The One (Expanded Edition): A Dark Future Novel

by John Marrs

***NOW WITH BONUS CONTENT!***
***Over 1M Copies Sold!***
The USA Today bestseller
A Wall Street Journal Best Science Fiction Book of 2018

"A mind blowing journey with nonstop thrills until the very last page."—Freida McFadden

“A shock on every other page.” —Wall Street Journal

A thrilling speculative novel for fans of Severance, Silo, and Dark Matter

How far would you go to find The One ?

A simple DNA test is all it takes. Just a quick mouth swab and soon you’ll be matched with your perfect partner—the one you’re genetically made for.

That’s the promise made by Match Your DNA. A decade ago, the company announced that they had found the gene that pairs each of us with our soul mate. Since then, millions of people around the world have been matched. But the discovery has its test results have led to the breakup of countless relationships and upended the traditional ideas of dating, romance and love.

Now five very different people have received the notification that they’ve been “Matched.” They’re each about to meet their one true love. But “happily ever after” isn’t guaranteed for everyone. Because even soul mates have secrets. And some are more shocking than others…

The nationally bestselling first book in the Dark Future series, The One is a fascinating novel that shows how even the simplest discoveries can have complicated consequences.

Don't miss other suspenseful reads from John Marrs and the Dark Future series (you'll never see the twists coming!): The Marriage Act The Vacation The Family Experiment

Kindle Edition

Expected publication April 28, 2026

About the author

John Marrs is an internationally bestselling author of psychological thrillers and speculative fiction. Before becoming a full‑time writer, he spent more than two decades as a freelance journalist interviewing celebrities for national publications.

He self‑published his early novels while commuting to work, building a passionate readership through social media that helped attract Amazon Publishing and Penguin Random House.

His breakout book, The One, became a No. 1 Netflix series, has sold over a million copies, and is published in 35 languages. His other bestselling titles include The Good Samaritan, What Lies Between Us, The Passengers, The Marriage Act, and The Stranger in Her House.

John continues to explore the darker sides of human nature across both genres. His next thriller, Dead In The Water, publishes in January 2026.

You can subscribe to his newsletter at JohnMarrsAuthor.com.

Reviews

[Pamela Jo Mason · Rating 4 out of 5]

John Marrs is such a twisted writer ... In the best way. He takes something so beautiful, like being able to know who your soulmate is, making the pain of failed relationships a thing of the past. But then he throws in all these curve balls and people's lives are still thrown into an unbelievable (yet believable) turmoil. I really like John Marrs (okay, I may be a tad bit twisted myself, LOL).

[Rachel McCurtain · Rating 4 out of 5]

Scary and thought-provoking are the two best words to describe this book. So many lives affected by a gene. How much of this is true? I loved the different perspectives and the twists that happened in all their lives. This kept me on my toes.

[Mallory Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing. Brilliant. Loved it.

[Cassie Walton · Rating 1 out of 5]

Probably the longest it’s taken me to finish a book in a long time. Just could not keep me interested.

[Keisha Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

interesting! I really enjoyed this, all the different stories and possibilities.. makes you wonder what you would do!? and then BAM twist!

[Jo Kistner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this book. The narrators are different for each set of couples. One narrator is kinda lame but overall worth the listen. Would recommend!

[Casey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!
Would recommend!

[Kelda Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kept me guessing!

[Jalyssa Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely keeps you on your toes! The ending didn’t do it for me like I’d like it to but still highly recommend!

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Wonderful twists.

[Kasi Raubolt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I have read from this author an I’m excited to read more. The twists and turns were unpredictable and the character build kept me interested.

[Victoria Chavez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alright, let's dive into the twisted world of "The One" by John Marrs. This isn't your typical love story; it's a dark, thought-provoking exploration of modern relationships in a world where finding your perfect match is as simple as a DNA test. Marrs takes the concept of soulmates and turns it on its head, creating a narrative that is both captivating and deeply unsettling.

The premise is simple: a DNA test can find your perfect genetic match, "the one." But what happens when your perfect match isn't who you expected? Or when finding "the one" leads to unforeseen consequences? Marrs masterfully weaves together multiple storylines, each exploring the implications of this technology in different and often disturbing ways.

"The One" is a gripping, suspenseful read that will leave you questioning the very nature of love and destiny. If you're looking for a book that will keep you on the edge of your seat and spark some serious conversations, this one is definitely worth picking up. Just be prepared to rethink everything you thought you knew about finding your soulmate.