One Slip

by Gregg Bell

‘Finished it in less than four hours…so engrossed I felt I was living it.’—L. Bakke Amazon VINE VOICE reviewer

When Connie Silverstein agreed to babysit her friend’s four-year-old son, she never dreamed it would end in disaster. Now the usually dependable medical student finds herself responsible for the boy’s near drowning and subsequent brain damage.

Connie is desperate to help the boy recover, but the grieving mother no longer trusts her. Consumed by guilt, Connie attempts to deaden her pain with alcohol. But there’s not enough vodka in the world to right the wrong she’s done. Family and friends attempt to intervene in her downward spiral, assuring her that tragic accidents can happen to anyone.

But only Connie knows the terrible secret that what happened was no accident.

What readers are saying about One Slip:

‘Like a riptide, this book pulls you in—and under.’—Cynthiareads

‘hooked from the start’—Staci

‘Fantastic! Grabs you right from the get-go and never lets go.’—Lisa

‘…had me in knots…pushing throughout the night to find out what happened next…it felt heartbreakingly real’—Craves the Angst Book Review Blog

‘…over the edge with wonderment at how someone could capture my attention any better’—Deb H

‘…grabs you and takes you on a journey.’—Julie Blaskie

‘This story tore me apart.’—Denice

‘This story pulls you in, then under…at times you yourself may feel like you’re having trouble breathing.’—Julia Deaton

‘…an emotionally charged roller coaster of a read’—Shannon Fetters

‘…emotionally charged’—Amazon Customer

‘My emotions were all over the place’—lamilo 1562

‘I loved that it pulled at my heartstrings yet still had the edge of suspense that kept me guessing the whole time.’—April Shuffler

‘If you get emotionally attached to characters, have a box of tissues on hand when you read this one. The ending is totally unexpected…but good!’—PTB

‘The ending is perfect!’—escritora

Genres: Psychological Thriller

210 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 18, 2019

About the author

THE PERFECT PROSECUTOR (Book 2 in the Ike Thompson Legal Thriller Series and the sequel to THE PERFECT LAWYER) is released!

Successfully defending an alleged baby killer restored Ike Thompson’s reputation as “the perfect lawyer.” But it also destroyed his practice. Now, a seemingly random attack on a powerful CEO hints at a truth so horrifying, it could cost him everything.

The story was buried on the back pages of a fringe news website: a mentally ill woman randomly attacked the CEO of one of the world’s biggest pharmaceutical companies outside its Chicago headquarters. At first, Ike dismisses it as just another disturbed person roaming the streets, but further investigation reveals that the woman was not mentally ill, the incident not an attack, and that it was not at all random.

As Ike delves deeper, he uncovers evidence of a monstrous scandal that has caused untold thousands to needlessly die agonizing deaths. Exposing the outrage will take him from a search for truth to something much darker than he'd ever imagined—a fight for survival against powerful forces willing to sacrifice anyone to keep their secrets buried.

Get a free legal thriller ebook short story "The Perfect Client" by signing up to Gregg's newsletter: https://bit.ly/ThePerfectClient

Gregg's other books:

THE PERFECT LAWYER (Book 1 in the Ike Thompson Legal Thriller Series) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BPDLLZ92

THE FIND, a thriller, is on Amazon at:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DH4KRAE

MAN OF GOD, a thriller, is on Amazon at: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DH4SSY6

BLOODY SUNRISE, a thriller, is on Amazon at: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07215WLG5

I LOVE YOU I KILL YOU, a thriller, is on Amazon at: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076DS4ZFF

SAVING BABY, a thriller, is on Amazon at: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MTK3KQS

ONE SLIP, a literary thriller, is on Amazon at: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07TD9CQ27

THE TEST, a romance, is on Amazon at: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00U3XKZ86

A WOMAN UNHINGED, a thriller, is on Amazon at: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07H7YR7P6

JAMIE'S GAMBLE, a thriller/romance, is on Amazon at: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DH4KP9C

OOPS-A-NAVY, a humorous thriller, is the first book in the Navy SEAL Misadventure Series. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07F24WDW9

DUPES-A-NAVY, the hilarious follow-up to OOPS-A-NAVY, the second book in the Navy SEAL Misadventure Series. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07JKHQMVZ

YIPPEE KI YAY-A-NAVY #3 in the zany Navy SEAL Misadventure trilogy. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07ZPF9QYR

BETRAYED HEROES, a thriller, is on Amazon at:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08JWV4VCL

Born in Chicago, Illinois, Gregg Bell spent his formative years playing 16" softball, hanging out, and trying not to get into too much trouble until college when he absconded for the University of Florida. There, he took creative writing classes and spent his free time bodysurfing at St. Augustine's gorgeous beach. After his sojourn in the sun, he was drawn back north and attended the University of Notre Dame. Through jobs ranging from laying asphalt to working in corporate America, the one constant in his life was writing. It still is. A lifelong Midwesterner, he lives in suburban Chicago and, like everyone else who lives there, complains about it being too hot in the summer and too cold in the winter.

Visit Gregg's website https://greggbell.net/

Reviews

[Hazel *Craves the Angst Reviews* · Rating 5 out of 5]

Find This and Other Reviews At Craves The Angst.

I received an eARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 Stars!

The Review:
This read made me feel, made me think and had me pushing forward throughout the night to find out what happened next. The story was real and emotionally compelling, and the characters were well developed.

I enjoyed this one a lot!

Story/Characters...
Connie Silverstein is a normal college girl in her fourth year at medical school. She studies hard. She lives a regular life. She’s on track. That is until one slip changes everything forever.

While waiting for her boyfriend to show up, she’s digging through her dresser and discovers a joint left over from her old partying days. Deciding to be adventurous and a little daring, she smokes it. Unfortunately, her best friend Miranda calls with an emergency and needs her to watch her four-year-old son. Thinking she’s okay, she decides she’ll just stay alert and help her friend in need.

But tragedy strikes. The unthinkable happens. And Connie is left with the grim fall-out from one very big mistake.

This story was so well told. It felt heartbreakingly real and truly made me think. There have been times when we’ve all made choices that could have lead to something more extreme. Connie was a good person. She had her whole life ahead of her. But she made a bad choice, and the unintentional results were disastrous. This read was filled with apprehension right from the start. You know right away that something dreadful is about to happen and the author does a brilliant job slowly laying out a road filled with angsts and hardship.

I really felt for this character. The author takes us down a path of deep emotion, strangling guilt and bleak anguish. Connie’s despair grows stronger each day, her cloud of depression darkening with each passing moment. Added on top, was some well-placed family drama that sinched the conflict. The notable tension-filled writing really gives you the sense you can’t trust anyone, right alongside Connie, as she desperately searches for a bit of light in the deep, dark hole she finds herself in. The true-to-life circumstances the author paints for the reader were riveting and kept me absorbed, anxious to see what happened next.

The Wrap Up:
I enjoy Gregg Bell’s stories. They are a step outside of my usual reading sphere, so it’s always a treat to see what he’s got brewing between the pages. One Slip was another well written, beautifully told story to add to his storehouse. It had a great deal of angsts and drama, which I love. It had great conflict, lots of emotion and feels. It had me in knots until the conclusion. And it had an ending that felt hopeful.

Just a wonderful read all around.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

One Slip by Gregg Bell will have you turning pages and holding your breath. This is not a book to start reading in the evening because you will loose sleep reading it until you finish! Connie is a medical student at the top of her class. She answers her friend Miranda's request for help and agrees to watch her four-year old boy while Miranda's daughter is undergoing surgery. Things do not go well for Connie and Todd nearly drowns, and now has brain damage.

This story takes you through drug abuse, alcohol abuse, emotional issues and so many other emotions that will have you on a roller coaster. The plot and characters are well developed and you will feel everything they are experiencing. Be prepared to lose sleep once you start reading. I highly recommend this book.

[blueyed_cntry_girl · Rating 5 out of 5]

One slip is all it takes to ruin your life. Ever make a mistake and try to fix it? Well this is an emotional story about Connie. I was captivated from the beginning and had to keep reading to find out what happened. Her character was believable and the story about one terrible mistake shows how much can be affected by it.

[Cynthia Gould · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gripping… but not for the faint of heart!

Like a riptide, this book pulls you in – and under. A harrowing, intense read that takes you deep into the mental anguish of a person plagued by guilt. The mind games we play with ourselves in extremis are chillingly portrayed.

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

One Slip was fast paced, intense and a very good read.the characters were believable and you can’t help but care about them and want it all to work out.

I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good, easy, no frills story. The main character, trying to right a wrong, was a little annoying at times but her actions were all justifed in her mind. Several sub problems popped up but the author handled them successfully without a lot of unnecessary details.

[Rosemary · Rating 4 out of 5]

One Slip - a review by Rosemary Kenny

A 'what if...?' psychological literary post-mortem of the tragic (true?), story of one woman's drink and drug-addled descent into Hell, after the eponymous one slip. Gregg Bell probes and delicately dispenses guidance for your moral and personal values as well as a veiled warning not to go there - and what might happen when one 'dabbles'/relapses, before sinking into substance abusive, (temporary/permanent if persisted in) depravity - or worse.
The only thing that disappointed me in the slightest was the rather rushed epilogue, that tied up everything in a neat little HEA, which I thought rather trite and unrealistic in such a (seemingly), short timespan.
That apart, I would highly recommend Gregg Bell's versatility in writing style - he has written several very different books in a variety of genres - and this book too - get your copy today and have a nice cup of tea of a coffee with it - the story is strong enough to satisfy on its own!

[Coco.V]

🎁 FREE on Amazon today (6/27/2019)! 🎁

[Kathryn Schuetts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this book straight through in one sitting. I absolutely couldn’t put it down.

[Saundra Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a gripping, thought provoking, emotional story. How do we cope with tragedy as humans? Do we pick ourselves up an go on? Or do we allow regret and guilt to debilitate our lives? There are as many answers as there are people. Read One Slip and explore how one day, one slip can change the course of one’s life!

Connie had her life together. She was in her last year of medical school. She had obtained a prestigious internship and was very near the top of her class. Connie came from an affluent family. Her father, a lawyer, was running for D. A. Her twin sister was married, to a lawyer, and settled into a comfortable life.

Connie’s family didn’t care for her choice of boyfriend, but he was definitely a step up from the losers she had dated in the past. In high school, her boyfriend introduced her to the world of illegal drug use. In fact, she spent time in rehab. But now that was all behind her and her future looked bright.

That is until one fateful weekend that changes everything for Connie. A debilitating accident occurs to her best friend’s son while he is in Connie’s care. Now her life is filled with guilt and remorse. Connie finds herself caught in a downward spiral that threatens to derail all the plans she had for her future.

How can anything in her life matter when she is the reason for a little boy’s life changing so drastically? It doesn’t help that her sister is constantly on her back. Even trouble in her normally stable family can’t reach her.

Will this one event, this one slip, be the end of a bright future?

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Einstein said that God did not gamble. Pascal's Wager though suggests that if one bets one the existence of God, then eternal salvation can be won - if there is no God, then it is no loss. Not taking the chance that there is a God means there is no chance to win salvation.

Connie Silverstein is the pampered daughter of a prominent Jewish politician. Both seem to bend the rules a bit, and not always for righteous causes.

Part of Connie's long struggle with drug use, especially opiates, is an accidental drowning of the child of a friend - while Connie was stoned. No proof exists after the fact, but serious depression and survivor's guilt are certainly a problem.

This is a far cry from the many ironic / humorous novels I have grown accustomed to by Bell - and it hits very close to the heart of many things - great pain and struggles that are more than skin deep when dealing with addiction , for example, are a big part of that.

relative cost of an action is an issue as well - Connie can do more as a future physician for the long term welfare of others - but would she have gotten off with self inflicted punishment alone if she had been just a nanny or other low paid non-native?

justice, pain and suffering are all relative in this story - and the mother of the toddler who slips away finds peace she so wants to share with Connie.

a moving yet painful read!

[Pete · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very powerful piece of writing detailing a young woman's mistake and the terrible consequences it causes. The lead character, Connie, seems to be very believable, although I have never had any experience of anyone who abuses drugs or alcohol to compare her with, so this is a subjective assessment.
The portrayal of her decline as she simultaneously tries to hide in a bottle; rectify the results of her mistake and deal with her demanding sister and controlling father is very convincing.
Although Connie's character is laid out very clearly, I did feel that the other characters were a little two dimensional, and I didn't really feel that I knew them, even by the end of the book.
I would have given this 5 stars, but even though I thought that it was extremely well written, I just didn't really enjoy it, it is what I would call a 'worthy' book, a cautionary tale about, in particular, alcohol dependance, something that is definitely worth reading, but not necessarily enjoyable for me.
I received an advance copy of the book from the author, but have voluntarily written this honest review.

[Annemarie · Rating 5 out of 5]

An emotional roller coaster read. It's been a long time since a character in a novel has angered me as much as Connie has. Her decision to look after her best friend's young son when she was mentally impaired and to compound this by agreeing to take him to the beach, was inexcusable.
Connie's actions that day caused so much grief to those she professed to love and the near derailment of her medical studies.
Did I feel sorry for her? Not in the least! The guilt she felt was justified. Her downhill spiral and reliance on alcohol, predictable. Her self loathing and belief that everyone was against her, understandable.
When Connie was at her absolute lowest, salvation came from the person least expected to give it.
One Slip explores the devastating effects which a slip in judgement could cause. A very thought provoking read. Happy reading. Annemarie

[Laura Maloziec · Rating 5 out of 5]

At first I wasn’t sure if I would finish this story. I was utterly shocked and depressed after the story started to unfold. It all started with one bad decision. The first thing I thought when she initially threw the joint away was why she didn’t destroy it. She had a garbage disposal that was mentioned later in the story. Then I started thinking how an addict thinks. You never burn bridges of any kind.
So it was inevitable that she would smoke the joint. And of course as it usually does it was also laced with PCP.
From that point on things snowballed in the events of her life but also in her head. She becomes so overwrought with guilty she totally loses it and almost pays the ultimate price.
I couldn’t put the book down. My emotions were all over the place even having me in tears at one point. Not what I expected when I started but would recommend this book to anyone.

[Dawn Simonsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ever have one of those days where you know you made a mistake but did not know how bad it really was. Well Connie made her mistake, slip, and no matter how she tries to make it right there is someone in her way to prevent her from doing so. These include a host of well developed characters from an ex high school stoner boyfriend to her own twin sister. This was a non stop read for me to find out how she was going to get through this wall of human obstacles to find peace for herself. I got this book free for an honest review. I am honored to have the privilege to read it as it helped me deal with all my “one slips” that never got closure.

[Deb (D L) Hartman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was over the edge with wonderment at how someone could capture my attention any better than Gregg Bell. His knowledge of some of the seedier sides of life gave so much realism to his prose. His characters were riveting. His portrayal of the female lead was insightful. The book was filled with mystery, edginess, drama, and riveting characters. I was given the book as an ARC. No obligation to review. BUT, I just can't say enough great things about this book or the author.

[Judy Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a good book. I thought it was a thriller that I really enjoyed. Great job Gregg. Loved it

[Joan · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read more than a third of this one. It was tedious reading, glacial plot development; I decided to move on to something else.

[Bob · Rating 5 out of 5]

How do you survive a private hell of grief brought on by a stupid mistake?

Author Gregg Bell, whom I had thought was a comedy writer, describes for us the far-reaching effects of grief, stupidity, and lack of courage. And this from the female point of view. I, of course, cannot verify that this description of such anguish is accurate, but it is chilling. A book that makes you take a hard look at yourself and your life. Read this in a well-lit room; it's not a tale for dark stormy nights.

I received a free copy of this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

One Slip is a bittersweet, psychological thriller that travels deep into the heart and mind of Connie Silverstein. A 4th year student at Rush medical school in Chicago, her future is looking bright. She had some difficulties in the past and what she doesn't count on is that her rebellious side of dabbling in drugs would come back to haunt her. In a drawer, tucked away, she finds an old joint that must have been there forever. It must be her ex-boyfriend's. Just one won't hurt, will it? The inner argument she has whether to smoke it or not is perfectly vivid. Connie's friend, Miranda, calls from the hospital where she's with her daughter who had an accident with a scissor. Can she come and pick up her son, Todd, and watch him until she leaves the hospital? Sure, but she's starting to feel a little odd. Even so, she and Todd find a spot on the beach to enjoy the day. Soon, everybody's laughing at her and they're sounding really strange! Where's Todd? What do you mean he may not survive?! What did she do! She makes a bold plan to have him see the neurologist she admires most from her medical school classes, but it means that she has to carry it out by herself. What she does is frantic, desperate and an ultimate disappointment. That was her final shot at redeeming herself and she's consumed by guilt. There's no reason why she should live, when she killed Todd. The ending is perfect and can best be described as an act of grace. Gregg Bell creates a story with great character development and a captivating mystery/plot throughout. Well done!

[Leslie Bakke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone has regrets. Have you ever done something that you knew you shouldn’t have done? Even though, you had the best of intentions for doing it? This is the premise of One Slip, Gregg Bell’s newest book. The main protagonist, Connie Silverman, is a hardworking med student. She seems to have charmed life .She had some problems during high school, but believes that she has conquered them. She tries to be a consequential thinker, but she has a tendency to talk herself into doing what she really wants to do. She makes a very poor decision to smoke a joint, just this one last time; hoping that no one finds out. Unfortunately, an emergency arises and Connie goes against her own judgment to help out a friend. Her just this one time leads to devastating consequences.
One Slip is one of the most intriguing books that I have read lately. I downloaded it and was finished in less than for four hours. The plotline was mindboggling. Mr. Bell did a fantastic job with character development. I was so engrossed in this story that I felt that I was living it. My emotions were all over the place. At times, I wished someone would just jack-slap Connie to knock some sense into her. As the story progressed, I wondered if she had lost all traces of sanity.
If you enjoy a good mystery/ thriller, then One Slip is the book for you.

[Elsa Hoffmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love these books by Gregg Bell. He has a way of getting into the soul of events, opening the hearts of characters who are very real and very normal. He doesn't make them heroes or special. It could be you or me, anyone can make one slip.

In fact we have all of us made a mistake. Usually those can be fixed and hopefully they are. What if the mistake cannot be fixed? What if this mistake, this one stupid stupid slip, leaves a trail of destruction and heartache? And you try to fix it and whatever you do just makes it worse? You are under pressure from yourself and you know there is nothing you can ever do to make this better. This is what this book is about.

One stupid choice that changes lives in a heartbeat. A riptide that rips apart friends, family, and children.

It's about the very long road to forgiveness, the baby steps to bring family and friends together tentatively. Because nothing is like it was before...

This would make an excellent movie.

I received a copy of this book from Mr Bell and I'm very grateful that I could read it. This review has no strings attached and is totally honest. Now, of course, I'm waiting for the next one...

[Pete · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very powerful piece of writing detailing a young woman's mistake and the terrible consequences it causes. The lead character, Connie, seems to be very believable, although I have never had any experience of anyone who abuses drugs or alcohol to compare her with, so this is a subjective assessment.
The portrayal of her decline as she simultaneously tries to hide in a bottle; rectify the results of her mistake and deal with her demanding sister and controlling father is very convincing.
Although Connie's character is laid out very clearly, I did feel that the other characters were a little two dimensional, and I didn't really feel that I knew them, even by the end of the book.
I would have given this 5 stars, but even though I thought that it was extremely well written, I just didn't really enjoy it, it is what I would call a 'worthy' book, a cautionary tale about, in particular, alcohol dependance, something that is definitely worth reading, but not necessarily enjoyable for me.
I received an advance copy of the book from the author, but have voluntarily written this honest review.

[Oralee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gregg Bell's One Slip takes the reader on a journey of how one wrong choice can have a domino effect and lead to so many consequences.
Connie has not had the easiest life but she is finally on the right track, no more bad boys, medical school and a bright future on the horizon. Then a chance find leads her to choose the wrong track and she is thrown into a hell of her own making. When her friends son ends up torn out to sea and now clinging to life Connie spirals downwards overcome with guilt and regret. Will salvation find her or is her path of destruction going to be the end.
Engaging and emotional this book makes the reader think hard about some of the "harmless" choices we may have made and how but for "One Slip" our lives could be changed forever.

[Pat Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A unique story

After reading the write up about this story, I did not want to read it! I was sure I wpuld hate it, but I read it anyway. I did hate parts of it. I hated an intelligent girl falling for the addictive temptation to smoke the weed she found in her sock drawer. Why would a straight-A medical student do such an idiotic thing? And why would she stupidly agree to babysit her friend Miranda's 4-year old son while under the influence of drugs, not just weed, but strongly halsogenic, laced with LSD?
Why not ask for help once she realised she was high? Why flirt with the lifeguard for a moment, which allowed her friend's the little boy to wander into the water and be dragged away by a rip tide? A horrible story - yet, it wasn't.

[Audrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an emotional and sad story! It deals with one woman's tragic mistake when babysitting her friend's four-year-old son. The guilt for Connie was all consuming! If only she didn’t agree to watch the little boy, if only she didn’t smoke a laced joint before agreeing to take him, if only.... this story is of Connie’s guilt and how she can’t deal with it. This once promising too of her class medical students guilt slowly destroys her life. This book is about guilt and grief and how people deal with it and eventually come out the other side. It was a very emotional and sad story with a spark of hope in the end.

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an incredible book. One that I couldn't put down.

Connie agrees to babysit for her very best friend. She is feeling overwhelmed and decides that the joint she found won't hurt anything if she smokes it. What can it hurt, right, it's just one joint. She takes Todd to the beach and things go very, very wrong. She is the only one who knows that the "accident" really wasn't and the guilt is eating her up inside. She turns to the bottle for relief but that only makes thing worse.

You can't go wrong reading this one!!

[Ellen White · Rating 4 out of 5]

Connie dealing with choices, some have led her down the wrong path .
Apartment now that was drug free and alcohol free. Finding in a drawer, someone must of stashed it in there she indulges once again. An emergency and she is now needed to watch her friends boy.
She is a medical student, fourth year and at the top of the class. A mistake she tries to correct, sends her down into depression .
A gripping story, well done.

[DENICE · Rating 5 out of 5]

THINK BEFORE YOU ACT, COWARDICE CAN RUIN LOTS OF LIVES

This story tore me apart. Mr. Bell got into Connie’s sadness and frame of mind like no other author I’ve read before. The guilt rolled of the pages and into my heart. I felt as if I was Connie. A more consuming story has never been written. I enjoyed the way that Connie’s every thought and decision was played out to the fullest. One Slip makes you think over the decisions you have made in your life and ones that you may make.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

One mistake can ruin your life! This story follows Connie after her “One Slip” and shows how her life and the lives of others are drastically altered by this one mistake. This gripping story forces the reader to consider what can happen from the silly bad decisions that each of us make everyday. You constantly are hoping that everything will work out for the best. This book was a very interesting, thrilling, and thought provoking read.