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Little One
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?
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?
1 pages, Audio CD
First published February 3, 2026
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February 23, 2026
This isn’t a deep dive into the cult life but a retelling of being in one.
It’s the early 2000’s. Catharine, aka “little one”, has been 10 years out of that life. She’s 28 with a good job and a place of her own. She’s a loner but at the same time, has become a manipulator and can play a part with others. A bit of a fraud as she hasn’t come to terms with her past.
When an email arrives wanting her to write about her experience, her fear of dredging up the past awakens. The trauma that's been denied. But there is a chance she could reconnect with her sister whom she thinks may be the source of this story.
This was a solid and compelling read.
The abuse that occurs in these cults, always frightening. The psychological angle adults wield on children and others. Great manipulators. Perhaps initiated with good intentions, many of these charismatic leaders swing to extremes.
At the core of this story is identity; family; friendships. It’s also about forgiveness for actions to self preserve; heal.
I would consider this more of a mystery, which doesn’t seem to be my genre, but worked here.
4⭐️
It’s the early 2000’s. Catharine, aka “little one”, has been 10 years out of that life. She’s 28 with a good job and a place of her own. She’s a loner but at the same time, has become a manipulator and can play a part with others. A bit of a fraud as she hasn’t come to terms with her past.
When an email arrives wanting her to write about her experience, her fear of dredging up the past awakens. The trauma that's been denied. But there is a chance she could reconnect with her sister whom she thinks may be the source of this story.
This was a solid and compelling read.
The abuse that occurs in these cults, always frightening. The psychological angle adults wield on children and others. Great manipulators. Perhaps initiated with good intentions, many of these charismatic leaders swing to extremes.
At the core of this story is identity; family; friendships. It’s also about forgiveness for actions to self preserve; heal.
I would consider this more of a mystery, which doesn’t seem to be my genre, but worked here.
4⭐️
February 4, 2026
Onlookers might think that Catharine West’s childhood was idyllic. From glorious sunsets to picking fresh, juicy produce from the garden to running around as much as she pleased, her parents made sure their life was one centered around community, which led people to want to stay on their property to have a taste of the “perfect” life.
But a decade has passed since Catharine has been home, hiding in her new life to forget the memories and voices that haunt her about what she was and what she did. Everything in her life is curated to fit what she can control, until a journalist contacts her, asking if she knew anything about a mysterious cult in Florida. It’s a small crack in the mask she hides behind, but it’s nothing she can’t handle. But when she starts to think back to what life was like on the farm, Catharine begins to realize that she can’t run away from the truth of what she knows about what really happened.
I’m not gonna lie, I’m kinda disappointed. 🫤 I was expecting something entirely different, but I will say, this was interesting. The writing is really good (even though the grammatical mistakes were throwing me off a bit 😅), and although I knew my disappointment would only grow as I continued to read this book, I’m proud of myself that I stuck through until the end. Was the ending as good as I hoped it would be? No, but that’s okay. As I said, the story was interesting enough for me to give it three stars.
I didn’t really like the characters for some reason. I mean, the end kinda sealed the deal about why I didn’t like one of them, but I tried my hardest to root for any of the characters, but I just couldn’t. I didn’t warm up to Catharine at all, but I was so sad about what she had to go through as a kid. 😭 And the plot twists in the second half of the book were predictable. I wasn’t surprised by anything that came to light, except for one crazy thing at the end, but nothing shocked me. Even then, I don’t know if it’s that kind of book. Either way, the story is what saved the day because, as I said, it was quite interesting. 👍🏼
I understand, though, about Catharine’s hesitancy about wanting to share her story. There are several true crime podcasts, videos, books, and series that go into detail about what cults run by narcissistic crazies have done to innocent people who were looking for help. What difference would one more make? Well, I think it’s like the news. Why do we hear story after story of robberies, murders, and other horrible things happening in the world when it happens every day? Easy, someone would say. It’s to inform the public. That’s how I feel about true crime media. It’s there to inform the public about the evils of this world, hold it accountable, see how those who were evil were brought to justice (and get angry when they don't), and remind us to never forget the victims who suffered at the hands of that evil. The world is a dark place. I wish it weren’t and that we could all live in peace and harmony, but that’s just not the case in an imperfect world. 😭💔 Sorry, I was just thinking about all that while I was reading. 😅
All in all, the way I feel about this book is that I’m grateful I got to read it, but I could have lived my life without it. There are a lot of good reviews for this, so I recommend reading those to see if this book is for you! 💚
Thank you to Little, Brown and Company and NetGalley for providing the arc in exchange for an honest review! All opinions and statements are my own. This book will be published on 02/03/2026!
❗Content Warnings❗
Mentions death, murder, withholding food/abuse/child abuse, violence, & blood.
Swearing: Yes
Spice: No (only mentions sex)
But a decade has passed since Catharine has been home, hiding in her new life to forget the memories and voices that haunt her about what she was and what she did. Everything in her life is curated to fit what she can control, until a journalist contacts her, asking if she knew anything about a mysterious cult in Florida. It’s a small crack in the mask she hides behind, but it’s nothing she can’t handle. But when she starts to think back to what life was like on the farm, Catharine begins to realize that she can’t run away from the truth of what she knows about what really happened.
I’m not gonna lie, I’m kinda disappointed. 🫤 I was expecting something entirely different, but I will say, this was interesting. The writing is really good (even though the grammatical mistakes were throwing me off a bit 😅), and although I knew my disappointment would only grow as I continued to read this book, I’m proud of myself that I stuck through until the end. Was the ending as good as I hoped it would be? No, but that’s okay. As I said, the story was interesting enough for me to give it three stars.
I didn’t really like the characters for some reason. I mean, the end kinda sealed the deal about why I didn’t like one of them, but I tried my hardest to root for any of the characters, but I just couldn’t. I didn’t warm up to Catharine at all, but I was so sad about what she had to go through as a kid. 😭 And the plot twists in the second half of the book were predictable. I wasn’t surprised by anything that came to light, except for one crazy thing at the end, but nothing shocked me. Even then, I don’t know if it’s that kind of book. Either way, the story is what saved the day because, as I said, it was quite interesting. 👍🏼
I understand, though, about Catharine’s hesitancy about wanting to share her story. There are several true crime podcasts, videos, books, and series that go into detail about what cults run by narcissistic crazies have done to innocent people who were looking for help. What difference would one more make? Well, I think it’s like the news. Why do we hear story after story of robberies, murders, and other horrible things happening in the world when it happens every day? Easy, someone would say. It’s to inform the public. That’s how I feel about true crime media. It’s there to inform the public about the evils of this world, hold it accountable, see how those who were evil were brought to justice (and get angry when they don't), and remind us to never forget the victims who suffered at the hands of that evil. The world is a dark place. I wish it weren’t and that we could all live in peace and harmony, but that’s just not the case in an imperfect world. 😭💔 Sorry, I was just thinking about all that while I was reading. 😅
All in all, the way I feel about this book is that I’m grateful I got to read it, but I could have lived my life without it. There are a lot of good reviews for this, so I recommend reading those to see if this book is for you! 💚
Thank you to Little, Brown and Company and NetGalley for providing the arc in exchange for an honest review! All opinions and statements are my own. This book will be published on 02/03/2026!
❗Content Warnings❗
Mentions death, murder, withholding food/abuse/child abuse, violence, & blood.
Swearing: Yes
Spice: No (only mentions sex)
March 16, 2026
⭐️ 3.75 ⭐️ This is a story about a woman who grew up in a cult and experienced brainwashing and psychological abuse for many years until she abandons the farm. Catharines life becomes upended when a reporter/journalist comes asking questions, putting a lot of pressure on Catharine as she fears that her carefully constructed life is about to crumble. Her story is narrated through alternating chapters of now and then, giving us glimpses of her childhood and showing us both the hypnotic allure and the dark sides of a cult. Much of the novel is a slow-burning exploration of trauma, identity and the need to belong. It's one of those very discomforting books that is written in the most compelling way but carries insidiously dark tones. I was hoping for a more shocking insider look into cult dynamics from a survivals perspective but while this wasn't exactly what I thought it would be, Little One turned out to much more genre-bending and engrossing. It has a very strong true-crime feel to it with an ending that was a surprising one.
Full RTF:)
Full RTF:)
February 21, 2026
A genre-bending knockout that was as hypnotic as it was immersive, Little One took me into the dark heart of a cult that both got my heart pumping and made me actually cry. Nuanced and poignant, I was stunned into silence by this true-crime-like story. You see, this tale was an eloquent mashup of mystery and literary fiction with a dash of thrills on the side. Bringing to mind the depth of Where the Crawdads Sing with the thought-provoking yet mysterious vibe of Wild Dark Shore, it had my eyes glued to the words from the very first page. Don’t get me wrong, much of the novel was a slow-burning exploration of identity, trauma, loss, and the need to belong, but I was so riveted by the haunting tale that I inhaled the whole book in one single go. After all, just when I thought I had the whole thing figured out, there was a “WTF?!” twist that absolutely took me out at the knees.
What else did I love about this gripping cult-centered novel? Well, with a ripped-from-the-headlines feel alongside of an atmospheric setting, it was no surprise at all that there was also a investigative journalism angle. Using it to further the two alternating past-and-present timelines by weaving them together with precision, I relished the slow unraveling of this intricate web of lies. Hiding dark family secrets and even darker truths, I wasn’t let down by a single revelation. You see, the chilling reveals slotted perfectly into place all while feeling genuine and real. That being said, the unsettling nature of the serious themes had me shivering with a ratcheting level of dread as the page count grew ever higher. All in all, I can’t help but give Ms. Muenter a big round of applause for this jaw-dropping *chef’s kiss* read. Rating of 5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
From the outside, Catharine West’s childhood sounds idyllic—balmy days spent running barefoot through the gardens, plucking ripe tomatoes straight from the vine as sunlight warmed her skin. Her parents built a life that was simple and community-focused, an ethos that soon attracted others in need of a change. For a time, Catharine’s magnetic father was enough to keep the farm thriving and temptation outside its gates. But as she grew older, the farm and family she was raised to love faded into something darker, forcing Catharine to evolve with it.
It’s now been a decade since Catharine abandoned the farm, and she has done her best to reinvent her life, until an email from a charismatic journalist interrupts her peace. Her first instinct is to ignore the stranger’s prying questions—whether she knew about a mysterious “cult” in central Florida, whether she is the same “Catharine-with-an-A” who lived there for a time. But when she realizes the journalist knows far more than he’s letting on, she reconsiders. If Catharine can stay one step ahead of him, she may be able to find the one person she never wanted to leave behind—her sister, Linna—and make sure her own secrets remain buried too.
Thank you Olivia Muenter and Little Brown for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: February 3, 2026
Content warning: gaslighting, bullying, body shaming, emotional and physical abuse, death of a parent, eating disorder, cult, murder
What else did I love about this gripping cult-centered novel? Well, with a ripped-from-the-headlines feel alongside of an atmospheric setting, it was no surprise at all that there was also a investigative journalism angle. Using it to further the two alternating past-and-present timelines by weaving them together with precision, I relished the slow unraveling of this intricate web of lies. Hiding dark family secrets and even darker truths, I wasn’t let down by a single revelation. You see, the chilling reveals slotted perfectly into place all while feeling genuine and real. That being said, the unsettling nature of the serious themes had me shivering with a ratcheting level of dread as the page count grew ever higher. All in all, I can’t help but give Ms. Muenter a big round of applause for this jaw-dropping *chef’s kiss* read. Rating of 5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
From the outside, Catharine West’s childhood sounds idyllic—balmy days spent running barefoot through the gardens, plucking ripe tomatoes straight from the vine as sunlight warmed her skin. Her parents built a life that was simple and community-focused, an ethos that soon attracted others in need of a change. For a time, Catharine’s magnetic father was enough to keep the farm thriving and temptation outside its gates. But as she grew older, the farm and family she was raised to love faded into something darker, forcing Catharine to evolve with it.
It’s now been a decade since Catharine abandoned the farm, and she has done her best to reinvent her life, until an email from a charismatic journalist interrupts her peace. Her first instinct is to ignore the stranger’s prying questions—whether she knew about a mysterious “cult” in central Florida, whether she is the same “Catharine-with-an-A” who lived there for a time. But when she realizes the journalist knows far more than he’s letting on, she reconsiders. If Catharine can stay one step ahead of him, she may be able to find the one person she never wanted to leave behind—her sister, Linna—and make sure her own secrets remain buried too.
Thank you Olivia Muenter and Little Brown for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: February 3, 2026
Content warning: gaslighting, bullying, body shaming, emotional and physical abuse, death of a parent, eating disorder, cult, murder
March 15, 2026
I’m always on the lookout for a great thriller. Then when you add in a CULT…well, say no more! I’m all in!🙌!
I find them fascinating! So how could I possibly pass up this mystery novel dealing with one woman’s story of life both in and outside a cult.
Told in two timelines:
Then…
Catharine grew up in a picture-perfect community run by her father. But as she got older and noticing the group’s numbers falling as people suddenly left. She knew something was not right.
Now…
Ten years later with her past hidden behind her, Catharine is moving forward. That is until a journalist comes knocking wanting to stir up the past. Is it better to ignore it? Or face her past head on?
I loved this story as Catharine was growing up and what she endured, believing it was a normal upbringing. The enlightenment as she matured. The confrontation of her past. This book has it all. And all presented perfectly.
I listened to the audio which was narrated by the very talented Helen Laser and she captured Catharine perfectly in all aspects of her life.
✍️ Olivia Muenter
🎧 8 hours and 53 minutes
🎤 Helen Laser
🗓️ Available Now!
📈 5/5🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
👉 Thriller, Mystery, Contemporary
Thank you to libro.fm and Hachette Audio
I find them fascinating! So how could I possibly pass up this mystery novel dealing with one woman’s story of life both in and outside a cult.
Told in two timelines:
Then…
Catharine grew up in a picture-perfect community run by her father. But as she got older and noticing the group’s numbers falling as people suddenly left. She knew something was not right.
Now…
Ten years later with her past hidden behind her, Catharine is moving forward. That is until a journalist comes knocking wanting to stir up the past. Is it better to ignore it? Or face her past head on?
I loved this story as Catharine was growing up and what she endured, believing it was a normal upbringing. The enlightenment as she matured. The confrontation of her past. This book has it all. And all presented perfectly.
I listened to the audio which was narrated by the very talented Helen Laser and she captured Catharine perfectly in all aspects of her life.
✍️ Olivia Muenter
🎧 8 hours and 53 minutes
🎤 Helen Laser
🗓️ Available Now!
📈 5/5🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
👉 Thriller, Mystery, Contemporary
Thank you to libro.fm and Hachette Audio
April 10, 2026
and what if I said the most dangerous cult leaders all along are podcasters and reese was the scariest character to me
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,
February 9, 2026
I have no idea how this got so many 4 and 5 star reviews. It was actually 2 stars until the last fifth of the book, when it improved a bit. This was a boring novel--I really try not to DNF ARCs but it was difficult. This book was longer than it should have been and had so many times when a character would ask a question and it was followed by an excess of paragraphs saying absolutely nothing before another character would actually answer the question. I got so tired of the mind dump that the MC kept spewing. The author kept dropping the barest crumb in an attempt to develop intrigue and I found the pattern to be annoying and not at all engaging. Rather than want to read further in order to see what it was all about, I kept thinking: Can we please get on with the actual story here. I do not recommend the book.
March 30, 2026
if you enjoy or are looking for a:
- cult thriller
- good audiobook
- quick read (300ish pages)
- suspenseful read
- genre bender; has some fam drama alongside suspense
- books like PAPERCUT or THE LAST HOUSEWIFE
then you’ll enjoy this! like so many, cult thrillers always fascinate me. something about the psychology of it all that shocks me every time.
to me this felt like a recent book i read—PAPERCUT—and because they were so similar (even had the same audio narrator!), i think that caused me from enjoying this one as much. the ending to me felt way too quick and rushed and left me with more questions than answers, although i liked the sinister-ish ending and everything not tied up in a perfect bow. i needed 30-50 more pages. what happened to Linna? did i miss it? LOL
would have also like romance somewhere in this plot for more good sub-plot drama…
TLDR: a quick audiobook, engaging and keeps you hooked from page 1 to the end. not a MUST READ RIGHT NOW kind of book in my eyes
- cult thriller
- good audiobook
- quick read (300ish pages)
- suspenseful read
- genre bender; has some fam drama alongside suspense
- books like PAPERCUT or THE LAST HOUSEWIFE
then you’ll enjoy this! like so many, cult thrillers always fascinate me. something about the psychology of it all that shocks me every time.
to me this felt like a recent book i read—PAPERCUT—and because they were so similar (even had the same audio narrator!), i think that caused me from enjoying this one as much. the ending to me felt way too quick and rushed and left me with more questions than answers, although i liked the sinister-ish ending and everything not tied up in a perfect bow. i needed 30-50 more pages. what happened to Linna? did i miss it? LOL
would have also like romance somewhere in this plot for more good sub-plot drama…
TLDR: a quick audiobook, engaging and keeps you hooked from page 1 to the end. not a MUST READ RIGHT NOW kind of book in my eyes
March 1, 2026
Had shivers at the very end.
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!
Read
February 9, 2026A fascinating look at the traumatic after effects of living in a cult, being molded by a cult leader and the pressures of modern life while hiding this secret. Catharine's struggles with her weight, discipline, and control are deeply relatable, and the book's thrust being the uncovering of the mystery of the cult was deeply engaging.
I highly recommend this for thriller heads! Well written, dark, and engaging without being pat or offering neat solutions to really complex characters. The last 100 pages might be tough once you connect the dots before the MC does, but the ending is worth it.
I highly recommend this for thriller heads! Well written, dark, and engaging without being pat or offering neat solutions to really complex characters. The last 100 pages might be tough once you connect the dots before the MC does, but the ending is worth it.
February 8, 2026
4.5 stars. Written in dual timelines with an unreliable narrator, this dark and twisty little thriller had me nodding my head and gasping in awe at that one moment at the end.. such a BIG SURPRISE.. and oh how I really enjoyed that Muenter wrote this featuring a cult element (which always peaks my interest!)
Although this mainly follows main character Catharine West whom I felt sympathetic to for all the crazy her narcissistic father put her and her mother, sister through, it also shows how a cult can impact every part of your being. Catharine grew up, relocated, changed her name, learned how to function in the outside world, and yet she’s found by a dodgy reporter who is seeking her tell-all. She agrees only to find out the truth about the sister she had to leave behind, Linna. The heart of the story involves Catharine’s past gradually being revealed and her waking up to the reality//realness of being manipulated and controlled by a parental figure, her father. He was the leader of their communal tomato farm in Florida, which was a cult in every which way. But even now as an adult ten years later, toxicity from her youth still lingers.
Oh my goodness.. Olivia Muenter has written herself such a relatable, thought-provoking book that one could easily mistake for nonfiction. What a great story.. as narrated by Helen Laser, exceptional! 🎧 Pub. 2/3/26
Many thanks to Hatchette Audio for the ALC. All opinions are my own.
Although this mainly follows main character Catharine West whom I felt sympathetic to for all the crazy her narcissistic father put her and her mother, sister through, it also shows how a cult can impact every part of your being. Catharine grew up, relocated, changed her name, learned how to function in the outside world, and yet she’s found by a dodgy reporter who is seeking her tell-all. She agrees only to find out the truth about the sister she had to leave behind, Linna. The heart of the story involves Catharine’s past gradually being revealed and her waking up to the reality//realness of being manipulated and controlled by a parental figure, her father. He was the leader of their communal tomato farm in Florida, which was a cult in every which way. But even now as an adult ten years later, toxicity from her youth still lingers.
Oh my goodness.. Olivia Muenter has written herself such a relatable, thought-provoking book that one could easily mistake for nonfiction. What a great story.. as narrated by Helen Laser, exceptional! 🎧 Pub. 2/3/26
Many thanks to Hatchette Audio for the ALC. All opinions are my own.
April 18, 2026
A deep look into life in a cult from two perspectives of the same person - one as an adult and one as a child. Such a compelling story, once you start it's hard to stop reading. The writing is great, keeping Catherine, our main character's story well layered and slow to unravel.
In the present, Catherine has been found as an adult who managed to get away from the cult her father ran. She hasn't wanted to talk about her childhood, she's re-started her life as an adult and wants to be free from it all. But a podcast is being made either way and she's curious to know what happened to everyone after she left.
And wow, the layers to this story. The ways the cult was slow to feel ominous, looking through Catherine's naive eyes. The devotion of children, reading the messages from the adults and mothers, and the ways they all moved around each other in their farm compound. I was sucked in and I loved it.
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
In the present, Catherine has been found as an adult who managed to get away from the cult her father ran. She hasn't wanted to talk about her childhood, she's re-started her life as an adult and wants to be free from it all. But a podcast is being made either way and she's curious to know what happened to everyone after she left.
And wow, the layers to this story. The ways the cult was slow to feel ominous, looking through Catherine's naive eyes. The devotion of children, reading the messages from the adults and mothers, and the ways they all moved around each other in their farm compound. I was sucked in and I loved it.
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
February 10, 2026
This has the bones for an incredible story that heavily lacked in execution to me.
The chapters alternate from Catharine of present and past, as she tells a report about her time in a cult in central Florida that was lead by her father and all the dark events that ensued.
The control her father had over people was intense, the things he had them do to prove loyalty brutal. While the flashbacks were semi-interesting, the present day chapters really told no story, you could have cut them all out and not much would change.
Despite the interesting premise, the story somehow went nowhere and left me feeling bored majority of the time.
The chapters alternate from Catharine of present and past, as she tells a report about her time in a cult in central Florida that was lead by her father and all the dark events that ensued.
The control her father had over people was intense, the things he had them do to prove loyalty brutal. While the flashbacks were semi-interesting, the present day chapters really told no story, you could have cut them all out and not much would change.
Despite the interesting premise, the story somehow went nowhere and left me feeling bored majority of the time.
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.
March 18, 2026
The first third was incredible. I found myself nodding along and really settling in for a terrific read about a woman who survived a cult, but the middle and last third just slogged for me.
I found the while the novel moved between present day and the past, I wanted the cult sections to really drill into the hardships, and I don't think they really did enough. It stayed on the surface of what Catharine was reacting to, not up against, and while there were some tough moments, they weren't enough for me to find it believable to understand what she was up against with her dad and her past history.
I enjoyed the present day timeline well enough, however it felt like it was a tiny bit too tidy for my liking.
I found the while the novel moved between present day and the past, I wanted the cult sections to really drill into the hardships, and I don't think they really did enough. It stayed on the surface of what Catharine was reacting to, not up against, and while there were some tough moments, they weren't enough for me to find it believable to understand what she was up against with her dad and her past history.
I enjoyed the present day timeline well enough, however it felt like it was a tiny bit too tidy for my liking.
February 4, 2026
Thank you Little, Brown and Hachette Audio for my copy! All thoughts are my own.
I am not a thriller reader because I am easily scared! But, there is something about the pace of a thriller that always intrigues me. I’ve been a fan of Olivia’s work in many forms for many years and I was thrilled to read her sophomore novel. While I really enjoyed her first book, her second blew me out of the water. I found her writing to have evolved in such a positive and intriguing way. I could not put this book down and read it in just two days. It’s the perfect read for someone who wants the pace of a thriller but there isn’t any gore or nightmare inducing scenes.
Synopsis:
“From the outside, Catharine West’s childhood sounds idyllic—balmy days spent running barefoot through the gardens, plucking ripe tomatoes straight from the vine as sunlight warmed her skin. Her parents built a life that was simple and community-focused, an ethos that soon attracted others in need of a change. For a time, Catharine’s magnetic father was enough to keep the farm thriving, and temptation outside its gates. But as she grew older, the farm and family she was raised to love faded into something darker, forcing Catharine to evolve with it.It’s now been a decade since Catharine abandoned the farm and has done her best to reinvent her life, until an email from a charismatic journalist interrupts her peace. Her first instinct is to ignore the stranger’s prying questions—whether she knew about a mysterious “cult” in central Florida, whether she is the same “Catharine-with-an-A” who lived there for a time. But when she realizes the journalist knows far more than he’s letting on, she reconsiders. If Catharine can stay one step ahead of him, she may be able to find the one thing she never wanted to leave behind—her sister, Linna—and make sure her own secrets remain buried too.Sharp-eyed and sweltering, Little One masterfully captures the dread of facing your deepest desires, when the hunger to become your best self threatens to drown out everything else. An achingly astute look at modern womanhood and wellness culture, it tackles the enduring question: How far would you go to be good?” —NetGalley
What I Liked:
The Now and Then Timelines—As an aspiring writer, I’m always impressed with how an author can write in this style. It really kept the pace moving.
The Pace—I keep mentioning it, but it’s such an important quality of a book and this one really captured the unputdownable quality I think a lot readers crave.
The Characters—I was intrigued by so many of the characters. I often say I am not an investigative journalist so that’s one of the reasons I don’t enjoy thrillers; I don’t want to know if I can’t trust a character. But I found myself wondering that with this book!
The Ending—AHHHHHHHHHHHH. It surprised me. Maybe I’m naive but I didn’t see it coming!
What Didn’t Work for Me:
Nothing—I really think this is a fantastic book and I don’t say that often. It feels well crafted, well paced, and well written, and original in a genre that is often criticized for all just being rip offs of the most popular books.
Character Authenticity: 5/5 Scaredy Cat Rating: 1/5 Overall Rating: 5/5
Content Warnings:
eating disorder, emotional abuse, death of a parent, body shaming, physical abuse
I am not a thriller reader because I am easily scared! But, there is something about the pace of a thriller that always intrigues me. I’ve been a fan of Olivia’s work in many forms for many years and I was thrilled to read her sophomore novel. While I really enjoyed her first book, her second blew me out of the water. I found her writing to have evolved in such a positive and intriguing way. I could not put this book down and read it in just two days. It’s the perfect read for someone who wants the pace of a thriller but there isn’t any gore or nightmare inducing scenes.
Synopsis:
“From the outside, Catharine West’s childhood sounds idyllic—balmy days spent running barefoot through the gardens, plucking ripe tomatoes straight from the vine as sunlight warmed her skin. Her parents built a life that was simple and community-focused, an ethos that soon attracted others in need of a change. For a time, Catharine’s magnetic father was enough to keep the farm thriving, and temptation outside its gates. But as she grew older, the farm and family she was raised to love faded into something darker, forcing Catharine to evolve with it.It’s now been a decade since Catharine abandoned the farm and has done her best to reinvent her life, until an email from a charismatic journalist interrupts her peace. Her first instinct is to ignore the stranger’s prying questions—whether she knew about a mysterious “cult” in central Florida, whether she is the same “Catharine-with-an-A” who lived there for a time. But when she realizes the journalist knows far more than he’s letting on, she reconsiders. If Catharine can stay one step ahead of him, she may be able to find the one thing she never wanted to leave behind—her sister, Linna—and make sure her own secrets remain buried too.Sharp-eyed and sweltering, Little One masterfully captures the dread of facing your deepest desires, when the hunger to become your best self threatens to drown out everything else. An achingly astute look at modern womanhood and wellness culture, it tackles the enduring question: How far would you go to be good?” —NetGalley
What I Liked:
The Now and Then Timelines—As an aspiring writer, I’m always impressed with how an author can write in this style. It really kept the pace moving.
The Pace—I keep mentioning it, but it’s such an important quality of a book and this one really captured the unputdownable quality I think a lot readers crave.
The Characters—I was intrigued by so many of the characters. I often say I am not an investigative journalist so that’s one of the reasons I don’t enjoy thrillers; I don’t want to know if I can’t trust a character. But I found myself wondering that with this book!
The Ending—AHHHHHHHHHHHH. It surprised me. Maybe I’m naive but I didn’t see it coming!
What Didn’t Work for Me:
Nothing—I really think this is a fantastic book and I don’t say that often. It feels well crafted, well paced, and well written, and original in a genre that is often criticized for all just being rip offs of the most popular books.
Character Authenticity: 5/5 Scaredy Cat Rating: 1/5 Overall Rating: 5/5
Content Warnings:
eating disorder, emotional abuse, death of a parent, body shaming, physical abuse
February 18, 2026
An intriguing novel that captured my attention from the get go, so much so I read it in one sitting. With an unreliable narrator and dual then and now timelines, the novel kept me guessing and re-guessing where it was going. The writing is quite nice, which is why I didn't mind so much when late in the book I was able to semi-figure things out. Cannot divulge much without ruining the story for other readers but if you enjoy a well-written, twisty tale, then this one fits the bill.
Disclosure: Received an uncorrected ARC of this book through NetGalley from Hachette Book Group/Little, Brown and Company (Thank you!) in exchange for an honest review.
Disclosure: Received an uncorrected ARC of this book through NetGalley from Hachette Book Group/Little, Brown and Company (Thank you!) in exchange for an honest review.
February 22, 2026
I find cults absolutely fascinating. As soon as I read the synopsis for this book I knew it was going to be a win!
Fantastic storyline! I don't believe I have ever read one centered around a cult with a focus on self improvement/wellness culture. The damage the main characters father/cult leader was inflicting was both heartbreaking and infuriating.
Loved the short chapters and dual timelines between the past and present.
The ending is soooo satisfying and will have your jaw on the floor!
My thanks to HBG Canada and Little Brown for the gifted copy!
Fantastic storyline! I don't believe I have ever read one centered around a cult with a focus on self improvement/wellness culture. The damage the main characters father/cult leader was inflicting was both heartbreaking and infuriating.
Loved the short chapters and dual timelines between the past and present.
The ending is soooo satisfying and will have your jaw on the floor!
My thanks to HBG Canada and Little Brown for the gifted copy!
January 23, 2026
Woah?! This was so good. I listened to the audiobook and started wishing I had an e-arc because I couldn’t stop wanting to dive in! The short chapters and dual timelines kept me so engaged. I felt like the author’s writing was complete poetic and intoxicating. I loved the world of escaping a cult, and also exposing more of the “wellness” culture and how the extreme of this can be so dangerous. The woven themes in this plot were so well done. I loved the characters and found myself to feel like I knew them. The only reason I couldn’t give it five stars, was because the ending was almost too ambiguous that it left me a bit confused. I don’t like feeling that way at the end of a book, but it was still a literary masterpiece in so many ways! The mix of genres (literary thriller/mystery/general fiction) was amazing.
Thank you to NetGalley, Hatchette audio and the author for this ALC in exchange for my honest review!
Thank you to NetGalley, Hatchette audio and the author for this ALC in exchange for my honest review!
April 8, 2026
I really liked Little One, a story about Catharine West who grew up on an isolated farm in Florida, as part of a community led by her father. If this sounds like a cult, well, it was, and it takes Catharine years to truly realize this.
Catharine has put her all that behind her and is now a successful adult, living and working in NYC. She’s vague about her upbringing when asked, until a persistent journalist reaches out about her past. Will Catharine be able to stay ahead of him and shape the story or is he on to her?
It’s no secret I am drawn to cult stories though the execution of them can be hit or miss. Little One was a big hit! The slow building tension, the atmospheric isolated farm, and the alternating now and then timelines, all worked well together. I liked it.
Catharine has put her all that behind her and is now a successful adult, living and working in NYC. She’s vague about her upbringing when asked, until a persistent journalist reaches out about her past. Will Catharine be able to stay ahead of him and shape the story or is he on to her?
It’s no secret I am drawn to cult stories though the execution of them can be hit or miss. Little One was a big hit! The slow building tension, the atmospheric isolated farm, and the alternating now and then timelines, all worked well together. I liked it.
December 28, 2025
A light book about growing up in a cult and leaving. I loved the way this book was written and the back and forth between past and present.. unfortunately I loved the past story more.
February 5, 2026
Little One by Olivia Muenter
In Little One, author Olivia Muenter delivers a searing psychological thriller about Catholice West, a young woman whose seemingly idyllic childhood on a Florida farm shaped by her charismatic father’s wellness‑oriented commune masks a far darker reality, one that gradually unravels in her memory and present life. It has been a decade since Catharine abandoned that past to build a new identity, but when a persistent journalist begins prying into whether she’s the same “Catharine‑with‑an‑A” tied to the controversial group, her carefully constructed life begins to shake and spiral, forcing her to confront what she left behind and the fate of her sister Linna. Muenter uses alternating timelines to heighten suspense and explore deep themes about belonging, control, and the hunger to be “good” in a world obsessed with perfection and wellness culture.
What resonated with me was how this book blends taut, atmospheric tension with Catharine’s emotional journey from awe to disillusionment; her vulnerability and sharp instincts made her a richly layered protagonist. The contrast between the glowing promise of her childhood and the cult’s corrosive reality kept me turning pages, and the novel’s exploration of identity, loyalty, and self‑perception felt both timely and poignant.
4 out of 5: a compelling, unsettling novel that challenges how we reckon with past wounds and the stories we tell about ourselves.
In Little One, author Olivia Muenter delivers a searing psychological thriller about Catholice West, a young woman whose seemingly idyllic childhood on a Florida farm shaped by her charismatic father’s wellness‑oriented commune masks a far darker reality, one that gradually unravels in her memory and present life. It has been a decade since Catharine abandoned that past to build a new identity, but when a persistent journalist begins prying into whether she’s the same “Catharine‑with‑an‑A” tied to the controversial group, her carefully constructed life begins to shake and spiral, forcing her to confront what she left behind and the fate of her sister Linna. Muenter uses alternating timelines to heighten suspense and explore deep themes about belonging, control, and the hunger to be “good” in a world obsessed with perfection and wellness culture.
What resonated with me was how this book blends taut, atmospheric tension with Catharine’s emotional journey from awe to disillusionment; her vulnerability and sharp instincts made her a richly layered protagonist. The contrast between the glowing promise of her childhood and the cult’s corrosive reality kept me turning pages, and the novel’s exploration of identity, loyalty, and self‑perception felt both timely and poignant.
4 out of 5: a compelling, unsettling novel that challenges how we reckon with past wounds and the stories we tell about ourselves.
December 27, 2025
This book caught me off guard so many times and that is absolutely a great thing!! It is an emotional book with a challenging story but beautiful story too!! It’s a thriller with lots of secrets too!! It’s a lot and it’s a great read!!!
It has been ten years since Catharine left the farm that she grew up on and is working hard to leave that in the past. She lost so much there and it’s difficult for her to understand her childhood. There were happy times but also very unhappy times. An email from journalist Reese inquiring about her time at the farm allows so much to resurface. After a few questions from the reporter, It becomes very obvious to her that her memories must be very slanted!! So much will be revealed and Muenter will reveal a lot in the last 25 pages or so!!! Hold on for the wild ride!!
This one will publish on 2/3/26 so get it preordered now!! If you loved the debut by Olivia, SUCH A BAD INFLUENCE, you definitely want to read this gem!!!
It has been ten years since Catharine left the farm that she grew up on and is working hard to leave that in the past. She lost so much there and it’s difficult for her to understand her childhood. There were happy times but also very unhappy times. An email from journalist Reese inquiring about her time at the farm allows so much to resurface. After a few questions from the reporter, It becomes very obvious to her that her memories must be very slanted!! So much will be revealed and Muenter will reveal a lot in the last 25 pages or so!!! Hold on for the wild ride!!
This one will publish on 2/3/26 so get it preordered now!! If you loved the debut by Olivia, SUCH A BAD INFLUENCE, you definitely want to read this gem!!!
March 22, 2026
4.5 Couldn’t put it down. If you enjoy cult stories, I would definitely recommend this book.
April 7, 2026
rounded down bc I was really expecting something... more? at the end.
February 16, 2026
This is probably a hot take and likely says more about me than it does the book but I wanted this to be … edgier? darker?
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