One Little Mistake

by Miranda Rijks

Some thoughts should never be shared.

Kate thought the spreadsheet was harmless—a private ranking of her four best friends detailing their various strengths and weaknesses. But when it leaks online and goes viral, her carefully curated life implodes.

Social invitations vanish, her business crumbles, even her marriage starts to fall apart. It’s as if the silken thread that has been holding everything together has been pulled and now it’s all unravelling.

And it gets worse. Someone on the list seems to be out for revenge, determined to destroy whatever is left of Kate’s perfect life. As anonymous threats multiply and her son falls mysteriously ill, Kate doesn’t know where to turn or who to trust.

Then, as the fallout from the list turns deadly, she finally understands that her one little mistake could cost her everything – including her life.

One Little Mistake - the chilling psychological thriller from the best-selling author of The Visitors and Make Her Pay.

Genres: Thriller, Fiction, Suspense, Mystery, Psychological Thriller, Mystery Thriller

286 pages, ebook

First published November 9, 2025

About the author

Miranda Rijks is the author of 26 psychological thrillers, many of which have been Amazon bestsellers. She lives in Sussex, England with her Dutch husband and black Labrador.

Her fast-paced, twisty thrillers are inspired by scary things that have happened to her or places she has visited.

Miranda turned to writing after recovering from Ewing's Sarcoma, a rare bone cancer. She's so grateful that she's now a full-time author and living the dream!

Visit www.mirandarijks.com to get her FREE novella, The Cheat, and the chance to name characters in her books.

Reviews

[chantalsbookstuff · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book starts off with Kate’s spreadsheet where she ranked her friends getting leaked. Naturally, her friends hate her. But this book weaves a much deeper story, and a lot of events follow, making it a really interesting and gripping read. The spreadsheet is just the beginning, and yes, it ends up being the center of everything that unfolds after, but it truly has a much deeper plot line. The characters are not meant to be loved with the nature of this story, but they did alright. It’s really hard to leave me disappointed with a Rijks book, and this one did deliver. Thank you NetGalley and Inkubator Books for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kate Pederson has an amazing group of friends, a loving husband, gorgeous children and her business is doing well, so for Kate life is good. But when a list gets leaked onto the internet her friends start to ignore her and want nothing to do with her and her husband, Jared is furious with Kate for letting this happen. Kate tries to explain to her husband that she has no idea how this happened as the list she created was for her eyes only. Kate believes someone has hacked into her laptop or that someone has been in their home and found it under the bed and taken photographs of it.

In the early hours of the morning when Kate can’t sleep she goes through the people who have access to their home such as the cleaner or the person who occasionally looks after their children, but in her heart, she knows these people are not responsible for leaking her list online. Kate is desperate to find out who is responsible because, with each passing day, her world is crumbling, and it’s not only affecting her friendships but also her marriage and her business.

One Little Mistake by Miranda Rijks is an addictive psychological thriller with cleverly written twists that will leave you speechless. Highly recommended.
With thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for my digital copy to read and review.

[Tonya · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Keep your friends close and your enemies closer,” is something that needs to be considered in One Little Mistake. Kate’s friend ranking spreadsheet has been leaked, sparking chaos and regret. If only Kate could undo that initial mistake of creating the damaging spreadsheet. Fallout from the reveal triggers catastrophic events, some deadly. I could not stop reading this twisted tale of toxic relationships and scandalous secrets. The story is original, unpredictable, and had me on the edge of my seat. The jaw-dropping conclusion was shocking and satisfying. Miranda Rijks once again creates a nail-biting thriller that I highly recommend. Thank you Inkubator Books and Booksprout for my ARC. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐.

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

My third read by Miranda Rijks and I have thoroughly enjoyed all 3! This one had so many twists & turns as the layers to this domestic thriller unfolded. That absolutely not a single person that could be trusted in this story. When Kate makes a huge mistake, some may feel this taken out of context and others may feel it was a huge act of betrayal. Either way, your heart will go out to Kate because one little mistake, truly did set off a chain of events that she could not have foreseen.

Some of these mysterious characters, were smoothly thrown into the twists - yet I didn’t even realize they were involved. Especially in the last quarter of the book, the acts of betrayal were like the energizer bunny, and kept going and going and going. Enjoyable domestic thriller that I enjoy and would recommend, & I’ll definitely be reading more by Miranda.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Mandy White (mandylovestoread) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another page turner from a fabulous thriller author. Miranda Rijks always delivers with twists no unlikeable characters and One Little Mistake was no different. Devouring it in 2 sittings, I could see this being a movie. A great way to spend a lazy afternoon, realising maybe your life isn’t so bad after all.

Kate is mortified when her spreadsheet ranking her best friends is leaked and goes viral. I mean who does that! Her life is turned upside down with people turning against her in all areas of her life. But it turns out that she didn’t really know the people in her life that week at all.

A story that proves that nobody’s life is what it seems from the outside, everyone has secrets. Choose your friends carefully. Kate made some terrible choices but she was treated so badly, and that husband of hers was a tool!

Thanks so much to Miranda and Inkubator Books for my early copy of this book to read. Published on. November 9th.

[Julie (JuJu) · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW - ONE LITTLE MISTAKE by Miranda Rijks
5 STARS - OUT 11/9/2025

There's a special thrill when a new Miranda Rijks ARC lands in my inbox. The covers hint at secrets, and the stories never disappoint. “One Little Mistake” is adrenaline for thrill-seekers. One “oops” can set your life on fire, and I loved watching it go up in flames.

It all starts with a spreadsheet. A harmless ranking of her friends. Really? Am I weird for never even considering doing something like this? Someone finds her list (you’ll never guess who 😲), makes it public, and it spreads like wildfire. Her friends are angry, even the one at the top of the list! The fallout is juicy and entertaining. Despite her bad choices, Kate is loyal, vulnerable, and determined, even though she's married to a self-absorbed jerk.

Kate’s poor judgment is painfully relatable. She’s quick to take responsibility, fueled by anxiety but determined to fix her mistakes. Who hasn’t wanted an undo button? You can feel her world closing in. This isn’t just a whodunit; it’s a trust fall with no one to catch you. It’s tough to watch everyone turn on her, even as she apologizes profusely for her actions.

Miranda Rijks is the Beyoncé of thrillers and never misses a beat. “One Little Mistake” hits with extra sparkle and goes in a direction I didn’t see coming. It’s clever, twisty, and addictive. Five stars without question.

Thanks to Miranda Rijks for the opportunity to read and review her latest ARC. All opinions are my own.

#OneLittleMistake #MirandaRijk #InkubatorBooks #Thriller #CapCut

[Jannelies (there is no hope anymore) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kate is an interesting character with some flaws but in her heart she's a good person. Hardworking and a good mother to her children, loving her husband and loyal to her friends.
And then everything goes wrong and she has to reinvent herself completely.

Interesting bunch of characters and a good eye for settings and twists make this (again) a lovely book from Miranda Rijks.

[Susan Z (webreakforbooks) · Rating 5 out of 5]

One Little Mistake definitely gave me Desperate Housewives vibes. Catty middle aged women gossiping about and betraying their so called friends.

It was so entertaining, full of some shocking surprises. A bingeable popcorn thriller, full of juicy betrayal.

[Melody McNamara · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was my first book by this author and it was just ok. The premise of a spreadsheet rating friends seemed a bit juvenile and the list itself really had little to do with what later transpired. The characters were all unlikeable and the idea that these "best friends" would be so deceitful and back-stabbing seemed unrealistic to me Buried secrets and betrayals were brought to light, but the twists were eye-rolling. An easy read, but underwhelming. Other readers liked this book more than I did, so check out other reviews.

[Pamela · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would like to thank Inkubator books and Miranda Rijks for an ARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

3,75 round up to 4⭐ How much can you trust the people you call friends? When a private spreadsheet ranking her best friends leaks online, Kate's perfect life seem to take a nosedive. Gone are the social events, her business suffers and even her marriage starts to get sour.

What started off as a harmless spreadsheet turns out dangerous soon, with anonymous threats against Kate's son and one of her ranked best friends being attacked - who can Kate trust?

This is my first Miranda Rijks book and it didn't disappoint. I wanted to know how was behind the threats and who leaked the spreadsheet in the first place. the story has loads of twists at times a bit predictable but very enjoyable!

[Celeste Velocci (bookrecs_by_celeste) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Most of this authors work is a hit for me but unfortunately this one was a miss. It just seemed kind of silly to me the entire time that adults were acting this way. I also did not connect with the characters at all. Some positives are that it’s a fast paced popcorn thriller available on kindle unlimited that I think newer to the thriller genre readers will enjoy.

[Samhitha Reddy · Rating 5 out of 5]

One Little Mistake was such a fast, addictive read! I loved how a single decision spiraled into so much chaos — it really kept me hooked till the end. The characters felt real, and I could almost feel the tension building with every chapter. A few twists were a bit predictable, but it didn’t take away from the suspense. Definitely a solid, binge-worthy thriller I’d recommend.
Thank you to NetGalley and Miranda Rijks for sharing this ARC with me.

[Ⓢ Ⓨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kate Pendersen creates a private ranking of her closest friends, which somehow gets leaked to social media, setting off an unbelievable chain of awful events in her life. Who can she trust? And who is out to get her?

I enjoyed this. A quick and easy to read girly thriller with a few little twists and turns. Full of unlikeable characters and a real trust no one vibe.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Inkubator Books for my advanced copy.

[Jackie]

I absolutely love Miranda Rijks but this one didn’t work for me. Its premise was too simple and immature for me. Still looking forward to reading more by her. This one just missed the mark.

[Supriya K · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Some thoughts should never be shared"

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

One Little Mistake by @mirandarijksauthor
Publisher: Inkubator Books
Pub Date: November 9, 2025
General Fiction (Adult) | Mystery & Thrillers

My Thoughts: 😁
I was supposed to rest the doctor’s orders, mom’s strict warning. But the moment I saw One Little Mistake by my favorite author, I couldn’t resist. So there I was, at midnight, phone brightness low, heart racing, and I devoured the entire thing in 7 hours straight.

This isn’t just fast-paced, it’s express-paced chaos wrapped in secrets, betrayal, and tension so thick you’ll forget to breathe. Every chapter hit like a shockwave. My heart was pounding, my jaw clenched, and I kept whispering, “Kate, what have you done?”

Kate’s one small mistake tears her entire life apart. Watching her spiral, ambushed by friends, family, and fate itself, was infuriating, terrifying, and addictive. She’s flawed, impulsive, stubborn, and sometimes her own worst enemy, but that’s exactly what makes her unforgettable.

And those around her Jared, Stella, Dakota, Erin, Albie, Lucia each one hides something, each one adds another layer of danger. Albie completely stole my heart 💖, while Jared… don’t even get me started 😤 I hated him with every page.

By the end, I wasn’t just reading, I was living inside the chaos. The twists left me frozen, speechless, and weirdly thankful that I don’t have any friends in real life 😬

A masterpiece of tension and betrayal this is Miranda Rijks at her absolute best.

Rec: If you crave jaw-dropping twists, nerve-breaking tension, and a story that’ll keep you awake all night this one’s calling your name! 😱📖
Add this book to your list it’s coming on November 9th. 🗓️

Thank you @netgalley and @inkubatorbooks


#OneLittleMistake #MirandaRijks #NetGalley #PsychologicalThriller #ThrillerReads #Bookstagram #TBR #BookLovers

[VDKeck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Y’all! This is exactly the kind of thriller that makes you clutch your phone a little tighter and rethink every group chat you’ve ever been in. Listen… when I tell you this book hooked me by the hair in chapter one and dragged me through the chaos? Whew. 😮‍💨🔥

Kate’s life is basically Pinterest-perfect—until her “harmless” (👀) little spreadsheet ranking her four best friends leaks online and goes full viral kaboom. And the fallout? It’s like watching a silk blouse snag on a nail and just… riiiiip. Friendships combust. Her business tanks. Her marriage starts teetering like a Jenga tower missing the entire bottom row. Even her sweet kiddo ends up mysteriously sick, and suddenly it’s clear somebody wants Kate not just canceled… but crushed.

Rijks writes with this delicious, shivery tension—like you can smell the cold rain on the air every time Kate steps outside, or hear the sharp crack of her perfect little world fracturing piece by piece. The pacing? Chef’s kiss. Fast, sharp, and full of little OMG breadcrumbs you swear you’ve figured out… until she yanks the rug and you’re on the floor questioning everything. (Rijks: 1, Me: 0.)

And the characters? Messy in the BEST way. I loved how each friend had their own glittery veneer hiding a darker grit underneath. Nobody is entirely innocent, and that makes the unraveling feel so real.

Short, sharp, twisty, and addictive, One Little Mistake is like stepping into a gossip hurricane with a thriller blade hidden inside. I tore through it.

If you want a fast, smart, bingeable thriller with icy tension, secrets with teeth, and that delicious “who do I trust?” paranoia… this is your next read. 💁‍♀️📚✨.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Daniella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher for the ARC of this deliciously messy thriller.

This book had me glued to the pages like I was the nosy neighbor peeking through the curtains with binoculars and a bottle of wine. What starts as one little leaked spreadsheet turns into a full-blown disaster spiral that includes friend group implosions, mom-group exile, toxic secrets, marriage meltdowns, murder, and more twists than a soap opera on espresso.

I devoured this in under two days. I needed to know who was behind the threats, who was sleeping with whom, and whether anyone would survive the wrath of scorned women with passive-aggressive group chats and actual golf clubs. The pacing? Fast. The drama? Chaotic in the best way. The characters? Messy, mean, and maddeningly real.

And then there’s a moment involving a saucepan that deserves its own Goodreads shelf. You’ll know it when you get there.

This is not your average suburban thriller. It’s a cautionary tale for anyone tempted to rate their friends in a spreadsheet. Don’t do it. Especially if you have a teenage son with access to a printer and zero chill.

Five stars for the ride. I’m exhausted. I’m emotionally unwell. I loved every second of it.

[Jayne Burnett · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a twisty, gripping psychological thriller which will have you hooked from page one.
Kate, the protagonist, is a lover of spreadsheets, she creates a list ranking her close friends, giving them scores for different personality traits. Obviously the list was for herself, how then has it been leaked to the public and all over social media? Kate is mortified, her friends are giving her the cold shoulder, they feel betrayed by her.
Her business is affected, her husband has lost a very lucrative deal as a result of the embarrassing list.
Kate’s perfect life is falling apart, she is a pariah at the school gates, her daughter is uninvited to a birthday party, Kate is unwelcome at social events, her business is affected, her marriage is showing cracks, she has received anonymous threatening text message, she has no one to turn to.
As the story unfolds the tension builds, one of her close friends is dead, and Kate saw her husband leaving her friends house, why did he not call for help? Did he harm her friend? Are these woman she’s been friends with all her adult life really her friends?
This is a gripping intense 5 star read about trust and betrayal, it has lots of clever twists to keep the reader guessing.
This is my 3rd book by this author and I look forward to reading more.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Inkubator Books for an ARC of this book in exchange for a review.

[Regina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phew! This was one nerve-wracking, rollercoaster ride! I don't think I've ever despised so many characters at once. These people were truly despicable with their secrets and lies, but what was even more appalling were their self-absorbed beliefs in justifying this horrible behavior. With that being said, I was completely addicted to the crazy and couldn't put this book down. I thought I knew where the story was leading at one point, then Rijks pulled out plot twist after plot twist so fast that my head was spinning. My goodness! This high tension, page turner truly defines the meaning of psychological thriller. Loved it! Would definitely recommend!

Thank you to Inkubator Books for granting me a digital ARC via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review!

[Tina A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Miranda Rijks is an author not to be underestimated! In One Little Mistake, she delivers an immensely surprising, ensnaring read that did a rare thing—made me finish it within 24 hours!

There’s no mistaking what you’ll get, because its original premise and intricate plotting suit the title perfectly. After a seemingly harmless list is leaked online and snowballs into a viral public uproar, loyalty is tested amongst best friends. And the one person who should have been the most supportive is anything but. Each character's behavior is suspect in this unpredictable, high-tension read.

***I received an advance reader copy from Inkubator Books via Booksprout. All opinions expressed are my own.***

[Tiffany Schulz · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC copy of one of the best thrillers I’ve read this year. Very easy to read, not overly done but yet I became instantly invested in these characters.
Kate makes one little mistake that causes catastrophic events to shift her life We see how mistakes we all make can affect our friendships , relationships, children, and strangers. How we are so easily judged in this society
Some mistakes become permanent as well.
The story twists in ways I didn’t expect, but greatly enjoyed.

A quick paced novel where you don’t even feel like you’re reading, good character build without being overly wordy. A great enjoyment to read.

[Miranda Rijks]

Dear Reader,

I rated my friends. They found out. My life imploded…

Well, not really. Obviously! Because I love my friends. But this is what happened to Kate in ONE LITTLE MISTAKE.

If you’ve ever hit send by mistake, you’ll know that awful sinking feeling. And if you love reading about toxic friendships, then this one is for you.

It’s a book that will:

- Take you on a wild, addictive ride
- Make your heart pound
- Get you gasping out aloud at the twisted twists
- And have you screaming at the truly horrible characters.

As I wrote ‘the end’ my heart bled for Kate.

I'm so excited for you to read ONE LITTLE MISTAKE and hope you'll enjoy the book as much as I loved writing it. It's available as an e-book, paperback, hardback and is in Kindle Unlimited.

Thank you so much to all the book bloggers and early reviewers who have shown so much love for this book. ❤️ I hope you love it too!

Miranda x

[Michele Wacek · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was really a crazy psych thriller. Just...crazy. One of those books you finish and think "what did I just read?" But if you like books like that, you should definitely check this one out.

[Lu thrillskillsandchills · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anyone who remembers curating their MySpace Top 8 will instantly get why this premise is so deliciously disastrous.

Kate makes a private spreadsheet ranking her friends — just for herself. Until it leaks online. The fallout is instant: friendships implode, her business takes a hit, and the situation quickly shifts from embarrassing to dangerous.

Every character has their own secrets, and just when you think the twists have finished, another comes along. The pacing is sharp, the tension never lets up, and the story stays gripping from start to finish.

This was my first Miranda Rijks read — and it definitely won’t be my last.

[Shauntelle (shauntellereads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rijks is now an auto-read author for me! Kate really thought she was minding her business when she made a private little spreadsheet ranking her four best friends. Strengths, weaknesses, the whole messy truth. It was supposed to stay between her and her laptop. Then someone leaks it online and the thing spreads like gossip at a PTA meeting. Her Pinterest perfect world? Gone. Friendships? Cracking apart. Business? Tanking. Even her kid ends up sick. Somebody clearly wants Kate crushed, and they came prepared.

The premise alone had me hooked. A friend ranking spreadsheet going viral and blowing up an entire life is so wild, so specific, and so fresh that I knew the chaos would be premium. And the author delivers. This story never plays it safe, and the fallout is the kind that makes you lean closer to the page like you are eavesdropping.

The book grabbed me from chapter one. I opened it thinking I would read a few pages, and suddenly I was fifty pages in with my jaw clenched and whispering “girl, no” every few minutes. The tension stays icy the whole time. The pacing is fast, sharp, and full of twists I swore I had solved until the author snatched the solution away and left me blinking at the ceiling.

The friend group drama is delicious. Every woman comes with her own secrets and glittery veneers hiding darker grit underneath. Nobody is innocent, which makes the unraveling feel even more real. Watching Kate spiral, panic, rebuild, panic again, and still try to fix her mistakes made her unforgettable.

This felt like stepping straight into a high stakes gossip hurricane where loyalty is flexible and every chapter tightens the vise. I tore through it in one sitting.

If you are craving a bingeable psychological thriller with a truly unique setup, messy friendships, icy tension, and that addictive “who can I trust” paranoia, this one is calling your name.

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whenever I'm asked for a list of auto-buy authors, Miranda Rijks is always at the top of the list! She's my go-to palate cleanser :-)

This book is a cautionary tale about what happens when petty mean-girl activities take on a life of their own. There are so many layers that even Kate, the author of a spreadsheet ranking her friends, can't figure out who has released her private thoughts. Or why someone is sending her threatening text messages. Or who's following her in the black SUV.

Did I mention her marital relationship? Oh yeah. Not so good. Jared is not supportive when Kate is iced out by her friends, the moms at school, and even her business clients. But Karma has a way of striking back. And that's where Miranda Rijks shines.

If you love a good thriller with lots of twists and turns, you can't go wrong with One Little Mistake (see what I did there ;-)

Thanks to Booksprout, the author, and Inkubator Books for an advanced reader's copy.

[Susan Belman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always get excited when I see a new Miranda Rijks release. This one wasn’t my absolute favorite of hers, but I still really enjoyed it. The mystery was intense—I found myself thinking about the story even when I wasn’t reading.
It’s one of those plots that makes you think, oh no, this can’t end well—and I had to keep reading. A harmless little spreadsheet meant just for Kate’s eyes goes viral, and from there, everything in her carefully controlled life starts to crumble. Her friendships, her marriage, even her reputation—nothing is safe.
I thought I had it all figured out, but I didn’t! The final reveal wasn’t my favorite, though I did laugh at one moment near the end. Overall, a solid, fast-paced thriller with great tension and plenty of drama—just maybe not the strongest twist from Rijks this time.

[Suzanne Lopes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good morning Goodreads, hope everyone had a great thanksgiving. Well, I gave the book 4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I found the book really good. I just randomly picked this book. It was published recently from what I read. The title of this book is exactly what the book is about. You know how when you read a book you tend to think that you know exactly who the culprit is but I was wrong on this one. Kate Penderson is the main character of the book but her husband Jordan is a big jerk. I can’t curse but I can think of several bad words to describe him. Anyway, it was a good book 📖 Well this is my 58th book 📕 that I have read. I surpassed my reading challenge and I’m trying to read 60 books 📚 My next year of 2026 reading challenge, I think I will do 65 books.. 😊 I think I can do it. Well, see you at my next review…..

[Kimmy C · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s one thing to do a spreadsheet ranking your friends on their various qualities, it’s another thing to have this released into the public arena. This is the situation facing Kate, when what she thought was private was leaked, with ever increasing circles of reaction to it. She’s shunned at the school gates, party invitations for her kids are withdrawn, her husband loses a major contract, and then that’s when life really starts unravelling.
This solid, never know who to trust, domestic thriller does keep the reader guessing, and you begin to wonder who is responsible for any or all of the events facing Kate - with the obvious knowledge of Kate’s hand in her own fate.

[Laurel Nothel · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5! A suburban wife/mom Kat writes an excel list ranking her friends in all categories you can imagine. The list gets leaked to the town/schools etc and she has no idea how it got leaked. Fast forward one of the friends Dakota on the list ends up dead and it makes no sense. Kate’s husband is accused of murdering Dakota because he secretly slept with her and her blood was on his golf clubs. Fast extra forward it really turns out that Kate’s best friend Stella was sleeping with her husband for years, full affair. Stella found out Jared (Kate’s husband) was fooling around on her with Dakota and Stella killed Dakota. So the killing had nothing to do with the ranking list, that’s what the initial thought was. The book was good but not great so 3.5!