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Little One: A Novel
Not yet published
Expected 3 Feb 26A searing new novel from the
USA Today
bestselling author of
Such a Bad Influence
,
about a young woman whose life is upended when a journalist uncovers her hidden past as the daughter of an insidious cult leader.
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 How far would you go to be good?
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 How far would you go to be good?
414 pages, Paperback
Expected publication February 3, 2026
13199 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews
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!
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.
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.
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.
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!
November 3, 2025
Thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for this advance reader’s copy, in exchange for an honest review. “Little One” is scheduled for release on February 3, 2026.
We don’t hear a lot about cults these days, but that doesn’t mean they’re not alive and actively recruiting. I mean, look no further than our country’s current administration for proof.
Olivia Muenter’s soon-to-be-released novel “Little One” examines the workings and impact of a cult, and it does so in a very well written and organized fashion. My only negative comment is the book’s title, but more on that later.
The narrative opens with 28-year-old Catharine West celebrating the 10th anniversary of her escape from the farm, a central Florida-based cult that was run by her father. His magnetic personality and the bountiful fields of fresh-grown tomatoes drew people to the farm. It’s hard to imagine, at least initially, why anyone would want to leave.
But when an investigative journalist (Reese) interrupts the peaceful and successful life that Catharine has built since fleeing the farm, all the memories come flooding back. It becomes clear that life on the farm was not idyllic, and the nightmares never fully left.
In alternating timeline fashion, Muenter juxtaposes Catharine’s teen years on the farm with her current struggles to keep the dark past of her life buried for as long as she can. Her present-day best friend, Stella, is an excellent secondary character and sounding board. But a gnawing question – whatever happened to her sister Linna – prevents Catharine from completely shutting out what went before.
It soon becomes apparent that the journalist (Reese) knows more than he initially lets on. And it’s through his interviews with Catharine and the timeline flashbacks that Muenter exposes the dark side of the farm and its gradual unraveling.
Two minor complaints, if you will.
The book ends with a jump ahead ten years. Those types of leaps, especially at the end of a story, usually throw me off kilter. And I understand why authors do that; it’s an attempt to conveniently tie up all the loose ends. And Muenter does that fairly well. But the 10-year-later scenario is a bit too pie-in-the-sky to easily accept.
Secondly, the book’s title. Catharine’s father occasionally calls her little one, but that name just doesn’t seem to convey the concept and nature of the story. Perhaps calling it The Cult Leader’s Daughter might have been more appropriate. But that’s just one man’s opinion.
Overall, “Little One” is a well-written novel that I can easily recommend. I give it four stars, and suggest you check it out in February.
And you can check out all my reviews at my Raised on Reading (www.raisedonreading.com) book blog.
We don’t hear a lot about cults these days, but that doesn’t mean they’re not alive and actively recruiting. I mean, look no further than our country’s current administration for proof.
Olivia Muenter’s soon-to-be-released novel “Little One” examines the workings and impact of a cult, and it does so in a very well written and organized fashion. My only negative comment is the book’s title, but more on that later.
The narrative opens with 28-year-old Catharine West celebrating the 10th anniversary of her escape from the farm, a central Florida-based cult that was run by her father. His magnetic personality and the bountiful fields of fresh-grown tomatoes drew people to the farm. It’s hard to imagine, at least initially, why anyone would want to leave.
But when an investigative journalist (Reese) interrupts the peaceful and successful life that Catharine has built since fleeing the farm, all the memories come flooding back. It becomes clear that life on the farm was not idyllic, and the nightmares never fully left.
In alternating timeline fashion, Muenter juxtaposes Catharine’s teen years on the farm with her current struggles to keep the dark past of her life buried for as long as she can. Her present-day best friend, Stella, is an excellent secondary character and sounding board. But a gnawing question – whatever happened to her sister Linna – prevents Catharine from completely shutting out what went before.
It soon becomes apparent that the journalist (Reese) knows more than he initially lets on. And it’s through his interviews with Catharine and the timeline flashbacks that Muenter exposes the dark side of the farm and its gradual unraveling.
Two minor complaints, if you will.
The book ends with a jump ahead ten years. Those types of leaps, especially at the end of a story, usually throw me off kilter. And I understand why authors do that; it’s an attempt to conveniently tie up all the loose ends. And Muenter does that fairly well. But the 10-year-later scenario is a bit too pie-in-the-sky to easily accept.
Secondly, the book’s title. Catharine’s father occasionally calls her little one, but that name just doesn’t seem to convey the concept and nature of the story. Perhaps calling it The Cult Leader’s Daughter might have been more appropriate. But that’s just one man’s opinion.
Overall, “Little One” is a well-written novel that I can easily recommend. I give it four stars, and suggest you check it out in February.
And you can check out all my reviews at my Raised on Reading (www.raisedonreading.com) book blog.
December 17, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for a an advanced reader copy of Little One by Olivia Muenter in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
I was thrilled to receive an early copy of Little One after hearing the author discuss the intriguing premise on her weekly podcast Bad on Paper. Little One is a literary thriller about Catharine, a survivor of a cult run by her pathological father. It delves into the idea of cult devotion, and the overlap of the wellness culture and cults.
The well written story is a mix of psychological darkness and literary fiction, with slowly building tension. It gave me What Kind of Paradise vibes and the writing style of Clemence Michallon. The story is told using dual timelines and is one of the rare novels where I found myself equally invested in both timelines. In the past, Catharine is being raised on a remote commune in Central Florida, where her father expects members to endure increasingly harsh conditions (fasting, weigh-ins, child labor) in an effort to “improve” themselves. And 10 years later, Catharine is trying to reinvent herself in New York despite years of trauma. Catharine’s trauma rears its head when a reporter finds her in the hope of telling her story. Revelations from her time at the commune are both shocking and expected. But I was floored by the ending which is left somewhat open to interpretation. Overall I would recommend this dark psychological thriller, especially to fans of cult stories. 4/5⭐️ (Anticipated pub date: 2/4/26)
I was thrilled to receive an early copy of Little One after hearing the author discuss the intriguing premise on her weekly podcast Bad on Paper. Little One is a literary thriller about Catharine, a survivor of a cult run by her pathological father. It delves into the idea of cult devotion, and the overlap of the wellness culture and cults.
The well written story is a mix of psychological darkness and literary fiction, with slowly building tension. It gave me What Kind of Paradise vibes and the writing style of Clemence Michallon. The story is told using dual timelines and is one of the rare novels where I found myself equally invested in both timelines. In the past, Catharine is being raised on a remote commune in Central Florida, where her father expects members to endure increasingly harsh conditions (fasting, weigh-ins, child labor) in an effort to “improve” themselves. And 10 years later, Catharine is trying to reinvent herself in New York despite years of trauma. Catharine’s trauma rears its head when a reporter finds her in the hope of telling her story. Revelations from her time at the commune are both shocking and expected. But I was floored by the ending which is left somewhat open to interpretation. Overall I would recommend this dark psychological thriller, especially to fans of cult stories. 4/5⭐️ (Anticipated pub date: 2/4/26)
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...
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.
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.
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.
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November 1, 2025Review TBD, but I feel so cool and lucky to have gotten to read an early copy!!! Everyone preorder this to support my favorite podcaster :)
November 6, 2025
I read this while my flight was delayed. Overall a good cult story and that ending 💯
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.
November 28, 2025
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 ties 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.
November 19, 2025
The premise of this book is interesting and propulsive, and even though I’m not sure the book was “for me,” I did look forward to picking it up and am glad I finished it.
First, what I appreciated: the dual timelines—of the main character’s present-day life alongside her childhood in a cult—are both compelling, and the tension builds steadily in each. The ending is unsettling in the best way and feels exactly right for the story; it was, for me, the strongest part of the book and made finishing it worthwhile.
Ultimately, this book helped me realize a few of my own reading preferences. I’ve learned that I don’t naturally gravitate toward most thrillers or mysteries; while I occasionally love one that transcends the genre (God of the Woods by Liz Moore, for example), I often find myself impatient with the hint-dropping, structural jumps, and deliberate withholding that are hallmarks of the form. I also realized that first-person present tense doesn’t always work for me—I tend to feel slightly outside the story rather than drawn into the narrator’s experience. None of this is a flaw of this book specifically; it simply highlighted the kinds of storytelling choices that don’t fully resonate with me as a reader.
Overall, if you enjoy stories where something is clearly amiss, where the narrator’s reliability is uncertain, and where the truth slowly comes into focus, I think this one will land well for you.
First, what I appreciated: the dual timelines—of the main character’s present-day life alongside her childhood in a cult—are both compelling, and the tension builds steadily in each. The ending is unsettling in the best way and feels exactly right for the story; it was, for me, the strongest part of the book and made finishing it worthwhile.
Ultimately, this book helped me realize a few of my own reading preferences. I’ve learned that I don’t naturally gravitate toward most thrillers or mysteries; while I occasionally love one that transcends the genre (God of the Woods by Liz Moore, for example), I often find myself impatient with the hint-dropping, structural jumps, and deliberate withholding that are hallmarks of the form. I also realized that first-person present tense doesn’t always work for me—I tend to feel slightly outside the story rather than drawn into the narrator’s experience. None of this is a flaw of this book specifically; it simply highlighted the kinds of storytelling choices that don’t fully resonate with me as a reader.
Overall, if you enjoy stories where something is clearly amiss, where the narrator’s reliability is uncertain, and where the truth slowly comes into focus, I think this one will land well for you.
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 12, 2025
4.5 stars rounded up. I am a big fan of Olivia Muenter and was so glad to get the chance to read an ARC of this book from Net Galley. The dual timeline melded together beautifully as the book went on, and I could not put it down. If you love literary fiction with some mild suspense, you will love this one! Once I was about 90 pages in I finished the rest in one sitting because I couldn’t stop!
December 7, 2025
I received an ARC from Little Brown and Company on NetGalley, this is my honest review.
I read Olivia Muenter’s first novel, Such a Bad Influence, and absolutely loved it, especially its sharp commentary on social media, curated living, and the pressure to monetize every corner of your life. It explored what it really means to live with an audience and how that level of performativity shapes how we see ourselves. So when I learned about the premise of her new novel, Little One, I immediately applied for an ARC.
What hooked me this time was how she explores wellness culture through a cult framework. It’s not flashy or dramatic, it’s familiar in a way that hits close to home. While the book is certainly about a cult, I see it as a much bigger exploration of the massive cultural wave of “wellness” that’s flooded our lives and is often sold to us as “health”, when so much of it is really about power, control, and influence. Muenter shows how ideas about purity, discipline, clean living, and self-optimization get framed as empowerment, especially for women, and how those messages settle into us quietly and stay for years.
The story follows Catharine West, who grew up on what looks like a wholesome, homesteading farm. As the layers peel back, you see how deeply control and obedience shaped her entire upbringing. She carries those beliefs into adulthood in subtle, painful ways, and Muenter handles that with so much nuance and care.
The dual timeline (“Then” and “Now”) works beautifully, slowly revealing how the past still shapes her present. It also raises important questions about how trust, community, and “guidance” can become tools of influence — sometimes without us realizing it.
Little One is atmospheric, unsettling, and deeply reflective. A quiet psychological slow burn that lingers long after you close the book. I really loved this one.
I read Olivia Muenter’s first novel, Such a Bad Influence, and absolutely loved it, especially its sharp commentary on social media, curated living, and the pressure to monetize every corner of your life. It explored what it really means to live with an audience and how that level of performativity shapes how we see ourselves. So when I learned about the premise of her new novel, Little One, I immediately applied for an ARC.
What hooked me this time was how she explores wellness culture through a cult framework. It’s not flashy or dramatic, it’s familiar in a way that hits close to home. While the book is certainly about a cult, I see it as a much bigger exploration of the massive cultural wave of “wellness” that’s flooded our lives and is often sold to us as “health”, when so much of it is really about power, control, and influence. Muenter shows how ideas about purity, discipline, clean living, and self-optimization get framed as empowerment, especially for women, and how those messages settle into us quietly and stay for years.
The story follows Catharine West, who grew up on what looks like a wholesome, homesteading farm. As the layers peel back, you see how deeply control and obedience shaped her entire upbringing. She carries those beliefs into adulthood in subtle, painful ways, and Muenter handles that with so much nuance and care.
The dual timeline (“Then” and “Now”) works beautifully, slowly revealing how the past still shapes her present. It also raises important questions about how trust, community, and “guidance” can become tools of influence — sometimes without us realizing it.
Little One is atmospheric, unsettling, and deeply reflective. A quiet psychological slow burn that lingers long after you close the book. I really loved this one.
November 10, 2025
Catharine West lives a very unassuming life, spending her days in the library, reading, researching. But behind her present day exterior, you realize there is more to her story than what she lets on. When Reese Campbell, a lauded journalist, shows up in her email inbox, you see the first inkling that Catharine may not have everything under control as she perceives she does. In her past life she grew up in a cult, one that involved working on a farm, home schooling, and week-long fasts used as a controlling mechanism. The cult's leader was Catharine's father. It's been years since she lived in that environment, and Reese knows more than he's letting on about her past life.
The author does a good job alternating the present day timeline of Catharine talking to Reese for an article that he is writing with the past timeline of Catherine's actual experience in the cult. Each chapter alternates and you get just enough of the past storyline to help you understand why Catharine is the way she is in the present day story, but also enough story to keep you turning the pages to learn more about what really happened in the cult. I thoroughly enjoyed the past storyline. The present day was perhaps too much of Catharine hiding information to build suspense.
The writing in this story was very descriptive and allowed the reader to feel fully immersed into Catharine's experience, especially in the past timeline. You weren't completely sure if she was naive or extremely intelligent regarding what was happening around her.
Thank you to Little, Brown and Company for the opportunity to read and review.
The author does a good job alternating the present day timeline of Catharine talking to Reese for an article that he is writing with the past timeline of Catherine's actual experience in the cult. Each chapter alternates and you get just enough of the past storyline to help you understand why Catharine is the way she is in the present day story, but also enough story to keep you turning the pages to learn more about what really happened in the cult. I thoroughly enjoyed the past storyline. The present day was perhaps too much of Catharine hiding information to build suspense.
The writing in this story was very descriptive and allowed the reader to feel fully immersed into Catharine's experience, especially in the past timeline. You weren't completely sure if she was naive or extremely intelligent regarding what was happening around her.
Thank you to Little, Brown and Company for the opportunity to read and review.
November 24, 2025
3.5 rounded up. I'm all in for a good cult story. This one is well written and has dynamic intrigue. Ultimately, the novel ended up being a bit quieter than I expected.
In Little One, we follow Catharine, who is navigating young adulthood in New York city when she is contacted by a journalist who wants to write a story about a small cult in central Florida - the cult led by Catharine's father & the one where she was raised. The story unfolds in dual timelines with present day Catharine navigating the unearthing of long-buried secrets (and trauma) and young Catharine navigating the deceptive and twisted world of her father's making. We get to explore relationships between Catharine and her mother, her adoptive sister and best friend, as well as her eccentric and menacing father.
Catharine was a compelling narrator and lead character. The descriptions of the farm were vivid and gave a true sense of place. The writing here is really strong. This lost a bit of momentum for me as we neared the 70% mark and had made almost no progress in one of the main mysteries. I also struggled to contextualize the journalist character, Reese, as his mannerisms and characterization seemed to evolve in ways that bordered on the unbelievable. This was an enjoyable and well crafted literary mystery for fans of Clemence Michallon.
Thank you to Little, Brown and Company and NetGalley for the eArc. This title is set to release February 3, 2026.
In Little One, we follow Catharine, who is navigating young adulthood in New York city when she is contacted by a journalist who wants to write a story about a small cult in central Florida - the cult led by Catharine's father & the one where she was raised. The story unfolds in dual timelines with present day Catharine navigating the unearthing of long-buried secrets (and trauma) and young Catharine navigating the deceptive and twisted world of her father's making. We get to explore relationships between Catharine and her mother, her adoptive sister and best friend, as well as her eccentric and menacing father.
Catharine was a compelling narrator and lead character. The descriptions of the farm were vivid and gave a true sense of place. The writing here is really strong. This lost a bit of momentum for me as we neared the 70% mark and had made almost no progress in one of the main mysteries. I also struggled to contextualize the journalist character, Reese, as his mannerisms and characterization seemed to evolve in ways that bordered on the unbelievable. This was an enjoyable and well crafted literary mystery for fans of Clemence Michallon.
Thank you to Little, Brown and Company and NetGalley for the eArc. This title is set to release February 3, 2026.
December 7, 2025
A well written and gripping story about a woman who grows up in a cult in Florida with her possessive father, only to be contacted years later by a reporter who wants information about what really happened to all it's inhabitants.
I think I would have liked this book better if it wasn't so much like another book I recently read, 'What kind of paradise' by Janelle Brown. Both have strong, domineering father figures, and no mother present.
Catherine grows up in a commune run by her charismatic father, under the utopian promise of community, wellness, and transformation. On the surface, it feels like an ideal upbringing with gardens, simplicity, and a shared purpose for all.
But as Catharine grows older, she sees dark undercurrents emerge. The commune’s control turns insidious especially surrounding standards, obedience, and loyalty. Eventually, she needs to escape.
Years later,living in New York and trying to forge a new identity, a journalist contacts her, asking probing questions about that “defunct cult.” Through a dual narrative, the novel reveals how her past shaped her, what she sacrificed to escape, and whether she can truly outrun the shadow of her upbringing.
The author does a great job with gradually unveiling the toxicity and secrets to build suspense effectively. This isn’t a horror-shock novel, but a slow-burn psychological thriller that lingers.
You're rooting for Catherine to leave the past behind, and will unveiling everything to this reporter be exactly what she needs?
I think I would have liked this book better if it wasn't so much like another book I recently read, 'What kind of paradise' by Janelle Brown. Both have strong, domineering father figures, and no mother present.
Catherine grows up in a commune run by her charismatic father, under the utopian promise of community, wellness, and transformation. On the surface, it feels like an ideal upbringing with gardens, simplicity, and a shared purpose for all.
But as Catharine grows older, she sees dark undercurrents emerge. The commune’s control turns insidious especially surrounding standards, obedience, and loyalty. Eventually, she needs to escape.
Years later,living in New York and trying to forge a new identity, a journalist contacts her, asking probing questions about that “defunct cult.” Through a dual narrative, the novel reveals how her past shaped her, what she sacrificed to escape, and whether she can truly outrun the shadow of her upbringing.
The author does a great job with gradually unveiling the toxicity and secrets to build suspense effectively. This isn’t a horror-shock novel, but a slow-burn psychological thriller that lingers.
You're rooting for Catherine to leave the past behind, and will unveiling everything to this reporter be exactly what she needs?
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Great, emotional, odd story.
Catharine 's father was one honest believer in what he was doing. Well, at least in the beginning! Her mother, I wasn't so sure about. The 'family" seemed to be more like a indentured prison. All of which Catharine was totally blind to as a child. Her father, had brainwashed her and she loved him so. She also loved the green, life of the farm and didn't want to leave. Ever. She also loved her adopted into the family sister, Linna. Those two together was so great to read about even when as Linna got older she began to question the b.s. of their father and his rules. A VERY dangerous thing indeed.
Libraries became her first best friend after she escaped "The Farm". They taught her how to live AND how to be alone. An interesting thought ! Her first human friend was a woman named Stella, who had no idea who her friend really was.
This story was SO well written and easy to slip right into the plot and the people. I liked how the author handled the, Then (farm life) and the Now.
Then Reese, the charming, handsome reporter explodes into her life. She no longer trusts men, and she doesn't trust him. He's picking at some of her very painful past and just won't let go. To be honest, I wasn't sure of his motives either. She reads him pretty well even though a few times he catches her off balance. All she wants to know is "Where is Linna?" I want to see Linna again ! Surprise after surprise happens!
It has a stunning Epilogue, that I didn't see coming
.I read this story through Netgalley.
Catharine 's father was one honest believer in what he was doing. Well, at least in the beginning! Her mother, I wasn't so sure about. The 'family" seemed to be more like a indentured prison. All of which Catharine was totally blind to as a child. Her father, had brainwashed her and she loved him so. She also loved the green, life of the farm and didn't want to leave. Ever. She also loved her adopted into the family sister, Linna. Those two together was so great to read about even when as Linna got older she began to question the b.s. of their father and his rules. A VERY dangerous thing indeed.
Libraries became her first best friend after she escaped "The Farm". They taught her how to live AND how to be alone. An interesting thought ! Her first human friend was a woman named Stella, who had no idea who her friend really was.
This story was SO well written and easy to slip right into the plot and the people. I liked how the author handled the, Then (farm life) and the Now.
Then Reese, the charming, handsome reporter explodes into her life. She no longer trusts men, and she doesn't trust him. He's picking at some of her very painful past and just won't let go. To be honest, I wasn't sure of his motives either. She reads him pretty well even though a few times he catches her off balance. All she wants to know is "Where is Linna?" I want to see Linna again ! Surprise after surprise happens!
It has a stunning Epilogue, that I didn't see coming
.I read this story through Netgalley.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Many thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
3.75 stars
In Little One, we follow Catharine, a young woman in NYC who has clearly reinvented herself after escaping a traumatic but mysterious childhood. All she's worked to build is threatened when a journalist finds her and begins digging into her past.
I felt like this book could've gone from good to great with some changes. It's told in dual timelines, which I really enjoy, but to get Catharines full story and be more invested, I needed both more and less from the past timeline. I needed more foundational information about how the community in which she was raised became what it was and more of what was happening behind the scenes. I felt as though what was focused on was more filler, and less of what the reader needed. Muenter does a great job of dealing with the psychology of control and psychological manipulation, which is even more dangerous within a family, especially for a child wanting to please her powerful parent. It was a propulsive read overall, and I loved the ending of the past timeline- it surprised me, which is rare.
In the future timeline, the only thing I didn't care for was an element of the relationship between Catharine and the journalist that seemed unnecessary and that felt awkward.
I feel that the more Muenter writes, the better she is going to get, and this will be a win for a lot of readers!
3.75 stars
In Little One, we follow Catharine, a young woman in NYC who has clearly reinvented herself after escaping a traumatic but mysterious childhood. All she's worked to build is threatened when a journalist finds her and begins digging into her past.
I felt like this book could've gone from good to great with some changes. It's told in dual timelines, which I really enjoy, but to get Catharines full story and be more invested, I needed both more and less from the past timeline. I needed more foundational information about how the community in which she was raised became what it was and more of what was happening behind the scenes. I felt as though what was focused on was more filler, and less of what the reader needed. Muenter does a great job of dealing with the psychology of control and psychological manipulation, which is even more dangerous within a family, especially for a child wanting to please her powerful parent. It was a propulsive read overall, and I loved the ending of the past timeline- it surprised me, which is rare.
In the future timeline, the only thing I didn't care for was an element of the relationship between Catharine and the journalist that seemed unnecessary and that felt awkward.
I feel that the more Muenter writes, the better she is going to get, and this will be a win for a lot of readers!
November 13, 2025
Who doesn't love a good book about cults? Not only does Olivia Muenter's fictional account of a cult in Florida spin some believable (and hated) characters, her plot keeps us on the edge of our seat.
The story opens with Catharine, daughter of a cult leader, picking up a cake to celebrate her tenth anniversary of "breaking free." Catharine is still fighting many demons from her cult upbringing though, and ends up throwing the cake in the garbage can. Everyone knows the usual mantra though - it wasn't really a cult...right.
Enter Reese - a good looking twenty something, investigative reporter who has suddenly gotten a lead on the previous Floridian based cult and wants to interview Catharine. Wait...Catharine thought there was no one left to uncover her previous life, thought her identity was safe.
Stick with this ride as Reese wants to interview Catharine, possibly do a podcast, possibly a Netflix docu-series. Just wait for the twists to emerge. Things are not always what they seem.
I would like to thank NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for this gripping ARC. It truly had me on pins and needles. Little One drops February 3rd. Intrigued by the cult phenomenon? Grab this one.
The story opens with Catharine, daughter of a cult leader, picking up a cake to celebrate her tenth anniversary of "breaking free." Catharine is still fighting many demons from her cult upbringing though, and ends up throwing the cake in the garbage can. Everyone knows the usual mantra though - it wasn't really a cult...right.
Enter Reese - a good looking twenty something, investigative reporter who has suddenly gotten a lead on the previous Floridian based cult and wants to interview Catharine. Wait...Catharine thought there was no one left to uncover her previous life, thought her identity was safe.
Stick with this ride as Reese wants to interview Catharine, possibly do a podcast, possibly a Netflix docu-series. Just wait for the twists to emerge. Things are not always what they seem.
I would like to thank NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for this gripping ARC. It truly had me on pins and needles. Little One drops February 3rd. Intrigued by the cult phenomenon? Grab this one.
December 9, 2025
The way some would tell it, Catharine had an ideal childhood. Living on a family farm, running through the sun and light. As she got older however, she began to see that this like was maybe not as wonderful as she thought. It’s been a decade since she left the farm behind and has been happy leaving it there until a pushy journalist continues to hound her. If he can help her find the one person she misses though, maybe it will be worth it to let him in?
Olivia! Muenter! Holy goodness girl! I loved Such A Bad Influence, but damn if this one wasn’t even more amazing! This was a true genre mash up, and I just loved very second. This book had so many little twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat, and I just wanted to know more. I adored the dual timeline of the story, it did such a great job of keeping me questioning and fully engrossed while reading. Add in some truly complicated, lovable, and sometimes hatable characters and it’s chefs kiss! I know Olivia has talked about how this book is insanely close to her heart, which made me slightly nervous to read, but I am so glad to say that I loved it! Oh and Olivia is the book ending queen, and that’s all I will say on that!
Thank you to @littlebrown for my gifted copy of this book!
Olivia! Muenter! Holy goodness girl! I loved Such A Bad Influence, but damn if this one wasn’t even more amazing! This was a true genre mash up, and I just loved very second. This book had so many little twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat, and I just wanted to know more. I adored the dual timeline of the story, it did such a great job of keeping me questioning and fully engrossed while reading. Add in some truly complicated, lovable, and sometimes hatable characters and it’s chefs kiss! I know Olivia has talked about how this book is insanely close to her heart, which made me slightly nervous to read, but I am so glad to say that I loved it! Oh and Olivia is the book ending queen, and that’s all I will say on that!
Thank you to @littlebrown for my gifted copy of this book!
September 30, 2025
Little One is a perfect title for a story about a child living in a cult. Today, Catharine West lives a typical aspirational life in New York. She has found out how to brand everything that comes her way. Catharine can do copywriting, appearances in the Hamptons, and walk down the street looking like she has it all. In reality, Catharine is trying to keep her past a secret, not wanting anyone to know that she spent many years in Florida, part of a cult her father established. When a journalist reaches out, the novel kicks into a cat and mouse chase. Catharine wants something and only by having contact with Reese, the journalist, can she have hope of getting answers to her questions. It is difficult not to feel empathy for the character while propelled to read the book in one sitting. I had to have answers to many questions, as well. This new story by Olivia Muenter is a complex and interesting read. I'm sure it will be a hit when it is published!
Thank you to Olivia Muenter and Little, Brown and Company via NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. The novel will be published on February 3, 2026.
Thank you to Olivia Muenter and Little, Brown and Company via NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. The novel will be published on February 3, 2026.
November 11, 2025
Cult novels are always a challenge. What we imagine when we hear “cult” is often far more lurid than what realistically happens: idealistic community living, financial struggles, and a leader exerting control—especially over women’s bodies. Little One doesn’t stray far from that formula, but it does fill out the world with surprising acuity.
Olivia Muenter is a talented writer and this book is a solid character‑study wrapped in tension. The story follows Catharine, daughter of a charismatic cult leader, as she attempts to reinvent her life—until a journalist starts pulling at her past. The slow‑burn does its work while Catharine warms (…ish) to investigative Reese, though the power dynamics keep shifting; she never gives up full control of what she’ll reveal.
It’s not perfect: if you’re expecting wild cult drama, supernatural elements, or explosive actions, you might find this story muted. But if you appreciate intimate psychological tension, the shadow‑lands of community and identity, and characters who don’t simply spill their trauma but live it quietly, this one will work for you.
Olivia Muenter is a talented writer and this book is a solid character‑study wrapped in tension. The story follows Catharine, daughter of a charismatic cult leader, as she attempts to reinvent her life—until a journalist starts pulling at her past. The slow‑burn does its work while Catharine warms (…ish) to investigative Reese, though the power dynamics keep shifting; she never gives up full control of what she’ll reveal.
It’s not perfect: if you’re expecting wild cult drama, supernatural elements, or explosive actions, you might find this story muted. But if you appreciate intimate psychological tension, the shadow‑lands of community and identity, and characters who don’t simply spill their trauma but live it quietly, this one will work for you.
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