if you ‘liked’ my review, please share with your friends, & click ‘LIKE’ below… And, let me know YOUR thoughts if you read it!! 📚⭐️
On the one hand it was eye-opening and very enlightening, if not outright disturbing…
On the other hand it tells the tale of a cult leader and his family… from humble beginnings to a total 360… through the eyes of a child. Just a child… And all that she went through to try to keep herself, her Mom and her half sister safe…
Catharine (Rin) was a CHILD. Growing up with her parents…when her Dad decided that he wanted to try something new. Mom was on board with the idea…and off they went. They bought a farm… and vowed to make it the best place to live and grow up.
Soon, Rin’s Dad started to invite others to ‘the farm’ to realize the benefits of a ‘better’ life.
And for a while, all was good. But then, things started to slowly change.
Soon Rin and her Mom were being punished for silly things like gaining weight, or just not agreeing with Dad.
And then, Dad brings a new woman into the fold, with her daughter, Linna. And, proceeds to tell Rin that this is her new ‘sister’. Because, he’s divorced her Mom and married this new woman! What????
As Rin and Linna are growing up, they start to realize that life is not just a bowl full of cherries. And that maybe, their Dad has not been so honest with them. But… what can they do? They can’t leave on their own…
This was a very twisted, strange, psychological tale that definitely did not go as I assumed it would…
And, the fact that Rin was contacted and is actually “thinking about” talking to a reporter after all this time shows the amount of progress she has made in her life! At the same time it is also extremely heartbreaking…
4 bold, psycho, thriller, twisted stars for me! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
#LittleOne by @OliviaMuenter and narrated nicely by @HelenLaser.
THIS ONE HAS NOT BEEN RELEASED YET, BUT LOOK FOR IT IN A FEW SHORT DAYS! On 2/3/26!!
Thanks so much to #NetGalley and @HachetteAudio and @LittleBrownAndCompany for an ALC of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review!!
You can also find my reviews on: Goodreads,
Instagram: @BookReviews_with_emsr and/or
My Facebook Book Club: Book Reviews With Elaine
Thanks so much for reading! And if you ‘liked’ my review, please share with your friends, & click ‘LIKE’ below… And, let me know YOUR thoughts if you read it!! 📚⭐️
February 5, 2026
As someone with virtually no interest in novels about cults, I’m terribly impressed with how invested in the subject Olivia Muenter had me. This happened with her previous novel as well, as child/mommy influencers are also not on my list of interests.
Muenter clearly is interested in these subjects, but her writing and the way she crafts her novels is so astute that I found myself again invested in a plot that didn’t appeal to me on the surface, just as she did with her first book.
A lot of it is the writing, far superior to what we often see in this genre, but she also plots compellingly and writes interestingly nuanced characters. I wish she hadn’t gone with a very similar twist at the end as she used in her first novel, but it does make for a good finish, and everything that came before that is exquisitely well crafted.
*I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
Muenter clearly is interested in these subjects, but her writing and the way she crafts her novels is so astute that I found myself again invested in a plot that didn’t appeal to me on the surface, just as she did with her first book.
A lot of it is the writing, far superior to what we often see in this genre, but she also plots compellingly and writes interestingly nuanced characters. I wish she hadn’t gone with a very similar twist at the end as she used in her first novel, but it does make for a good finish, and everything that came before that is exquisitely well crafted.
*I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
January 27, 2026
I couldn’t put this book down and read it so quickly. The author is quite poetic and I felt like I was there with the characters, feeling the heat of Texas summer and pang of hunger. I’ve read many cult stories but never one quite like Little One! The character development and story overall were very well done, with a twist at the end that had my jaw on the floor. I could absolutely see this turning into a tv series.
Read
February 4, 2026Gobbled down in 2 sittings! Go Olivia, go!!!
November 13, 2025
This book is an absolute stunner. It's the kind of story that grabs you by the collar on page one and does not let go. I genuinely think it has something for everyone: complicated family dynamics? CHECK. Cult-ish undertones? CHECK; A semi-unreliable narrator that keeps you guessing? CHECK. Complicated characters that you're still unequivocally rooting for? CHECK. A dual timeline that unfolds like a perfectly designed puzzle? CHECK. Un-put-down-able? CHECK (x infinity.)
I’ve been a longtime fan of Olivia Muenter as the co-host of the Bad on Paper podcast, and I enjoyed her debut… but THIS? This one takes the whole cake, the candles, and the bakery. It checked so many of my boxes it felt unreal. I am stingy with my 5 star reviews, but this one deserved every last glimmering spangle.
I’m also a reader who unapologetically loves a tidy ending, and this novel threads that needle with perfection. It ties up just enough to satisfy, but leaves that lingering “I’ll be thinking about this for weeks” feeling that only the best books deliver.
A sincere thank-you to NetGalley for the ARC — I’m genuinely grateful for the early access. I’ll be shouting about this one to both my personal and professional networks. I came across another reviewer who said this could easily be a Book of the Month pick (I’m an avid BOTM reader myself), and I could not agree more.
I may not be a book influencer, but I sincerely hope this catches fire on Bookstagram and TikTok. It deserves every ounce of attention it attracts.
My advice: Run — don’t walk — to read this one.
I’ve been a longtime fan of Olivia Muenter as the co-host of the Bad on Paper podcast, and I enjoyed her debut… but THIS? This one takes the whole cake, the candles, and the bakery. It checked so many of my boxes it felt unreal. I am stingy with my 5 star reviews, but this one deserved every last glimmering spangle.
I’m also a reader who unapologetically loves a tidy ending, and this novel threads that needle with perfection. It ties up just enough to satisfy, but leaves that lingering “I’ll be thinking about this for weeks” feeling that only the best books deliver.
A sincere thank-you to NetGalley for the ARC — I’m genuinely grateful for the early access. I’ll be shouting about this one to both my personal and professional networks. I came across another reviewer who said this could easily be a Book of the Month pick (I’m an avid BOTM reader myself), and I could not agree more.
I may not be a book influencer, but I sincerely hope this catches fire on Bookstagram and TikTok. It deserves every ounce of attention it attracts.
My advice: Run — don’t walk — to read this one.
September 16, 2025
Loved the story, loved the depth, loved the complicated characters. I want to reread just to savor each beautiful sentence.
Thank you to Little, Brown and Company & NetGalley for an ARC of this book.
Thank you to Little, Brown and Company & NetGalley for an ARC of this book.
December 15, 2025
Loved loved loved this book! It’s been ages since a book kept me up past my bedtime, but I (happily) missed out on several hours of sleep reading this one because I was so eager to see where it would go. Olivia is so good at writing complicated main characters and creating stories that are completely unique and yet wholly relatable. This one’s paced like a thriller, but is definitely scaredy cat approved. Just like with her first book, SABI, the last chapter in this one gave me chills—perfectly ambiguous.
September 16, 2025
3.75 ⭐️ Intriguing story & characters, beguiling writing.
With thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown & Company for this e-ARC.
With thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown & Company for this e-ARC.
December 5, 2025
Little One follows main character Catharine as she navigates how to share the story of her early years in a cult to a journalist. The novel switches back and forth from childhood to her life ten years after she breaks free. I was curious about the in-between and felt that the cult was lacking some detail. I'm assuming that was intentional, but I did wish there was a little more context peppered in.
That said, the writing was beautiful.
Overall - I liked this book and would recommend to friends who enjoy a literary slow burn!
Thanks NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
That said, the writing was beautiful.
Overall - I liked this book and would recommend to friends who enjoy a literary slow burn!
Thanks NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
October 5, 2025
I gulped this down. I found the story and the structure to be really compelling & I had to know what happened next. Much like Olivia’s debut, the end twist was both surprising and satisfying. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!
October 19, 2025
As an avid reader of mystery/ suspense/ thriller, I find it hard to really be shocked or particularly entranced by any “one” of this genre. From listening to BOP podcast, I know Olivia’s own appreciation of Gillian Flynn. I also find Gone Girl and Flynn’s Ouvre to be a pinnacle of both the popularity of this style and the peak example of it at its finest.
That being said, I have now read both Olivia’s novels and feel like she nails that undertone of darkness mixed with literary fiction. This is NOT a popcorn thriller but truly a work of dark art, just like Such A Bad Influence was. I loved them both, but think I may give Little One the slight edge for how masterfully it weaves the dual timeline narrative, and with how clear the narrators voice is from the very first page.
That being said, I have now read both Olivia’s novels and feel like she nails that undertone of darkness mixed with literary fiction. This is NOT a popcorn thriller but truly a work of dark art, just like Such A Bad Influence was. I loved them both, but think I may give Little One the slight edge for how masterfully it weaves the dual timeline narrative, and with how clear the narrators voice is from the very first page.
October 1, 2025
I loved Olivia Muenter’s debut and was beyond excited to read her latest which doesn’t come out until February.
Much like her debut, this book kept me on my toes and I always wanted to read just a little more. The pace is quick and the alternating timelines keeps the reader super engaged. I found the plot of escaping a cult fascinating and in some ways this book reminded me a lot of What Kind of Paradise. So if you enjoyed that one, for sure grab this one.
I can’t wait for others to get to read this book! It was so compelling, I really enjoyed it and recommend it!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc.
Much like her debut, this book kept me on my toes and I always wanted to read just a little more. The pace is quick and the alternating timelines keeps the reader super engaged. I found the plot of escaping a cult fascinating and in some ways this book reminded me a lot of What Kind of Paradise. So if you enjoyed that one, for sure grab this one.
I can’t wait for others to get to read this book! It was so compelling, I really enjoyed it and recommend it!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc.
November 7, 2025
I enjoy a good cult book, but I honestly didn’t know that was what I was picking up when I grabbed this- I chose it because i really enjoyed Olivia Muenter’s debut last year. This is a dual timeline novel, and a rare one where I truly enjoyed the chapter that I was in but also couldn’t wait to get to the other timeline. As a result, I stayed up way too late finishing this one. Incredibly satisfying yet unpredictable.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
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