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It's One of Us
Everybody lies. Even the ones you think you know best of all . . .
Olivia Bender designs exquisite home interiors that satisfy the most demanding clients. But her own deepest desire can't be fulfilled by marble counters or the perfect rug. She desperately wants to be a mother. Fertility treatments and IVF keep failing. And just when she feels she's at her lowest point, the police deliver shocking news to Olivia and her husband, Park.
DNA results show that the prime suspect in a murder investigation is Park's son. Olivia is relieved, knowing this is a mistake. Despite their desire, the Benders don't have any children. Then comes the confession. Many years ago, Park donated sperm to a clinic. He has no idea how many times it was sold-or how many children he has sired.
As the murder investigation goes deeper, more terrible truths come to light. With every revelation, Olivia must face the unthinkable. The man she married has fathered a killer. But can she hold that against him when she keeps such dark secrets of her own?
This twisting, emotionally layered thriller explores the lies we tell to keep a marriage together--or break each other apart . . .
Olivia Bender designs exquisite home interiors that satisfy the most demanding clients. But her own deepest desire can't be fulfilled by marble counters or the perfect rug. She desperately wants to be a mother. Fertility treatments and IVF keep failing. And just when she feels she's at her lowest point, the police deliver shocking news to Olivia and her husband, Park.
DNA results show that the prime suspect in a murder investigation is Park's son. Olivia is relieved, knowing this is a mistake. Despite their desire, the Benders don't have any children. Then comes the confession. Many years ago, Park donated sperm to a clinic. He has no idea how many times it was sold-or how many children he has sired.
As the murder investigation goes deeper, more terrible truths come to light. With every revelation, Olivia must face the unthinkable. The man she married has fathered a killer. But can she hold that against him when she keeps such dark secrets of her own?
This twisting, emotionally layered thriller explores the lies we tell to keep a marriage together--or break each other apart . . .
593 pages, Hardcover
First published February 28, 2023
2522 people are currently reading
57435 people want to read
About the author
J.T. Ellison
81 books6,863 followersJ.T. Ellison is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than 30 novels, and the EMMY® award winning co-host of the literary TV show A WORD ON WORDS. She also writes fantasy under the pen name Joss Walker.
With millions of books in print, her work has won critical acclaim and prestigious awards They have also been optioned for television, and published in 28 countries.
J.T. lives in Nashville with her husband and twin kittens, one of whom is a ghost, where she is hard at work on her next novel.
With millions of books in print, her work has won critical acclaim and prestigious awards They have also been optioned for television, and published in 28 countries.
J.T. lives in Nashville with her husband and twin kittens, one of whom is a ghost, where she is hard at work on her next novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 4,026 reviews
February 14, 2023
Let me start off by saying that this book addresses infertility and miscarriage. It is a major plot thread through most of the book and it starts right from the very first chapter. If this is a sensitive issue for you, first know that the author knows your pain, this is something she has personally experienced and she addresses that in the author's note at the end. But second, realize that it may be too much for you to handle, particularly if the experience for you is fresh and raw.
Books that explore DNA links found through home tests that lead to crime solving are all the rage these days. This book looks at it from a different angle and it is unique and interesting. The police come to Park and Olivia's house. A body has been found and the DNA results show that the culprit is Park's son. The problem? Park and Olivia don't have any children due to infertility struggles, and as far as Park knows, he doesn't have a child with anyone else. Soon though, he reveals that he donated sperm many years ago. As the police investigate, they discover that Park shares DNA with many offspring. Despite promises from the clinic, they have sold his sperm to a large number of people. Can they find the offspring responsible?
I enjoyed the twists in this story, but, as with many books lately, some of the things that occur are just eye-rolling and over the top. The core mystery was fascinating, and how everything is uncovered and investigated kept me intrigued and involved in the story. However the Park/Darla/Scarlett storyline was just silly and I couldn't believe how quickly he went from being devoted to Olivia to not caring at all what she was thinking or feeling. I get that the infertility was wearing on both of them, but to completely discount her opinions and thoughts was outright cruel and heartless.
Although the mystery itself isn't very surprising (we basically know the identity of the bad guy from the start), the why and how of the situations and the different characters' motivations are what propel the story forward. Another captivating story from Ellison, if a little slow and uneven in parts.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
January 5, 2024
This was really good! Loved the pacing, the mystery had me hooooked, I never knew who I could trust. The ending felt a little anticlimactic and rushed but other than that I enjoyed my time with this one.
March 18, 2023
TW: Miscarriages and infertility
Normally, I don't start my review with a trigger warning, but because this story hits you hard on this topic right out of the gate, I feel some readers who may be sensitive to it may wish to know sooner than later.
3.5⭐
Olivia and Park Bender get a surprise visit from Nashville detectives when the suspect's DNA in a homicide case is partially matched to Park. The detectives are looking for his son. This comes as a huge shock to Olivia who has been trying to conceive through a series of procedures.
This was a very entertaining thriller with twists and turns. I can feel Olivia's struggles throughout the book. I think it was well paced and I never felt bored at any point. The final reveal really was good but I don't understand the ending (how in the world did... never mind, no spoiler here) but wish we get a different ending! I almost drop this down to three stars but the author's note which shouldn't be missed is heartbreaking and so personal that I only can bump this up to 4 stars.
I love Julia Whelan's performance for the audiobook!
(🎧on Hoopla)
Normally, I don't start my review with a trigger warning, but because this story hits you hard on this topic right out of the gate, I feel some readers who may be sensitive to it may wish to know sooner than later.
3.5⭐
Olivia and Park Bender get a surprise visit from Nashville detectives when the suspect's DNA in a homicide case is partially matched to Park. The detectives are looking for his son. This comes as a huge shock to Olivia who has been trying to conceive through a series of procedures.
This was a very entertaining thriller with twists and turns. I can feel Olivia's struggles throughout the book. I think it was well paced and I never felt bored at any point. The final reveal really was good but I don't understand the ending (how in the world did... never mind, no spoiler here) but wish we get a different ending! I almost drop this down to three stars but the author's note which shouldn't be missed is heartbreaking and so personal that I only can bump this up to 4 stars.
I love Julia Whelan's performance for the audiobook!
(🎧on Hoopla)
June 10, 2023
I’m confident in saying this will be the worst book I read all year. The premise looked so good, but holy cow, I hated this so much. I’m convinced I didn’t read the same book as most of y’all because how is this so highly rated? Everything about it was ridiculous. If I had a dollar for every complaint I had, I’d have enough money to pay to have this book permanently removed from my memory. This started out with one of the most confusing prologues I’ve ever read (a body was decomposing in a lake long enough for several generations of creatures to eat her but she was actually only there for 3 weeks?) and went quickly downhill from there. I had a full page of complaints before I even finished the first chapter. It took me forever to read this because I had to stop and rant to someone about almost every paragraph. Not exaggerating. Yikes.
The writing was awful and ridiculous. The main character wanted to get pregnant so she could “join her sisters in the fertility arts.” Come on. Also, she felt her baby’s pulse while she was so early in her pregnancy that the baby didn’t even have a heart yet? Her husband “scented her blood” after her miscarriage because he was “so attuned to her cycle?” This was just one chapter! I could go on all day. And don’t even get me started on all the obnoxiously unnecessary thesaurus words thrown in every page. It literally felt like the author wrote the entire book and then went back to each page, closed her eyes and pointed to a random word, and used a thesaurus to swap it out. As if that wasn’t bad enough, there were also so many dumb cliches (every day when school is over, every teenage girl hugs all her “BFFs” and goes to Starbucks! 🙄), especially in the dialogue. Most of the conversations were stilted and weird and not how people actually talk. Convinced that either the author has never actually interacted with anyone or an AI chatbot really wrote this.
And the characters were so incredibly unlikable. I feel like that’s partly because the writing was so bad, but also they were super whiny and just generally awful people, so was it all bad writing? They sucked and I hated them and didn’t care about them at all. I get infertility is hard, but it was the main character’s ENTIRE personality. She rarely had a single thought that didn’t involve her lack of kids because she was only “put on this earth to fulfill one essential biological duty: procreate.” She literally keyed a stranger’s car solely because she overheard the woman announcing her pregnancy to her family in a restaurant. Any time she encountered anyone who was a mom, there were at least a few sentences about how she wanted to murder them. And if I had to hear one more character talk about how letting her husband donate sperm to “leave a piece of himself behind” was a “damn gracious gift,” I would’ve lost it. I felt like I was reading a Riley Sager book, and I’m in shock that a woman wrote this.
Even if you can get past all that, there was barely a plot. I predicted the murderer at about 25% and then he was revealed halfway through (what thriller does this lmao what), so the entire second half of the book was completely pointless and stupid. His motives were never really explained, and I could’ve DNFed without missing a thing. Nothing about this was suspenseful, thrilling, or kept my attention. There were also so many plot holes and contradictions and the ending was just laughable. Such a ridiculously unbelievable book. Concerned for everyone who thinks this was a good book and concerned for my poor brain after enduring this literary torture.
The writing was awful and ridiculous. The main character wanted to get pregnant so she could “join her sisters in the fertility arts.” Come on. Also, she felt her baby’s pulse while she was so early in her pregnancy that the baby didn’t even have a heart yet? Her husband “scented her blood” after her miscarriage because he was “so attuned to her cycle?” This was just one chapter! I could go on all day. And don’t even get me started on all the obnoxiously unnecessary thesaurus words thrown in every page. It literally felt like the author wrote the entire book and then went back to each page, closed her eyes and pointed to a random word, and used a thesaurus to swap it out. As if that wasn’t bad enough, there were also so many dumb cliches (every day when school is over, every teenage girl hugs all her “BFFs” and goes to Starbucks! 🙄), especially in the dialogue. Most of the conversations were stilted and weird and not how people actually talk. Convinced that either the author has never actually interacted with anyone or an AI chatbot really wrote this.
And the characters were so incredibly unlikable. I feel like that’s partly because the writing was so bad, but also they were super whiny and just generally awful people, so was it all bad writing? They sucked and I hated them and didn’t care about them at all. I get infertility is hard, but it was the main character’s ENTIRE personality. She rarely had a single thought that didn’t involve her lack of kids because she was only “put on this earth to fulfill one essential biological duty: procreate.” She literally keyed a stranger’s car solely because she overheard the woman announcing her pregnancy to her family in a restaurant. Any time she encountered anyone who was a mom, there were at least a few sentences about how she wanted to murder them. And if I had to hear one more character talk about how letting her husband donate sperm to “leave a piece of himself behind” was a “damn gracious gift,” I would’ve lost it. I felt like I was reading a Riley Sager book, and I’m in shock that a woman wrote this.
Even if you can get past all that, there was barely a plot. I predicted the murderer at about 25% and then he was revealed halfway through (what thriller does this lmao what), so the entire second half of the book was completely pointless and stupid. His motives were never really explained, and I could’ve DNFed without missing a thing. Nothing about this was suspenseful, thrilling, or kept my attention. There were also so many plot holes and contradictions and the ending was just laughable. Such a ridiculously unbelievable book. Concerned for everyone who thinks this was a good book and concerned for my poor brain after enduring this literary torture.
October 30, 2023
This reminded me of find you first by Barclay, due to the secret donor children. This one had an exciting angle as well, where one of the donor children is a murderer, but who? This was enough to hook me in, and it kept the suspense going. I was also impressed by the writing. The beginning of the book showed me the authors talent, because the descriptions of the dead girl were vivid enough to make me feel like I was there. I liked the characters and the alternations between them worked very well!
Well done 🤩
Well done 🤩
March 20, 2023
Oh, what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive.
J.T. Ellison spins quite the web of deception in her latest thriller It’s One of Us.
Let me be clear from the start: this is not a frightening leave-the-lights-on-thriller. It’s all too scary in a completely different way.
What would you do if you learned that not only do you have a child you didn’t know about, but that child — now an adult — might be a rapist and killer?
I know, roll your eyes, the premise is so crazy that it nearly borders on implausibility.
Ready? Let’s dive in.
DNA results show that the prime suspect in a Nashville murder investigation is Park Bender’s son, except… wait for it… the Benders don’t have any children.
Olivia and Park Bender seem to be living the dream. She owns a successful design firm and he’s a ghostwriter for a popular novelist.
But their greatest desire goes unfulfilled as Olivia miscarries pregnancy after pregnancy. The couple’s fertility struggles, including the years and money they’ve invested, have taken a toll on their marriage.
She feels like a failure.
Olivia's story is rooted in the author's own experiences, and feels very raw and real.
Ellison takes a hard look at marital secrets, infertility, mental illness, nature versus nurture, and the moral and ethical issues of the unregulated industry of sperm donation.
Running parallel to the search for the crime culprit is a dissection of a marriage in crisis. The cracks in the foundation are widening with every disclosure.
We eventually learn that as a college student, Park earned a bit of extra cash by donating sperm.
Oopsy, never disclosed that bit of info to Olivia before. So when they learn that he has at least 28 offspring walking around, needless to say, they are both bug-eyed.
It’s One of Us has numerous narrators — The Husband; The Wife; The Mother; The Daughter; The Brother; The Cops — and jumping between them with each new chapter allows us to gain insight into the characters’ thoughts and actions while keeping the story moving.
I hope you like rollercoasters. The thrills come from taking the twists and turns at rapid speed. Hang on. It’s a wild ride, for sure.
J.T. Ellison spins quite the web of deception in her latest thriller It’s One of Us.
Let me be clear from the start: this is not a frightening leave-the-lights-on-thriller. It’s all too scary in a completely different way.
What would you do if you learned that not only do you have a child you didn’t know about, but that child — now an adult — might be a rapist and killer?
I know, roll your eyes, the premise is so crazy that it nearly borders on implausibility.
Ready? Let’s dive in.
DNA results show that the prime suspect in a Nashville murder investigation is Park Bender’s son, except… wait for it… the Benders don’t have any children.
Olivia and Park Bender seem to be living the dream. She owns a successful design firm and he’s a ghostwriter for a popular novelist.
But their greatest desire goes unfulfilled as Olivia miscarries pregnancy after pregnancy. The couple’s fertility struggles, including the years and money they’ve invested, have taken a toll on their marriage.
She feels like a failure.
Olivia's story is rooted in the author's own experiences, and feels very raw and real.
Ellison takes a hard look at marital secrets, infertility, mental illness, nature versus nurture, and the moral and ethical issues of the unregulated industry of sperm donation.
Running parallel to the search for the crime culprit is a dissection of a marriage in crisis. The cracks in the foundation are widening with every disclosure.
We eventually learn that as a college student, Park earned a bit of extra cash by donating sperm.
Oopsy, never disclosed that bit of info to Olivia before. So when they learn that he has at least 28 offspring walking around, needless to say, they are both bug-eyed.
It’s One of Us has numerous narrators — The Husband; The Wife; The Mother; The Daughter; The Brother; The Cops — and jumping between them with each new chapter allows us to gain insight into the characters’ thoughts and actions while keeping the story moving.
I hope you like rollercoasters. The thrills come from taking the twists and turns at rapid speed. Hang on. It’s a wild ride, for sure.
March 4, 2023
It’s One of Us by J.T. Ellison is a suspenseful thriller novel. The story in It’s One of Us is one that is told by alternating the point of view between central characters. This title is one that deals with the sensitive issue of infertility and miscarriage if those may be a trigger point to some it may be best to avoid.
Olivia and Park have been trying for a child for quite some time and just as things feel like they may work out Olivia finds that again it’s not in the cards for her. Just as Olivia is trying to wrap her head around another failure police come calling for Park.
Years ago Park donated sperm and now DNA results have led to his doorstep when it seems a child fathered by Park could be a killer. The fact that Park is already a father is a lot for Olivia to wrap her head around but being tossed into a police investigation on top of it all has her questioning everything.
J.T. Ellison is one of those authors that has never failed to draw me quickly into a story so I was excited to get to this latest novel. DNA testing stories seem to be popping up a lot these days and I’ll admit I find them fascinating so I wasn’t surprised I enjoyed this. There were of course plenty of twists and turns along the way that kept the pages flying by as I read and the author did a good job bringing the characters struggles to life. Definitely an author I’ll keep returning to in the future.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
Olivia and Park have been trying for a child for quite some time and just as things feel like they may work out Olivia finds that again it’s not in the cards for her. Just as Olivia is trying to wrap her head around another failure police come calling for Park.
Years ago Park donated sperm and now DNA results have led to his doorstep when it seems a child fathered by Park could be a killer. The fact that Park is already a father is a lot for Olivia to wrap her head around but being tossed into a police investigation on top of it all has her questioning everything.
J.T. Ellison is one of those authors that has never failed to draw me quickly into a story so I was excited to get to this latest novel. DNA testing stories seem to be popping up a lot these days and I’ll admit I find them fascinating so I wasn’t surprised I enjoyed this. There were of course plenty of twists and turns along the way that kept the pages flying by as I read and the author did a good job bringing the characters struggles to life. Definitely an author I’ll keep returning to in the future.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
March 10, 2023
It's One of Us was a highly anticipated read for 2023. JT Ellison has been an auto read author for me for many years and I was super excited when this one landed on my doorstep. I started reading it immediately. JT's writing had me hooked and that Prologue was just amazing. How could you not want more after reading that.
Olivia and Park Bender's life is about to be turned upside down. They have been desperately trying to have a baby but have suffered multiple heartbreaks. Olivia wants a child more than anything in her life but she isn;t sure she can take much more of this. And then the police come knocking. A woman has been found murdered, and DNA at the scene is a match for Park's. But not his DNA, the DNA of his son's. How is this possible? He finally admits to donating sperm as a college student, so this may not be his only child.
Get ready for twist after crazy twist. It is an emotional story; Olivia feels betrayed and hurt. How could her husband keep something like this from her. And now his son is a murderer. The past will come back to haunt Park and their marriage is a breaking point. Every revelation brings more and more questions.
Another 5 star read from this amazing author. I stayed up late into the night to finish it and it was worth every lost wink of sleep.
Thanks to Harlequin Australia for sending me this advanced copy to read. Publishes in Australia on March 8th.
Olivia and Park Bender's life is about to be turned upside down. They have been desperately trying to have a baby but have suffered multiple heartbreaks. Olivia wants a child more than anything in her life but she isn;t sure she can take much more of this. And then the police come knocking. A woman has been found murdered, and DNA at the scene is a match for Park's. But not his DNA, the DNA of his son's. How is this possible? He finally admits to donating sperm as a college student, so this may not be his only child.
Get ready for twist after crazy twist. It is an emotional story; Olivia feels betrayed and hurt. How could her husband keep something like this from her. And now his son is a murderer. The past will come back to haunt Park and their marriage is a breaking point. Every revelation brings more and more questions.
Another 5 star read from this amazing author. I stayed up late into the night to finish it and it was worth every lost wink of sleep.
Thanks to Harlequin Australia for sending me this advanced copy to read. Publishes in Australia on March 8th.
January 13, 2023
3.5 stars.
TRIGGER WARNING: I normally do not post trigger warnings, but this book takes place within an extreme infertility emotional environment. I want to make sure to make that clear before I get started.
JT Ellison is an auto-read author, so I was really excited to pick up her latest book, IT'S ONE OF US! This book mainly features Olivia Bender and her husband Park. After DNA links Olivia's husband to a murder, the couple finds out that Park has fathered a child that is possibly the culprit. However, Park and Olivia are currently struggling to get pregnant and start a family of their own. When Park admits to donating sperm in his early 20s, the couple questions if there's any other children that have resulted from Park's donation. What can the couple expect to happen now that they know he has fathered a murderer?
This book is less mystery and more social commentary now that I think about it. I was able to quickly guess the killer and the ending, but the story really dives into the struggles of infertility. This story can be triggering at times, so just please be careful with this one if this is a trigger for you. I love all JT Ellison's books, no matter the story itself, because she's such a talented author. Although this mystery was a bit more predictable than I would've liked, I still ultimately enjoyed it and will continue to read ANYTHING JT Ellison writes for us mystery / thriller readers.
TRIGGER WARNING: I normally do not post trigger warnings, but this book takes place within an extreme infertility emotional environment. I want to make sure to make that clear before I get started.
JT Ellison is an auto-read author, so I was really excited to pick up her latest book, IT'S ONE OF US! This book mainly features Olivia Bender and her husband Park. After DNA links Olivia's husband to a murder, the couple finds out that Park has fathered a child that is possibly the culprit. However, Park and Olivia are currently struggling to get pregnant and start a family of their own. When Park admits to donating sperm in his early 20s, the couple questions if there's any other children that have resulted from Park's donation. What can the couple expect to happen now that they know he has fathered a murderer?
This book is less mystery and more social commentary now that I think about it. I was able to quickly guess the killer and the ending, but the story really dives into the struggles of infertility. This story can be triggering at times, so just please be careful with this one if this is a trigger for you. I love all JT Ellison's books, no matter the story itself, because she's such a talented author. Although this mystery was a bit more predictable than I would've liked, I still ultimately enjoyed it and will continue to read ANYTHING JT Ellison writes for us mystery / thriller readers.
October 30, 2023
Despite a glamorous career as an interior designer for the wealthy, Olivia Bender’s life still feels unfulfilled. She would gladly sacrifice her perfect life for one thing. A child. But fate has not been her friend. Over the past two years she has endured one fertility treatment after another ranging the gamut from IUI to IVF only to still be left childless. Heartbreakingly, Olivia’s problem doesn’t seem to be getting pregnant, but staying so. And it has happened yet again. So when she hears the doorbell that morning, she’s pretty sure it won’t be good news. And she’s right. It’s the police. And they want to talk to her husband, Park.
Making themselves comfortable in the couples well-appointed kitchen, the two detectives reveal that there has been a partial DNA match to Park. With further explanation, it appears that, despite his lack of any offspring, the DNA found belongs to his son. Olivia’s doomsday thoughts turn to relief. It has to be a mistake. They obviously don’t have any children. Then Park makes a life altering confession. Years ago, before he and Olivia got serious as adults, he made a donation to a sperm bank. He was assured that the company was above board and highly ethical, but Park has no idea how many children he may potentially have out in the world. A fact that terrifies Olivia.
Surely that’s the worst she could learn about her adoring husband though. But as the police investigation delves even deeper, more and more deception is laid bare. Olivia watches as her once idyllic life threatens to crumble right before her eyes. But that is the least of her worries. For Park is not the only one in their marriage holding dark secrets. She has her own. Perhaps this makes the two even. But, even if it does, will she ever be able to look at her husband the same way again?
Unsurprisingly, I am in full, unadulterated love with It’s One of Us. Why was this so expected? Well, for one, I am never disappointed by a J.T. Ellison thriller. But, this time around, she really outdid herself by crafting a story unlike anything I’ve ever read. Wholly original, this premise had my fingers flying through the pages. Sigh, why can’t all books be like that?
So what made it so out-of-this-world? To begin with, I was wrapped up in this addictive tale right from the start which is apropos for Ellison. Circling around some pretty shocking secrets and lies, there is a certain amount of real world experience that must have been part of the planning for this novel. If not, then I’m even more blown away. Regardless, the entire book came off as well-written, perfectly organized (which is saying something considering the number of POVs), and completely spellbinding. Just the way I love my thrillers.
Next up on why this was so darn good is all down to the mind-blowing twists and turns. While I’ve read quite a few books recently which came off as over-the-top, not once did I feel that way with this one. Even with the gripping climax. Quite frankly, I’m just not sure how Ellison managed to pull that off, but I’m overjoyed that she did.
Finally (don’t get me wrong, there was plenty more that I loved, but I have to limit myself after all), the characters screamed authenticity. From the sometimes back-and-forth warring emotions of marriage to the heartbreaking decisions mothers sometimes have to make, each individual felt genuine and straight out of real life. Bravo, Ms. Ellison, bravo!
After closing the book the final time, I’m left thinking about the pivotal topics. Already an auto-buy author for me, I was thrilled to find myself so taken by yet another one of her books. While the murderer was alluded to early on (which led me to correctly guess who it was), it not only didn’t ruin the plot, but kept me hunting for why. And I certainly didn’t expect the heartrending conclusion. So, if you love compelling yet captivating books that fall heavily on the psychological thriller spectrum, pick this one up ASAP. I can’t imagine that you’ll be disappointed. Rating of 5+ stars.
Trigger warning: fertility issues, miscarriage, abortion, infidelity, breaking and entering, stalking, kidnapping, mention of: rape
**Just a bit of a warning concerning the triggers, this book focuses extensively on infertility and miscarriage straight off the bat and continues to be a major plot thread throughout. So, if you have any experience with either, you may want to rethink picking this one up. Forewarned is forearmed, I always like to say.
Making themselves comfortable in the couples well-appointed kitchen, the two detectives reveal that there has been a partial DNA match to Park. With further explanation, it appears that, despite his lack of any offspring, the DNA found belongs to his son. Olivia’s doomsday thoughts turn to relief. It has to be a mistake. They obviously don’t have any children. Then Park makes a life altering confession. Years ago, before he and Olivia got serious as adults, he made a donation to a sperm bank. He was assured that the company was above board and highly ethical, but Park has no idea how many children he may potentially have out in the world. A fact that terrifies Olivia.
Surely that’s the worst she could learn about her adoring husband though. But as the police investigation delves even deeper, more and more deception is laid bare. Olivia watches as her once idyllic life threatens to crumble right before her eyes. But that is the least of her worries. For Park is not the only one in their marriage holding dark secrets. She has her own. Perhaps this makes the two even. But, even if it does, will she ever be able to look at her husband the same way again?
Unsurprisingly, I am in full, unadulterated love with It’s One of Us. Why was this so expected? Well, for one, I am never disappointed by a J.T. Ellison thriller. But, this time around, she really outdid herself by crafting a story unlike anything I’ve ever read. Wholly original, this premise had my fingers flying through the pages. Sigh, why can’t all books be like that?
So what made it so out-of-this-world? To begin with, I was wrapped up in this addictive tale right from the start which is apropos for Ellison. Circling around some pretty shocking secrets and lies, there is a certain amount of real world experience that must have been part of the planning for this novel. If not, then I’m even more blown away. Regardless, the entire book came off as well-written, perfectly organized (which is saying something considering the number of POVs), and completely spellbinding. Just the way I love my thrillers.
Next up on why this was so darn good is all down to the mind-blowing twists and turns. While I’ve read quite a few books recently which came off as over-the-top, not once did I feel that way with this one. Even with the gripping climax. Quite frankly, I’m just not sure how Ellison managed to pull that off, but I’m overjoyed that she did.
Finally (don’t get me wrong, there was plenty more that I loved, but I have to limit myself after all), the characters screamed authenticity. From the sometimes back-and-forth warring emotions of marriage to the heartbreaking decisions mothers sometimes have to make, each individual felt genuine and straight out of real life. Bravo, Ms. Ellison, bravo!
After closing the book the final time, I’m left thinking about the pivotal topics. Already an auto-buy author for me, I was thrilled to find myself so taken by yet another one of her books. While the murderer was alluded to early on (which led me to correctly guess who it was), it not only didn’t ruin the plot, but kept me hunting for why. And I certainly didn’t expect the heartrending conclusion. So, if you love compelling yet captivating books that fall heavily on the psychological thriller spectrum, pick this one up ASAP. I can’t imagine that you’ll be disappointed. Rating of 5+ stars.
Trigger warning: fertility issues, miscarriage, abortion, infidelity, breaking and entering, stalking, kidnapping, mention of: rape
**Just a bit of a warning concerning the triggers, this book focuses extensively on infertility and miscarriage straight off the bat and continues to be a major plot thread throughout. So, if you have any experience with either, you may want to rethink picking this one up. Forewarned is forearmed, I always like to say.
May 24, 2023
28 Sperm donations, half siblings worlds away, one potential killer
A classic who-dunnit? plot line. This is one of the best storylines I have ever read! Unique, catchy, gripping and a real page turner!
A classic who-dunnit? plot line. This is one of the best storylines I have ever read! Unique, catchy, gripping and a real page turner!
January 3, 2023
It's One of Us, the latest thriller from JT Ellison, was a great read. Focused on a couple unsuccessfully trying to have a baby, they learn the husband has a son from a long ago circumstance, and that son is the likely killer of a woman who went missing weeks earlier. As the story unfolds, we learn there are several murders, and one from two decades earlier may have been solved incorrectly. Plus, the father of the killer has lots of other children out there (unknowingly) who have relationships with each other online. Scary and freaky, but a terrific plot device that offers tons of twists and turns. I liked the major twist at the end but it happened too quickly and a few pieces were left open-ended. Perhaps a sequel? All in all, definitely another wild ride I'd recommend from the author.
January 24, 2023
Review to come.
December 26, 2022
Thank you to Park Row Books and JT Ellison for my copy of It’s One of Us! It was highly anticipated by one of my favorite writers. The book was about Olivia, a home designer who just wants to have a baby. She has tried IVF multiple times and thinks she hit rock bottom. Then the police show up and accuse her husband Park of being the father of a murder suspect. Olivia knows it’s a mistake…until she finds out it isn’t. Park has not been entirely truthful, and when his secrets combine with Olivia’s, will it hurt or help the murder investigation?
Thoughts: This book was so full of twists and I loved it. The DNA and sperm donor aspect was so interesting and unique. There was a huge trigger warning for infertility and pregnancy loss, which I knew going in, but there were some parts that were hard to read. The different chapters and perspectives made the story so interesting and we got lots of new and interesting information. I liked all the perspectives the same, which rarely happens for me so that was a lot of fun.
This is a thriller but has a lot more emotional depth to it than your average story. She is a great writer and the author’s note at the end was super personal and added a lot to the story for me. There were lots of twists and the ending was a lot of fun. 4.5 stars for this great and mysterious story!
Thoughts: This book was so full of twists and I loved it. The DNA and sperm donor aspect was so interesting and unique. There was a huge trigger warning for infertility and pregnancy loss, which I knew going in, but there were some parts that were hard to read. The different chapters and perspectives made the story so interesting and we got lots of new and interesting information. I liked all the perspectives the same, which rarely happens for me so that was a lot of fun.
This is a thriller but has a lot more emotional depth to it than your average story. She is a great writer and the author’s note at the end was super personal and added a lot to the story for me. There were lots of twists and the ending was a lot of fun. 4.5 stars for this great and mysterious story!
October 13, 2022
Olivia and her husband, Park, have been trying to have a child but Olivia has had several miscarriages. One day they get a knock on the door that links Park's DNA to a murder, it may not be his DNA directly, but that of a child he had. The thing is they have no children together. Olivia learns that Park donated his sperm while attending graduate school and now has 28 children. Who is the child committing these crimes?
Wow, this was a wild story! Each chapter has a different point of view from the characters and one is from murderer himself. IT'S ONE OF US had me on the edge of seat. I have never read anything quite like this book, so for me it gets all 5 stars. Brilliant in every way!! I would highly recommend IT'S ONE OF US and I will be telling all my friends about it.
TW: Infertility/Miscarriage
Many thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This review will be posted on my Instagram (@coffee.break.book.reviews) in the near future.
Wow, this was a wild story! Each chapter has a different point of view from the characters and one is from murderer himself. IT'S ONE OF US had me on the edge of seat. I have never read anything quite like this book, so for me it gets all 5 stars. Brilliant in every way!! I would highly recommend IT'S ONE OF US and I will be telling all my friends about it.
TW: Infertility/Miscarriage
Many thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This review will be posted on my Instagram (@coffee.break.book.reviews) in the near future.
March 8, 2023
This is a well-written, entertaining, gripping, psychological thriller. It has murder, mystery, suspense, intrigue, twists and turns and a surprise ending. The author vividly describes the heartbreak of infertility, and her notes are insightful. I listened to the audio version of this novel, and the narrator, Ms. Julia Whelan, has a lovely voice and does an outstanding job depicting the characters and their personalities.
February 5, 2023
“Love has room for secrets, yes, but not lies.”
First of all, that cover! Right?! Pavement cracks make way for weeds. The Benders soon discover that the cracks in their marriage are allowing the secrets to appear. Secrets they are both keeping from each other.
Secondly, I can’t remember the last domestic suspense I read that was as captivating and as well-paced as this one. This was phenomenal! All the stars and then some!
It all started with a knock on the door….
Now, armed with the news, Olivia Bender has to face the unthinkable: Is the man she married a killer?
DNA doesn’t lie, does it?
You’ll be swept up in Olivia’s turmoil as she discovers that despite being unable to carry a baby to full term after numerous attempts, her husband has allegedly fathered many children…one of which pulls her husband Park into his web of destruction. I walked alongside Olivia as she dealt with the strain on her marriage, her frustration at not being able to have a child, and the possibility that her husband’s past is ruining their future. It made for a compelling yet emotionally draining read.
Ellison’s decision to include multiple points of view works well for this story. It leaves the reader with multiple opportunities to uncover the truth and keeps them guessing until all the pieces of the puzzle are revealed. The twists are fantastic!
Ellison’s ability to take what should be an incredible moment in one’s life - the birth of a child - and twist it into a nightmare, is brilliant.
Most thought-provoking for me was the question Ellison explored surrounding one’s desire to create a family.
“Did they ever stop to think that the children might not be what they wanted? That a child would not heal the emptiness in their soul? That a child might tear a hole in an otherwise perfect life?”
Ellison drives home the revelation that a mistake made in haste in their youth cost both Olivia and Park Bender their entire future. She explores the drive to create a family, obsession, betrayal, infertility, lies of omission, and the fine line between what one considers illegal and unethical.
Two words of caution: (1) this book deals with infertility and (2) stick with the first few pages. The writing style has a purpose!
I was gifted this copy by Harlequin Trade Publishing, MIRA and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
First of all, that cover! Right?! Pavement cracks make way for weeds. The Benders soon discover that the cracks in their marriage are allowing the secrets to appear. Secrets they are both keeping from each other.
Secondly, I can’t remember the last domestic suspense I read that was as captivating and as well-paced as this one. This was phenomenal! All the stars and then some!
It all started with a knock on the door….
Now, armed with the news, Olivia Bender has to face the unthinkable: Is the man she married a killer?
DNA doesn’t lie, does it?
You’ll be swept up in Olivia’s turmoil as she discovers that despite being unable to carry a baby to full term after numerous attempts, her husband has allegedly fathered many children…one of which pulls her husband Park into his web of destruction. I walked alongside Olivia as she dealt with the strain on her marriage, her frustration at not being able to have a child, and the possibility that her husband’s past is ruining their future. It made for a compelling yet emotionally draining read.
Ellison’s decision to include multiple points of view works well for this story. It leaves the reader with multiple opportunities to uncover the truth and keeps them guessing until all the pieces of the puzzle are revealed. The twists are fantastic!
Ellison’s ability to take what should be an incredible moment in one’s life - the birth of a child - and twist it into a nightmare, is brilliant.
Most thought-provoking for me was the question Ellison explored surrounding one’s desire to create a family.
“Did they ever stop to think that the children might not be what they wanted? That a child would not heal the emptiness in their soul? That a child might tear a hole in an otherwise perfect life?”
Ellison drives home the revelation that a mistake made in haste in their youth cost both Olivia and Park Bender their entire future. She explores the drive to create a family, obsession, betrayal, infertility, lies of omission, and the fine line between what one considers illegal and unethical.
Two words of caution: (1) this book deals with infertility and (2) stick with the first few pages. The writing style has a purpose!
I was gifted this copy by Harlequin Trade Publishing, MIRA and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
February 21, 2023
I know that I can always count on J.T. Ellison for a suspenseful tale! IT'S ONE OF US did not disappoint. Olivia Bender's life is ruled by fertility treatments. She and her husband, Park, have gone through multiple rounds of IUI/IVF, but even when Olivia gets pregnant, she cannot seem to keep the babies. She feels like a complete failure and is convinced she's letting Park down by depriving him of what he wants most. Then the police show up at their door with some shocking news: DNA in a murder investigation has been traced back to Park... well, Park's son. Ummm, what? Reluctantly, Park reveals he donated sperm years ago. We soon learn that the clinic was lax in its policies, and no one is exactly sure how many children Park has. Olivia feels betrayed and devastated--and as the secrets continue to be revealed, they must face that fact that one of Park's "children" is out there doing unspeakable things.
Oh boy, this is a juicy one! First, you have to go in and read IT'S ONE OF US with a little bit of a suspension of disbelief, or at least, willingness to go on a wild ride. Not to say the things that happen, couldn't, it's just that, wow, things get a bit crazy!
That's not to say that this book doesn't have some real moments. It does. Because J.T. Ellison writes about infertility and miscarriage (and here's pointing out a big trigger warning for both of those elements) with amazing honesty. She shows the toll it takes on Olivia and how hard it can be on a marriage. You need to read her author's note to understand how she write about this so realistically (and then want to send her about a million hugs like I did). As someone who spent nearly five years trying to have children, this book hit me hard in the feels. Olivia made some crazy choices, but wow, her thoughts about trying to be a mom, how hard it was to see others as parents, and oh my goodness, her insight into losing her babies--that was all so well-done and real. Amazing writing, truly, and it all really added to and fit into the story.
US also delves into sperm donors and how everything can go awry, which is sometimes a touchy subject for me. I am never a huge fan when authors take this route, as it really makes the general public seem to think this is the case for all kids who come into the world this way. However, the scenario in this book is so insane and over-the-top that hopefully people will read it like that.
As for the characters other than Olivia... oh boy! Park is a piece of work, folks. The murder case being investigated is a local woman, who drowned. Park just happens to have a history of being around missing or drowned women. He seems to be a compulsive liar! (But is he a murderer??!!) He has a twin (fraternal) brother whose presence adds a whole bunch of a drama. (There's so much drama here--but in a good way!)
Luckily we hear from other characters too, but I won't go into much detail as I don't want to give away any spoilers. But all the POVs are interesting and give a broad range of insight into what is going down. Because oh yeah, it's going down! There is a tangled web being woven here, folks. Get ready.
Overall, this is a dark and twisty thriller that offers all sorts of insight into family and biological ties, as well as marriage, motherhood, and infertility. It gets a little wild at the end, but it's a fun ride. 4 stars.
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and Harlequin Publishing/MIRA in return for an unbiased review.
Oh boy, this is a juicy one! First, you have to go in and read IT'S ONE OF US with a little bit of a suspension of disbelief, or at least, willingness to go on a wild ride. Not to say the things that happen, couldn't, it's just that, wow, things get a bit crazy!
That's not to say that this book doesn't have some real moments. It does. Because J.T. Ellison writes about infertility and miscarriage (and here's pointing out a big trigger warning for both of those elements) with amazing honesty. She shows the toll it takes on Olivia and how hard it can be on a marriage. You need to read her author's note to understand how she write about this so realistically (and then want to send her about a million hugs like I did). As someone who spent nearly five years trying to have children, this book hit me hard in the feels. Olivia made some crazy choices, but wow, her thoughts about trying to be a mom, how hard it was to see others as parents, and oh my goodness, her insight into losing her babies--that was all so well-done and real. Amazing writing, truly, and it all really added to and fit into the story.
US also delves into sperm donors and how everything can go awry, which is sometimes a touchy subject for me. I am never a huge fan when authors take this route, as it really makes the general public seem to think this is the case for all kids who come into the world this way. However, the scenario in this book is so insane and over-the-top that hopefully people will read it like that.
As for the characters other than Olivia... oh boy! Park is a piece of work, folks. The murder case being investigated is a local woman, who drowned. Park just happens to have a history of being around missing or drowned women. He seems to be a compulsive liar! (But is he a murderer??!!) He has a twin (fraternal) brother whose presence adds a whole bunch of a drama. (There's so much drama here--but in a good way!)
Luckily we hear from other characters too, but I won't go into much detail as I don't want to give away any spoilers. But all the POVs are interesting and give a broad range of insight into what is going down. Because oh yeah, it's going down! There is a tangled web being woven here, folks. Get ready.
Overall, this is a dark and twisty thriller that offers all sorts of insight into family and biological ties, as well as marriage, motherhood, and infertility. It gets a little wild at the end, but it's a fun ride. 4 stars.
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and Harlequin Publishing/MIRA in return for an unbiased review.
May 14, 2023
Oh wow. This is my first J.T. Ellison book and I honestly just gravitated towards it because of the cover. I was not expecting the story inside. It wasn't quite a 5 star read, but Ellison definitely kept me intrigued. CW: infertility, miscarriage
It's One of Us follows the relationship dynamics between Olivia and Park who have been attempting to have a child for an extended period of time. Olivia wants to be a mother, but fertility treatments continue to fail. Things take a very interesting turn when the police visit their home insinuating that they have a DNA match to Park from a local murder investigation. Surprisingly, the DNA doesn't directly belong to Park, but his biological son. Surprised since the couple doesn't have any children, Park and Olivia are convinced that the police have made a mistake. What follows is a world wind of a story of lies, betrayal, murder, and heartbreak.
What Worked: This is a fast pace and engaging read. It took me a while to read it because I decided to make my way through a physical copy. Apparently, I'm a fan of messy characters and J.T. Ellison knows how to craft a messy character and a messy situation. What surprised me the most was how much I appreciated the social commentary that Ellison incorporated into the text. It is worth reading the author's note to get a better grasp on why she made the decision to explore this specific topic. While there isn't much that I can discuss about this book because of spoilers, I can say that if you are sensitive to complex feelings and relationships that develop as a result of infertility and fertility treatments, I would enter this book cautiously. Ellison doesn't shy away from it's impact on the characters. There are moments when Olivia's pain and frustration simply just ooze off the page. I wasn't expecting that and I appreciated that Ellison made me confront the experiences of so many individuals across the world. I also loved that the story was told from multiple perspectives. It really gave me better insight to each character and the complexity of their connections.
What Didn't Work: There wasn't necessarily much that didn't work for me with this one. There were a few characters that I didn't necessarily care for and I will say that the revelation of the murderer is a little on the predictable side. It's clear from one specific perspective and moment. I know that some people won't necessarily enjoy that element. However, it's interesting how Ellison uses the revelation to connect it back to the beginning of the book.
Overall, this was a good read! I enjoyed it and I'm looking forward to checking out more of Ellison's work.
It's One of Us follows the relationship dynamics between Olivia and Park who have been attempting to have a child for an extended period of time. Olivia wants to be a mother, but fertility treatments continue to fail. Things take a very interesting turn when the police visit their home insinuating that they have a DNA match to Park from a local murder investigation. Surprisingly, the DNA doesn't directly belong to Park, but his biological son. Surprised since the couple doesn't have any children, Park and Olivia are convinced that the police have made a mistake. What follows is a world wind of a story of lies, betrayal, murder, and heartbreak.
What Worked: This is a fast pace and engaging read. It took me a while to read it because I decided to make my way through a physical copy. Apparently, I'm a fan of messy characters and J.T. Ellison knows how to craft a messy character and a messy situation. What surprised me the most was how much I appreciated the social commentary that Ellison incorporated into the text. It is worth reading the author's note to get a better grasp on why she made the decision to explore this specific topic. While there isn't much that I can discuss about this book because of spoilers, I can say that if you are sensitive to complex feelings and relationships that develop as a result of infertility and fertility treatments, I would enter this book cautiously. Ellison doesn't shy away from it's impact on the characters. There are moments when Olivia's pain and frustration simply just ooze off the page. I wasn't expecting that and I appreciated that Ellison made me confront the experiences of so many individuals across the world. I also loved that the story was told from multiple perspectives. It really gave me better insight to each character and the complexity of their connections.
What Didn't Work: There wasn't necessarily much that didn't work for me with this one. There were a few characters that I didn't necessarily care for and I will say that the revelation of the murderer is a little on the predictable side. It's clear from one specific perspective and moment. I know that some people won't necessarily enjoy that element. However, it's interesting how Ellison uses the revelation to connect it back to the beginning of the book.
Overall, this was a good read! I enjoyed it and I'm looking forward to checking out more of Ellison's work.
May 1, 2023
Well, I’m surprised that I was able to finish this book.
The opening prologue is a bit pretentious and the writing is a bit repetitive.
I almost quit reading when I reached this thing about “joining the fertility arts” or worse, when we are told that the husband is so “in tune with her cycle that he can smell her blood”.
But, fortunately, as if someone else had taken over, things improved a bit, although the writing is repetitive.
I thought that the concept was good, but I was definitely not a fan of the writing.
The chapters alternate between characters, but instead of using their names, they are “the husband”, “the wife”, “the murderer”, “the detectives”…, so very impersonal.
Too much happens in here, but the story did grip my attention, after all.
It was interesting but it had a potential of being an excellent thriller.
I do suggest reading the author’s note, as she does mention her own personal experience with infertility.
The opening prologue is a bit pretentious and the writing is a bit repetitive.
I almost quit reading when I reached this thing about “joining the fertility arts” or worse, when we are told that the husband is so “in tune with her cycle that he can smell her blood”.
But, fortunately, as if someone else had taken over, things improved a bit, although the writing is repetitive.
I thought that the concept was good, but I was definitely not a fan of the writing.
The chapters alternate between characters, but instead of using their names, they are “the husband”, “the wife”, “the murderer”, “the detectives”…, so very impersonal.
Too much happens in here, but the story did grip my attention, after all.
It was interesting but it had a potential of being an excellent thriller.
I do suggest reading the author’s note, as she does mention her own personal experience with infertility.
March 8, 2023
This is the best thriller I've ever read, hands down. You'll find no cardboard characters here. No drunken, unreliable narrators. No weak women or stupid men. You'll find real, morally-grey characters trying to find their way through decades of secrets, relationships, and unexpected events. There are plenty of twists and a killer ending. Thriller fans will rejoice. But there's also a tenderly-rendered, emotional theme of infertility, and I almost cried reading the author's note. I'll definitely be reading more work by this talented writer.
January 17, 2023
Ok this one was pretty damn good. I loved the premise, DNA stuff always fascinates me and I cannot imagine police knocking on my door and then informing me that my husband is the father of a murder suspect. I mean, EXCUSE ME? So I was hooked from the start and that little tidbit was just the tip of the iceberg as far as secrets go. You get a bunch of different viewpoints that really helped to keep things moving along at a rapid pace and as much as the mystery part of it intrigued me, I did predict it. BUT that was ok because this was more than just a mystery, it had an emotional component that really worked for me. Speaking of the emotional part, this book has major triggers for all things infertility so keep that in mind before reading it. The authors note was actually really touching and special and gave me a whole new perspective on the story so don’t miss that in the end. A solid thriller for me for sure.
January 19, 2023
JT Ellison is back!! the author of HER DARK LIES and GOOD GIRLS LIE returns with a domestic suspense/family drama thriller in February and it sure packs a punch!
the most important thing to know going into this book is that it deals with very emotional situations with fertility and pregnancy. the author’s note makes it very clear why she has written this story and it made my heart swell 🥹
with that said, this thriller tackles a new topic i’ve never seen talked about in books i’ve read—the ethical side to sperm donations. one of the MC’s donated to a sperm clinic years ago and comes to find a shocking revelation about how many times it was sold and how many children he has sired 😳🤯🫢 and that his “son’s” DNA is linked to a murder case.
this book is VERY plot heavy, there is soooo much going on that i took notes so i wouldn’t forget all the details! it also has numerous POVs—maybe 5 or 6 if not more. i loved that part because it allowed you to really get a feel for each character, their motives and their secrets. and BOY OH BOY does every character have a secret 👀👀👀
this was such a fun read! i think some of it could have been cut out as it was a lot of side plots to digest at once and it was also rather long (almost 400 pages) but other than that, i enjoyed the chaotic ride!!
thank you to MIRA and HTP Books for the #gifted early copy. this is out 2/21!
the most important thing to know going into this book is that it deals with very emotional situations with fertility and pregnancy. the author’s note makes it very clear why she has written this story and it made my heart swell 🥹
with that said, this thriller tackles a new topic i’ve never seen talked about in books i’ve read—the ethical side to sperm donations. one of the MC’s donated to a sperm clinic years ago and comes to find a shocking revelation about how many times it was sold and how many children he has sired 😳🤯🫢 and that his “son’s” DNA is linked to a murder case.
this book is VERY plot heavy, there is soooo much going on that i took notes so i wouldn’t forget all the details! it also has numerous POVs—maybe 5 or 6 if not more. i loved that part because it allowed you to really get a feel for each character, their motives and their secrets. and BOY OH BOY does every character have a secret 👀👀👀
this was such a fun read! i think some of it could have been cut out as it was a lot of side plots to digest at once and it was also rather long (almost 400 pages) but other than that, i enjoyed the chaotic ride!!
thank you to MIRA and HTP Books for the #gifted early copy. this is out 2/21!
April 11, 2023
It’s One of Us by J. T. Ellison
Contemporary thriller. Multiple POV and timelines.
DNA results show that the prime suspect in a murder is Park’s son. His wife, Olivia, is shocked because as far as she knows, Park doesn’t have any children. Park concurs and tells the police he doesn’t have any children. But further investigation, and pressure on Park, has him admitting that he donated to a sperm bank in his college years. A second victim is found. Pressure from police and news reporters put Olivia and Park under the microscope as well as the donation clinic. Turns out they didn’t limit usage and it seems there are more than just a few children.
A mystery and thriller that will have you guessing over and over again. Who is telling the truth? Who knows more than they are admitting to? How many offspring can there actually be?
I enjoyed this a lot. The suspense was well done and the suspect list grew. Chapter headings told you the POV. The audiobook is narrated by Julie Whelan and is wonderful.
Contemporary thriller. Multiple POV and timelines.
DNA results show that the prime suspect in a murder is Park’s son. His wife, Olivia, is shocked because as far as she knows, Park doesn’t have any children. Park concurs and tells the police he doesn’t have any children. But further investigation, and pressure on Park, has him admitting that he donated to a sperm bank in his college years. A second victim is found. Pressure from police and news reporters put Olivia and Park under the microscope as well as the donation clinic. Turns out they didn’t limit usage and it seems there are more than just a few children.
A mystery and thriller that will have you guessing over and over again. Who is telling the truth? Who knows more than they are admitting to? How many offspring can there actually be?
I enjoyed this a lot. The suspense was well done and the suspect list grew. Chapter headings told you the POV. The audiobook is narrated by Julie Whelan and is wonderful.
February 26, 2023
A WOW read with a GREAT title!!
Another treatment, another month, another disappointment.
Olivia desperately wants a baby, but it always ends in a miscarriage.
When a dead body is found and DNA at the scene links the killer to her husband, Park, many questions get asked.
How can you have a child?
Were you unfaithful?
Did you know you had a child?
It turns out that Park donated sperm during his post-graduate days, and he has children all over the place.
We then meet Darby and find out her daughter is one of Park's children too and she belongs to a group like her mother that discusses the subject of sperm donation and how they all are siblings.
The children in the group worry now that one of their half siblings is the murderer and wonder if they are in danger if he is seeing all the messages being sent back and forth in the group.
All of this leads to lots of drama, secrets, surprises, and intense situations that keep you on the edge of your seat.
Another excellent read for fans of J. T. Ellison. 5/5
This book was given to me by the publisher via NetGalley for an honest review.
Another treatment, another month, another disappointment.
Olivia desperately wants a baby, but it always ends in a miscarriage.
When a dead body is found and DNA at the scene links the killer to her husband, Park, many questions get asked.
How can you have a child?
Were you unfaithful?
Did you know you had a child?
It turns out that Park donated sperm during his post-graduate days, and he has children all over the place.
We then meet Darby and find out her daughter is one of Park's children too and she belongs to a group like her mother that discusses the subject of sperm donation and how they all are siblings.
The children in the group worry now that one of their half siblings is the murderer and wonder if they are in danger if he is seeing all the messages being sent back and forth in the group.
All of this leads to lots of drama, secrets, surprises, and intense situations that keep you on the edge of your seat.
Another excellent read for fans of J. T. Ellison. 5/5
This book was given to me by the publisher via NetGalley for an honest review.
April 4, 2023
3.75⭐
Featuring ~ multiple 3rd person POV, dual timeline, miscarriages, IVF, secrets
We have quite a few narrators to keep track of. Luckily each chapter is titled to tell us who's talking.
The Wife, The Husband, The Past, The Daughter, The Mother, The Detectives and The Brother.
The cops come knocking and say Park's DNA has shown up at a crime scene, but he's not a suspect, his child is. But wait, he doesn't have any children so how can that be?
I do wonder why Park was very adamant that he does not have any children, I guess being a sperm donor and what could result from it must have slipped his mind 🙄
I found this thriller to be well executed. The multiple narrators helped to build up the suspense somewhat. Overall, enjoyable.
Narration:
Julia Whelan ~ 11 hours 38 minutes ~ a well seasoned narrator.
I appreciate the author's note stating her struggles with infertility.
Follow me here ➡ Blog ~ Facebook
Featuring ~ multiple 3rd person POV, dual timeline, miscarriages, IVF, secrets
We have quite a few narrators to keep track of. Luckily each chapter is titled to tell us who's talking.
The Wife, The Husband, The Past, The Daughter, The Mother, The Detectives and The Brother.
The cops come knocking and say Park's DNA has shown up at a crime scene, but he's not a suspect, his child is. But wait, he doesn't have any children so how can that be?
I do wonder why Park was very adamant that he does not have any children, I guess being a sperm donor and what could result from it must have slipped his mind 🙄
I found this thriller to be well executed. The multiple narrators helped to build up the suspense somewhat. Overall, enjoyable.
Narration:
Julia Whelan ~ 11 hours 38 minutes ~ a well seasoned narrator.
I appreciate the author's note stating her struggles with infertility.
Follow me here ➡ Blog ~ Facebook
April 20, 2024
3.5 stars. Good, but ultimately unmemorable.
February 7, 2023
Finished reading: February 6th 2023
"Infertility is fascinating to those who seek to break its back. The doctors and the therapists who get rich at the expense of those desperate to procreate. Oh, they care. But they're still rolling in it."
*** A copy of this book was kindly provided to me by Netgalley and MIRA in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! ***
P.S. Find more of my reviews here.
October 30, 2022
It’s One of Us is an emotional and thrilling psychological journey through the shadows of the human heart. Just when you think you know what’s coming, prepare to gasp with each new revelation. Through multiple fascinating points of view, layers of secrets, lies, love and loss are revealed. I did not put this book down until the last unexpected and breathless page. Unpredictable, intense and riveting, J. T. Ellison is at her heart-stopping best.
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