The Wonder of One: A Novel

by Suzanne Redfearn

From the #1 Amazon bestselling author of In an Instant comes an inspirational coming-of-age story about one extraordinary girl’s determination to chase a dream.

Vivien Kendall has always been different. Born with a birthmark covering much of her face, she’s been bullied, ridiculed, and mistreated as a child. But at the age of six, Vivien learns that in each of us there burns a spirit flame—a deep belief in oneself that must be nurtured and never allowed to go out.

Living by that wisdom and through the enduring friendships of her nanny, her mentor, and the legend who eventually becomes her coach, she chases her dream to someday become the greatest figure skater in the world.

Along the way, she faces a rapidly evolving world full of modern prejudice and injustice. She falls in love, has her heart broken, learns what it means to win or lose, and discovers the wonder of one, the power within each of us to change things.

Genres: Fiction, Coming Of Age, Audiobook, Friendship, Family

340 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 15, 2026

About the author

Suzanne Redfearn is the award-winning author of Six novels: Hush Little Baby, No Ordinary Life, In an Instant, and Hadley & Grace, Moment in Time, and Where Butterflies Wander. In addition to being an author, she’s also an architect specializing in residential and commercial design. She lives in Laguna Beach, California, where she and her husband own two restaurants: Lumberyard and Slice Pizza and Beer. You can find her at her website, www.SuzanneRedfearn.com, on Facebook at SuzanneRedfearnAuthor, or on Instagram at SuzanneRedfearn.

Reviews

[Shelley's Book Nook]

My Reviews Can Also Be Found On:
The Book Review Crew Blog


⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Wonder of One
Suzanne Redfearn
Publication Date: September 15th, 2026
Lake Union Publishing
381 Pages
Amazon | Bookshop.org
Genre: General Fiction | Women's Fiction

This was such an emotional coming-of-age story. Vivien is a young girl born with a birthmark on her face who has to deal with bullying and prejudice because of it. When she is six years old, she learns about her inner spirit flame—which simply means having belief in yourself and never letting that belief go, no matter what.

Vivien takes this inner strength and self-belief to her ice skating, determined to become the best in the world. While striving for her goal, she deals with the usual growing pains. The story is told in two timelines, showing us Vivien's childhood alongside her current situation.

Along the way, she deals with love, loss, and injustice. But Vivien knows what it means to have courage, giving her the resilience to make it through. She is also lucky to have a strong support system, including a mentor, a coach, and a nanny.

I liked the way the author showed both sides of Vivien—we got to see how fragile she is, but also how much strength she possesses. I love that human connection plays such a big part in this book; it reveals how isolated people can come together and build strength through and with each other. Being deaf made me feel a bit of kinship with them.

There is a bit of suspense and a few secrets, but for the most part, it's a character-driven plot with very relatable figures. The pacing kept me turning the pages because I truly cared about what happened to Vivien. Ultimately, it was a very uplifting read that really resonated with me.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Goodreads ratings reflect reader demographics and
popular enthusiasm rather than objective literary merit.

[Debra]

Gripping, moving, inspiring, and hard to put down, The Wonder of One: A Novel is a riveting coming of age story. I listened to the audiobook and the narration was fantastic! I was instantly drawn into the world of Vivien Kendall and rooted for her as Suzanne Redfearn took readers through Vivien's life from childhood to adulthood. This book touches on many themes and issues ranging from being different, being judged by your looks, bullying, friendship, found family, various types of relationships, hope, strength, and love to name a few. There were so many characters in this book that shaped and had an impact on Vivian's life, but I also enjoyed how she had an impact on the lives of others as well.

Vivien Kendall was born with a birthmark that covered much of her face. Kids can be cruel, and she was the subject of bullying and mocking by many of her peers. She was also accepted and became friends with others. She wasn't just friends with her peers; she had a close relationship with members of her mother's staff. A chance meeting with Meryl Fairbanks, a renowned ice skater and coach, introduces her to the world of figure skating where she will once again be judged by her looks.

I adored Vivian's quiet strength, her love of her friends and those important to her in her life, I admired her tenacity and her drive. I felt for her when she was bullied and when she was judged by her looks. She was truly beautiful, but few saw it but those who did, became her found family and support system. I also admired her love of skating and how hard she tried to be the best she could be in terms of her sport.

I enjoyed how this book was told in dual timelines and besides being a lovely coming of age story, this book also had a mystery in it as well. I thought the author blended these two elements brilliantly.

Thank you to Brilliance Audio and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Mo Reads]

3.5 ⭐️

‘Vivien Kendall has always been different. Born with a birthmark covering much of her face, she’s been bullied, ridiculed, and mistreated as a child. But at the age of six, Vivien learns that in each of us there burns a spirit flame—a deep belief in oneself that must be nurtured and never allowed to go out.’

The Wonder of One was an absolute heartwarmer. FMC, Vivien, was a fierce to be reckoned with, despite all of the contempt she garnered over her facial nevus her entire life. She often reminded me of Forrest Gump, powering through adversity, regardless of the hardships along the way.
And goodness, the hardships flowed in with wild abandon.
If “Beauty comes from within” were a person, it would be Vivien Kendall, leaving her mark on the world in such a genuine and unintentional way. She was truly a pleasure to get to know.
 
Thanks to Lake Union Pub for the opportunity. All opinions are my own.
 
Pub: 8.15.2026

[Angela bookish_mamabear on IG]

This is such a beautiful story! There’s coming of age, overcoming adversity, confronting injustice, dealing with loss and disappointments, found family, and a murder to solve. It checked so many boxes for me and I could not put it down. This will definitely make it in my top ten from 2026!! If you loved Where the Crawdads Sing, you’ll love this too!!

[Jill | jills_book_obsession]

Wow! This book completely blew me away! I absolutely fell in love with the main character Vivien and wanted more than anything to reach through the pages and not only protect her, but hug her! I also wanted to reach through the pages and throat chop a certain other character.
I love that this author made me feel such emotions towards fictional characters and that I’m still thinking about this story days after finishing!💛

[Linda]

If you've never read a Suzanne Redfearn book, what are you waiting for? I fell in love with this author for the first time when I read, "In an instant" during Covid. It still ranks as one of my favorite books of all time. So when I saw an ARC available written by her, I jumped for joy! Redfearn's writing style is absolutely beautiful. I soaked up every word. Her newest novel is about a girl named Vivien, who was born with a birthmark on her face that results in her not only being bullied by others but also prevents her from excelling in life. That is until she befriends an ice skating coach who gives her a pair of skates and changes her world forever. What follows are her triumps and failures throughout life and what it means to be resilient and to fight for yourself against all odds. It was a beautiful story and I am so honored to be one of the first to read it! Thank you NetGalley and thank you Lake Union Publishing/Brilliance Audio.

[Melissa Smith]

This book was everything I look for in a story. We have a coming of age tale with a young girl who against all odds makes it to the Olympics. Born with a birthmark covering most of her face, Vivian knows what it feels like to be judged and mistreated. Regardless, she chases her dream to become the best figure skater in the world.

A second storyline many years later parallels with a minister who was murdered and the police who are investigating. How do the two stories intersect?

This book started out a bit slow for me (Vivian is only 6 when the story starts) but once she reaches the teen years I was enthralled and couldn’t put it down. Definitely don’t miss out on this one!

[KDRBCK]

The Wonder of One by outstanding wordsmith Suzanne Redfearn is published by Lake Union.
The story spans years, is a first a bit confusing with lots of characters, but once reingelesen its a feast for the brain.
Loved the storyline, the worldbuilding, the pace and the characters.
I recommend the novel, 5 stars.

[Bernie Groves]

Suzanne Redfearn has done it again. I have loved all of her books and The Wonder of One did not let me down.

When reading we meet Vivien, at the age of 6, and we follow her throughout her life. It sounds ordinary and yet Vivien is different and the life she lives and the impact she has is extraordinary.

The book takes us back and forth, from the present day back to Viviens childhood and all of it helps us build a picture of what she has gone through and what her life has been like and what she has chosen to make of her circumstances.
This book is a coming of age story at its heart, but it has so much more, social injustice, bullying, trauma, complicated families, loss and grief, a murder mystery and a truly magnificent found family.

I cared about Vivien profoundly very early on, i didn't have a happy childhood and as an autistic woman i experience situational mutism and so some parts of the book really hit straight to my heart. My care for the character only grew throughout the book and this is one of those occasions where i feel genuinely sad that the book is over and i have had to leave this character behind.
There were many parts of this book where i was reduced to tears, for various different reasons, it is truly a beautiful and emotional read and is possibly my favourite of Suzannes books.

[Jessica]

From the opening chapters, I cared about Vivian—her drive, her vulnerabilities, and the way key people in her life shaped her path. The book focuses on her resilience and the way she pushes through adversity, making her personal growth as she comes of age the true heart of the story. I especially appreciated how the side characters are more than background—they actively influence her choices and highlight different facets of who she is becoming.

The pacing worked perfectly for me, with just enough detail to ground each scene without lingering too long on the mundane. The narrative always feels like it’s moving—training, relationships, setbacks, and small victories blend into a propulsive reading experience.

The murder mystery storyline adds tension and intrigue, but never overshadows Vivian’s coming of age story. I liked that it adds tension as you bounce from current day to the past but it still plays second fiddle to her journey rather than turning the book into a pure mystery. This book is absolutely worth the read.

Thank you NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for allowing me the opportunity to read this ARC!

[Ashley]

As with all of Suzanne's books, she writes stories that challenge you to really think about different things in life and presents characters in a thoughtful and reflective way. In this book, she pushes you to consider what choices you would make when facing incredibly difficult challenges.

Vivien Kendall has had a difficult life; growing up with a mother who barely acknowledges her unless it serves her own purpose. To a school that will not let her settle in because she's different. Bullying of all varieties because she has a nevus on her face that makes her look different from others, but also because of something her grandfather did to some people in their community.

One of the most important lessons in this story, for me anyways, was that generational element. Vivien's grandfather was not a nice man and so he put a lot of people into a difficult situation financially where they lost a lot of money. One man in particular couldn't handle the loss and ended up taking his own life. That man's son now goes to school with Vivien and his entire focus is making her suffer for what her grandfather did. Bart is the epitome of a villain. He's terrifying throughout this story and really sets the stage for Vivien that culminates in the end of her own life.

Generational trauma is that trauma that carries forward from one generation to the next. Vivian's grandfather did some terrible things to others and Vivian's mother wasn't much better either. Vivien on the other hand is sweet and caring in ways that her biological family can't even understand.

The family she leans on is her Somali family. The ones she was raised by as the help in her house and those that really cared for her throughout her life. These relationships are another important element of this book.

Our experiences and relationships that define us are a mixture of those that we are biologically related to and also those that we choose for our family. A combination of these things shape who we are in a way can be profound, especially for Vivien's character. The love and affection that she does experience comes from the people she chooses to have around her. But other forces like her mother and others try to keep them away. This is a defining experience for Vivien's development. Understanding who loves her and who does not and making difficult choices related to that.

Vivien's character is multi-faceted and I loved her so much. She brings light and reflection into so many people's lives and has stayed with me long after this book is over. She represents this unbridled beauty and honesty in a world that can be so dark and traumatizing. She reminds us all that we can be better and stronger than we were the day before.

The only thing that I'm still wondering about is from the ending... the last page leaves this odd little nugget that I'm not sure I understood...

[Juana Torres]

Coming of age story. Beautifully written. Full of heart and so many emotions. Vivien Kendall was born with a large birthmark covering most of her face. Her mother rarely acknowledges her and she gets bullied by her peers. She finds friends and family when she joins the world of figure skating. Through all her trials and tribulations Vivien showcases resilience, overcomes adversity and confronts injustice. The book spans years beginning when she is just 6 years old.

There is also a murder mystery subplot which adds suspense and intrigue. It also has a pretty good twist.

This is one beautiful and inspirational story. Vivien Kendall is the strong heroine we all need to read about right now.

4.5 stars!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Thank you NetGalley, Suzanne Redfearn and Lake Union Publishing for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Gordon Warnock]

In all honesty, I will read anything Suzanne Redfearn writes. The stories are just that good, and the writing grabs me every time. This one, though, is a level up for her, and she smashed it. A grand tale of a life well lived, and an example that even the smallest of us can make the biggest impact. Well done. I can't wait for the next one.

[Booksandcoffeemx]

I have read almost all of Suzanne’s books, and I really enjoy her writing, but this story is nothing like her previous books, and let me tell you, it was epic.

A coming-of-age story that left me breathless, I couldn’t help but fall in love with Vivien, a strong and mighty heroine who refuses to let the way others see her define who she is or what she can become.

This is one of those stories that grips you from the start and doesn’t let go until the very end. And when you finish, you know it left a mark on you.

[Susan Peterson]

The Wonder of One is a compelling, poignant coming of age story about Vivian, who, from the time she was a little girl, faced prejudice, cruelty, and injustice. Somehow, through her own determination and grit, she faces all these challenges with a brave spirit and a caring heart. My heart ached for her as she endured so much at the hands of both adults and children, yet somehow she always found a light, even when so much was dark. There are many twists and turns in this story, including a mystery surrounding the death of the local preacher. I received an advance reader copy of this book from the publisher.

[Judi]

Suzanne Redfearn’s The Wonder of One is the kind of book that makes you care about a character almost immediately. Vivien Kendall got under my skin and stayed there. She’s a character I’ll remember for a long time, and that’s when I know I’ve read a really good book!

Born with a large birthmark on her face, Vivien grows up in a world that can be unbelievably cruel to anyone who looks different. But The Wonder of One isn’t just a story about cruelty. It’s about resilience, found family, friendship, competition, prejudice, and the people who love us enough to help shape who we become.

My Thoughts on The Wonder of One:
⛸️ Growing Up With Vivien
One of my favorite things about The Wonder of One was that it was truly a coming-of-age story, but not one confined to a small period of Vivien Kendall’s life. We get to follow her through the decades, seeing how the experiences of her younger years continue to shape the woman she becomes.

Vivien was such an easy character for me to care about. She is born with a large birthmark covering part of her face, and because of it, she experiences an incredible amount of cruelty and prejudice. So many people have a hard time seeing beyond her birthmark to the person she actually is.

That part of the story broke my heart. But it was also probably my favorite part of the book.

Vivien could have allowed the way people treated her to define her. Instead, those experiences helped make her stronger, more compassionate, and more determined. I loved watching her become the person she was meant to be despite all the people who tried to make her feel like she was somehow less.

As for the bully in the story? I wanted to punch him!

❤️ The Family You Find
This book is very much about found family. Vivien may experience plenty of cruelty, but she also has people in her life who show up for her, love her, and give her a place to belong.

I loved those relationships.

The characters surrounding Vivien were one of the strongest parts of the story for me because they reminded me that family isn’t always about who you’re related to. Sometimes it’s about the people who choose you and never stop!

🧊 The Competitive World of Figure Skating
I also really enjoyed the figure skating story line. I found the competitive side of figure skating fascinating, especially as Vivien tried to find her place in a world where appearance and perfection mattered so much. I love books with a sports element, so the fact that figure skating was such an important part of the story made me very happy.

🔎 A Little Mystery Makes Everything Better
As if Vivien’s story weren’t interesting enough on its own, Redfearn adds a murder mystery. That gave the book an entirely different kind of tension and kept me wondering how everything would eventually connect.

I thought the mystery blended really well with the coming-of-age portion of the story rather than feeling like two completely different books mashed together. The mystery and dual timelines also helped keep the pacing strong throughout the book.

🎧 Read It or Listen to It?
I did both! I read about half of The Wonder of One and listened to the other half, and the audio was extremely well done.

I love being able to switch back and forth between a physical or digital book and the audiobook when the narration works, and this was definitely one where it did.

If you’re an audiobook reader, I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend listening to this one. If you have Kindle Unlimited, the audiobook is included.

🎀 What About the Ending?
The ending was incredibly well done. Everything came together at exactly the right time, and all of the loose ends were tied up without the conclusion feeling rushed or too perfectly packaged.

I especially appreciated the timing of the reveals. Redfearn didn’t give things away too early, but she also didn’t drag everything out simply for the sake of keeping the reader guessing. By the time I reached the final pages, I felt like Vivien’s story had been given the ending it deserved.

Thank you to NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing, and Suzanne Redfearn for my advance copy of this book. This is my honest opinion.

Let’s Chat:

Have you ever read a book where you became so attached to the main character that you felt personally offended when someone treated them badly?

Because apparently I was ready to climb right into The Wonder of One and deal with Vivien’s bully myself. 😂

Let me know in the comments!

[PinkAmy loves books, cats and naps]

If you picked up THE WONDER OF ONE because you wanted to read a book about a figure skater, you’ll probably be disappointed. Suzanne Redfearn’s latest novel is about Vivien, a Very Special Girl with a large facial nevus who changes the world by being herself. Insert eye roll emoji. I’m not certain Redfearn has ever met a child.

Vivien, born to a wealthy, white, emotionally harsh mother is basically raised by Somalian workers who’ve become family to her. In 2003 at age 6 she’s sent to boarding school. An outcast in the beginning, she eventually charms everyone except Big Bad Bully Bart. She changes lives just by being wise beyond her years. As a tween, an Olympic medalist offers to teach Vivien to figure skates, because she can tell the girl is Very Special. Guess what? Vivien is a prodigy and despite her birthmark, she makes it to the Olympics. She skates nearly perfectly, better than all the others but because the world is cruel to Vivien, she’s scored too low which changes everything more lives. At this point Dick Wolfe is probably creating a new franchise Law&Order: Special Vivien Unit. Vivien goes to live in Somalia with the family who once cared for her, immediately becoming indispensable. When a young girl with a cleft palate recognizes her, Vivien decides to compete for the Somalian Olympic Figure Skating team. She becomes the white savior, inspiring a nation. At the end of her perfect performance she performs an illegal backflip (except it’s no longer illegal) disqualifying herself from the competition. Yet she’s haled as an international hero, because Vivien is Very Special.

Meanwhile, in 2025 a sheriff is investigating the murder of a reverend, Big Bad Bully Bart. Vivien has a young Very Special Daughter. Everyone says Vivien could never kill another person. But, since she is dying as her nevus became cancerous, she leads the sheriff to believe she’s the culprit. Though he doesn’t believe Vivien, he arrests her and a plea bargain is accepted. The sheriff decides since Big Bully Bart was a Bad Guy and Viv is dying, he’ll let the real killers off the hook.

Vivien is a sympathetic character. She reminds me a bit of Forrest Gump, happening into situations where people assume an agenda she does not have. She’s easy to root for, despite being written with qualities and insight no child or young woman can have. Her prefrontal cortex isn’t even fully developed by the time she dies.

The part about Vivien becoming a symbol for Somalia didn’t sit right with me. She loved the country and its people, but having a wealthy white woman as symbol felt wrong.

Redfearn writes engaging prose, her characters however, do not resemble real people. Also NEVER KILL/TORTURE ANIMALS. She can create a Big Bad Bully without murdering animals.

[Rachel]

Having previously read In an Instant and absolutely loving it, I was really looking forward to reading The Wonder of One. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

Every once in a while, I like to step away from my usual thrillers and mysteries and lose myself in something more emotional and heartwarming and this book ticked every single box.

This isn’t a book to rush through. Yes, it’s completely unputdownable, but at the same time I found myself wanting to slow down and savour it because the storytelling was just so beautiful.

Vivian Kendall, aka Patch, was such a wonderfully written character and I completely fell in love with her. She felt so real, layered and full of heart. I became deeply invested in her journey and everything she went through. I also absolutely loved Prof, and honestly every character brought something special to the story and to Vivian’s life in their own unique way.

This book made me smile, made me emotional and definitely brought a tear to my eye more than once. It was beautifully written, full of heart, hope and human connection and absolutely a book I will be recommending to friends.

Another incredible read by Suzanne Redfern. I will definitely be reading more of her books

[Mái Medina]

Book 57
Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I absolutely loved Suzanne Redfearn’s Call of El Camino, so when I saw she was publishing a new book, I reached out to her to see if there was any chance of getting an advanced copy. My heart was absolutely full when she very kindly sent me not only the ebook, but also the audiobook… and I LOVED IT! 🥹📚🎧

This new book has the same exceptional writing I loved in her previous work, but with a completely different tone. The Wonder of One is a beautiful coming-of-age story that will pull on ALL of your heartstrings. ❤️

I loved Vivian’s story and all the representation explored throughout the book. I also really enjoyed the sports setting, which added such a fun and engaging layer to the story. Most importantly, I loved the characters. I became so invested in their lives and genuinely cared about their well-being. 🥹

I don’t give out 5 stars easily, but this one absolutely deserves every single one. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Highly, highly recommend this book! And I think it would make a fantastic book club pick because there is SO much to discuss. I can already imagine the conversations! 📖💬

Thank you so much to Suzanne for trusting me with this beautiful story. It was such a joy to read and listen to! 💕

[Szilvi_Tamas]

If you’re looking for an emotional, inspiring, and heartbreakingly beautiful coming-of-age story, look no further than The Wonder of One.

Spanning 22 years across two timelines, we follow Vivien, a determined young girl with a cold mother, no father, and a large birthmark on her face. Despite bullying and painful losses, she holds onto her big dreams and her enormous heart, supported by the loving Somali caretakers who become such an important part of her life. Her ambitious dream of becoming an Olympic figure skater takes her on an unforgettable journey of resilience, sacrifice, and self-belief.
The second timeline centers on a murder investigation, and the way the two stories ultimately connect was brilliant.

I also loved how grounded the story feels in our world, weaving in everything from ICE detentions and the rise of Netflix and Amazon to the COVID-19 pandemic. It also touches on major events like Obama’s political actions and Harry and Meghan’s wedding. These details give the story an authentic, lived-in quality and make the characters’ world feel incredibly real.
A heartfelt and compelling story about resilience, perseverance, dreams, and the extraordinary impact one person can have.

Suzanne Redfearn really created something special here. Beautifully devastating. I won’t be forgetting this one anytime soon.

[Emma]

What stayed with me most about *The Wonder of One* is Vivien’s idea of the spirit flame, especially because it becomes something she has to protect rather than a lesson she simply learns once. Her journey from being a bullied six year old to pursuing figure skating gives that idea room to evolve as she encounters friendship, love, disappointment, and the demands of competition.

I was especially drawn to the way the people around Vivien shape her progress. Her nanny, mentor, and eventual coach each seem to offer something different as she learns to trust her own ability, while the prejudice she encounters keeps her personal ambition connected to the larger world changing around her. The story therefore feels like more than a sports journey. Figure skating becomes the place where Vivien tests what she believes about herself.

Readers who enjoy coming of age fiction, sports stories, friendship, family, and characters pursuing difficult dreams will find much to connect with here. What makes Vivien’s journey memorable is the idea that meaningful change does not always begin with being extraordinary. Sometimes it begins with one person refusing to let their inner light go out.

[Bethany]

Vivien Kendall was born with a birthmark that covered a large portion of her face, causing her to be bullied and tormented when she was enrolled in boarding school at the age of six. Despite a tense relationship with her mother, she finds support in others as she pursues her dream of becoming an ice skater. In present day, the local sheriff tries to solve the murder of the town’s reverend, searching for details and secrets from the past.

This epic tale spans twenty-two years from 2003 to 2025, and I absolutely loved being along for the journey. Vivien is a beautiful, strong character, and I appreciated her determination and perseverance through the injustice and discrimination she experienced throughout her life. This is a coming-of-age story of strength, found family, and overcoming adversity, and it was executed perfectly. Be sure to read the author’s note at the end - I loved hearing about Suzanne Redfearn’s inspiration for the story! I’d highly recommend this incredible book!

Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for my gifted digital + physical ARCs!

[Katie Peal]

Having loved Suzanne Redfern's previous books, I went into this with high expectations—and once again, she didn't disappoint. If anything, the blurb doesn't do this story justice.

Beautifully written, this is so much more than an inspirational coming-of-age story. The way Suzanne Redfearn effortlessly interweaves two timelines keeps the pages turning, while the mystery, relationships and themes of found family add real depth and heart. Every character feels authentic and well developed, making it impossible not to become invested in their journeys.

This is a heartwarming, uplifting and emotional read, filled with inspirational characters and moments that will stay with you long after you've finished. It was an absolute joy to read from beginning to end, and I thoroughly enjoyed every page.

A wonderful novel that I would definitely recommend.

[Julia Richardson]

I can easily say this was one of my favorite books of the year! Packed full of conflict, the story’s remarkable theme is love. Vivien Kendall is born into a household with a host of interesting characters. Raised mostly by immigrants who act more as her parents than the hired help, she gets a great start in the world through the love of those around her. When her mother insists she go to a boarding school, Vivien’s life travels a path that involves bullying, fame, and eventually, murder. Reading this book, I immediately thought of how we are shaped by the influences of so many different people. I didn’t want this story to end! Wonderful writing and a fabulous storyline!

[Lisa A.]

Suzanne Redfearn became an instant favourite after I read Where Butterflies Wander and The Wonder of One is another story that will stay with me for years to come.

This story has a great cast of well-developed characters, and I was fully invested in Vivien's story and felt her every emotion. A beautifully told and evocative story of facing adversity, finding solace, support and strength in friendship and found family. Highly recommended reading!

I received a complimentary digital copy from NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

[Michelle Odland]

I started this book thinking it was more about a figure skater becoming top of her game. But this book was surprisingly much more. While the present tense of the detective trying to solve a murder was interesting I was much more engaged in Patch’s past. This was well-woven between the past and present and what I think was even more fascinating- it all made sense. I don’t always feel satisfied with an ending, sometimes that’s intentional by the author, sometimes not, but i genuinely enjoyed this story.

[Angela]

Suzanne Redfearn has written another FANTASTIC book. This story follows the life of Vivian "Patch" Keller. Patch has a birth defect on her face but overcomes and prevails to become an olympic star. Patch has strength, perseverance and compassion. A beautifully written story with a strong female lead! Highly recommend. 5 stars. Thank you to Netgalley for the advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Rachel]

In this story, we meet Vivien, who was born with a nevus covering a large portion of her face. From the very beginning, this birthmark shapes how the world sees her and impacts nearly every aspect of her life. It is often the first thing people notice, and she quickly learns that people can be afraid of what they don’t understand.

When Vivien is sent away to boarding school, she finds herself surrounded by peers who are quick to judge and bully. But while her time there brings painful challenges, it also opens the door to new opportunities and introduces her to people who are willing to see the person beyond her birthmark.

Vivien eventually becomes known around the world for her beautiful ice skating, but even then, she can’t escape being judged by her appearance. As we follow her journey, we’re also pulled into another timeline-a murder mystery connected to her time at boarding school.

I loved both the coming-of-age story and the mystery, and I thought they were brilliantly woven together. This story is moving, gripping, and beautifully written, with so much to say about judgment, resilience, and the way we choose to see one another.

I continue to be a huge fan of Suzanne Redfearn and will absolutely be looking forward to whatever she writes next.

[Lynn Tanner]

I have read several other books by this author, and her latest release did not disappoint. It featured themes of hardship, resilience, wild success, disappointment, love, family dynamics, and mystery, while also addressing some contemporary issues. It truly evokes all the emotions, is well-written, and is difficult to put down.

[Nichole Barocio]

Grit. Perseverance. Love. Through smiles and tears, you’ll be reminded that family isn’t always blood, life can be tough and cruel and that happy comes in different forms.