Member Reviews

Thank you NetGalley for an ARC of this book. ⭐️⭐️⭐️- Mirable, Monday, and Mab are triplets from Bourne. This book is written from their altering points of view. It is the exploration of what really happened in Bourne years ago and how their identities play a part in the incident. This book was certainly different and told from a unique perspective. I enjoyed the plot as it was unique. I recommend this book, it’s different and enjoyable.

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One, Two, and Three, aka Mab, Monday and Mirabel, are triplets who have grown up in the aftermath of a manmade environmental disaster that left many in their town dead or very sick. The story is brilliantly told in the alternating points of view of each sister.

This book is about Environmental contamination, justice, corporate greed, accessibility, family dynamics and community. Frankel deftly tackles all these topics in an extremely readable way. The characters are so well developed and fleshed out. I fell in love with the sisters and their unique personalities and quirks. The relationship with their mother, Nora, was so lovely and authentic.

I highly recommend this very original and heartwarming story!

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Mab, Monday and Mirabel are triplets that live in the town of Bourne. Prior to their births, their town was a part of scandal when their water turned green caused by a chemical plant. Many people of the town suffered the consequences. Some have died, including the triplet’s father. There is a lot of issues that the town suffered from, including physical and learning disabilities for the kids that were born during that time.

Mab, is your “typical” teenager, in the A Track in School. Monday, in the B-Track likes anything yellow and has become the librarian of the town when the town library closes down. Mirabel, is a genius, but is in a wheelchair and cannot speak unless using a machine.

With their mother, they have been fighting the owners of the manufacturing plant to do what is right and to ensure they never show their faces again. When River Templeton shows up to the high school, it does not take long for the town to figure out, the people that harmed them the most are back and ready to reopen the defunct facility.

Frankel tells the story from rotating points of view from the three sisters, nicknamed, One, Two and Three. She gives us a story of a town and family reeling from this tragedy that occurred 17 years prior and the difficult choices people have to make.

I really liked this story, it was very intriguing, but also Frankel just wrote beautiful prose from the voices of three 16 years old. This book has a little bit of everything for everyone, that will keep you wanting more until the very last page.

Thank you NetGalley, Henry Holt and Macmillan Audio for an Advanced Reader’s Copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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Here's a story no one cares about. I read 9/10s of Frankel's massive hit This is How it Always Is and the story was important but I literally put the book down with less than 100 pages left. It is a huge book and felt so repetitive and I had no appetite for that at the time - I was reading it right after Geege died in 2017. It's probably the longest I've read a book/closest in proximity to the end when I quit. Fast forward and this book was totally fine, an interesting premise and characters, and I know people will love it. She is clearly in love with writing and I appreciate that so much. I think Frankel is a good for you, not for me author. Free copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

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It took some time for me to get into this book - I found the beginning to be slow and repetitive. That being said, I am SO glad I powered through and continued reading. The second half of the book flew by and I could not put it down. Told from the alternating perspective of 3 triplet sisters and the town that they live in. A beautiful and at times hilarious story about family, community and the things that tie people together.

Thank you to Netgalley and Henry Holt & Co for the advanced reader copy.

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This is a story of a set of triplets who work together to make things happen, even when faced with what many would consider disabilities. This is also a story about a town that is tired...tired of being manipulated and abused. The triplets, One, Two, and Three, take the fate of the town into their own hands and do what they can to save the town. Enjoyed this book a lot!

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R E V I E W✨

𝗢𝗡𝗘 𝗧𝗪𝗢 𝗧𝗛𝗥𝗘𝗘 𝗕𝗬 𝗟𝗔𝗨𝗥𝗜𝗘 𝗙𝗥𝗔𝗡𝗞𝗘𝗟

Swipe for @goodreads synopsis➡️

This was my first @laurie.frankel story & I definitely enjoyed it. It had my heart from the beginning! Due to a tragic incident in this small town, this family and town has worked to overcome death, sickness & adapted to raise & educate many children living with significant disabilities. I immediately loved the representation of individuals with disabilities & the unique communication developed between the main characters and their whole community.

Each chapter alternated narratives between triplets “one”, “two”, and “three.” It took me a while to keep them straight as they all have names starting with M: Mab, Monday & Maribel (1, 2 & 3 syllables) 😂 Each sister had their own strengths and weaknesses & I loved how they interacted in their special ways.

In terms of plot, this one was a slow burn for me. The triplets work together to uncover secrets relating to this unjust event that occurred years before and I enjoyed how the plot unraveled. However, the ending fell flat for me as it didn’t seem realistic and I felt it was missing something! I also love to see “bad guys” punished & I felt it wasn’t enough in my opinion.

However, I enjoyed the brave female characters in the sisters and their mother who never gave up fighting for justice and advocating for their family and their community ✨ Overall, it was a great story with inspirational characters & great representation of children with disabilities.

Thanks to @henryholtbooks for sending me an advanced copy of this one in exchange for my honest review as well as @netgalley for the e-version! Swipe to see the BEST box of goodies sent inspired by this awesome story as well ✨➡️ “One, Two, Three” is out TOMORROW 6/8🤗

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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#onetwothree #lauriefrankel #henryholtbooks #arcread #arcreview #netgalleyreview #netgalleyreads #literaryfiction

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This is my second book by Laurie Frankel and it’s safe to say she is one author that I will plan to read anything she writes in the future. I love the way she handles difficult topics with such grace and honesty.

In this latest book, Frankel takes on a small town that suffered the effects of a toxic chemical plant. The Mitchell family was hit hard, just like many others in town. Nora Mitchell was left widowed at a young age, with triplet girls to raise. Mab, Monday and Mirabel are not like average girls. They are very close, very intelligent and very different from each other.

When the owners of the chemical plant decide to return to the town and reopen the plant, the townsfolk are wary and distrustful of their claims to keep the environment clean. With Nora leading the research for a lawsuit against the plant for the past several years, she is especially upset at the news.

Her daughters have followed Nora’s progress since they were infants, so they decide to band together and help Nora with the cause. I can’t say how many times these girls brought a smile to my face as I read this story. The close relationship in the family was really nice to read about. I also loved the other characters in the town.

My only complaint is the story did drag a bit at times, but overall I really liked this and definitely think it will make a popular choice for book clubs due to the many topics it touches on.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Henry Holt & Company for allowing me to read an advance copy. I am happy to give my honest review.

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A terrible tragedy occurred in the town of Bourne. A man made environmental disaster led to the death or sickness of the majority of the townspeople.

Nora and her teenage triplets reside in Bourne. Mabs carries with her guilt about being “normal”, Monday is on the Asperger’s spectrum, and Mirabel who uses a robotic synthesizer to speak is confined in a wheelchair.

Nora spends 16 years trying to get justice for her family by suing the plant responsible. Eventually it is announced that the plant is reopening.

This is not a book that I would normally pick up, but it was a story I couldn’t put down. I enjoyed this emotional rollercoaster.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC.

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This novel is set in a fictional small town called Bourne, which years before suffered great devastation from chemical contamination from a plant which opened there. The book is told from the alternating perspectives of 16 year old triplet sisters: Mab, the “normal” one; Monday, who is on the spectrum; and Mirabel, who suffered severe birth defects and is in a wheel chair and can only communicate through a type to voice machine. Their mother has spent their whole lives working on a lawsuit against the company which poisoned the town, but the sisters and really everyone in town find their lives changed when a new family moves to town for the first time in their lifetime, and new information about the town’s past comes to light as well. Don’t worry though, this is not an environmental screed, as it’s really a quirky characters in a quirky town kind of books. It was a bit of a slow read for me, but the unique characters and writing were great.

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The premise of this book was very interesting to me, as it's not something I've ever read about. The three narrators/sisters were all unique characters and I enjoyed seeing the story unfold through their eyes. However, the first 60% of the book really drags and took me forever to get through. The last 40% of it really picked up and it had a good ending.

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"Before we were our mother's or ourselves, we were one another's."

One Two Three refers to the Mitchell triplets, Mab, Monday and Mirabel who refer to each other by their birth order, One, Two and Three. The Mitchells are high school seniors who live with their mother, Nora, in Bourne, a town which has been ravaged by tragedy. Two decades earlier, a chemical company essentially poisoned the town killing many residents, leaving the rest jobless and affecting the futures of those who hadn't yet been born. Mab, Monday and Mirabel have been struggling because of it their whole lives - their father died of cancer, Mirabel suffers from birth defects, and their mother has spent her life trying to sue the company to get some justice. But when the first new family in twenty years moves to Bourne, they have ulterior motives that will pit the citizens of Bourne against each other and test even the Mitchells close bond.

I don't think anyone writes more beautifully layered parent-child relationships than Laurie Frankel. The way Nora relates to her daughters and how they support her is so real and raw. She's also drawn amazingly vivid and distinct characters in Mab, Monday and Mirabel. Each chapter alternates between their POVs and brilliantly represents their individual abilities and disabilities - One is "normal" for which she feels more guilt than gratitude; Two loves books and information and while she's physically capable she has some social and emotional challenges; and Three who is the smartest and insightful of the triplets but is confined to a wheelchair and can only communicate via finger tapping and a robotic AAC device. Their sisterhood is complex but they talk and behave like teens do, making their difficulties all the more heart-wrenching.

This is a book, a town and a family that I know will stay with me for a long time. I will admit it took me longer to finish than most - it takes a while to get used to the sisters' voices and sort out what's happened to the town - but the slow burn is more than worth it. While One Two Three covers heavy topics like environmental contamination, cancer, death, addiction and lawsuits, it isn't depressing. What surprising is that there's hope in Bourne. As Three points out "We understand not everything that looks broken actually is."

4.5 stars

Thanks to Henry Holt & Co. and NetGalley for a copy to review.

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Teenage triplets, Mab Monday and Mirabel (whose nicknames for each other are One, Two and Three) work together to stop the chemical plant that once contaminated their town’s water from reopening.

This book shines in its character voice. I can’t decide if I enjoyed Monday’s or Mirabel’s chapters more. Mab in comparison was lesser so but still added to the movement of the plot in a way that I could just enjoy the other two’s wit and insight. The author wrote the teenage perspective in a realistic but mature and relatable way for readers of all ages.

The plot itself was unique and moving, allowing me to develop my own emotional ties to the town and its story. I enjoyed everything about this book and I have a feeling it will be in my top reads list for this year.

A special thank you to the publisher and to netgalley for the eArc in exchange for an honest review.

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Laurie Frankel is quickly becoming one of my favorite writers, and One Two Three does not disappoint. Her wit, humor, and gift for developing beautifully complex characters shines through. 5 stars. Thank you Net Galley for providing me with an advance copy of this book.

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Seventeen years ago, in the town of Bourne, Belsum Chemical made national news when they caused the water to turn green and poisoned, the townsfolk started coming down with a myriad of health problems, and then the company skulked out of town without admitting their wrongdoing. Now the majority of the residents that are left are poor and disabled, and the town itself is dying. Three of the most well known residents are the Mitchell triplets: Mab, Monday and Mirabel. Their mother Nora is the local (and only) therapist, part-time bartender, and is the one in charge of a 16-year-long class action lawsuit against Belsum Chemical. When the owners of the chemical plant move back into town and start making plans to re-open the plant, the entire town starts taking sides.
I absolutely adored this book. I loved all of the quirky characters. I especially loved the triplets. I really saw a bit of myself in each of them. Mab was the first born, the "normal one", and she is fun and quirky. Monday is on the spectrum and loves to play truth or dare. Mirabel is disabled and has been consigned to life in a wheelchair with a computer for a voice. I was really rooting for the girls and the downfall of the chemical company. This was a great read and I highly recommend it.

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Interesting book. Really interesting and diverse characters- I loved how each one of the triplets, Man, Monday and Mirabel had such unique voices. Definite Erin Brokovich vibes. My favorite part of the book was the descriptions of the quirky town people. I loved how the author showed how the aftermath of a chemical company's poisoning of the town affects so many people in such different ways. Such a ripple effect. I wish there had been a bit more development of some of the characters- it felt rather black and white at times. At times the investigation by the kids felt a bit cartoonish. Overall, really enjoyable and I loved the triplets.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC

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One Two Three

Bourne is a small town with a scary history. Years ago, the town made national news when the water turned green. It turns out, the local chemical plant was creating dangerous chemicals that leaked into the water and caused so many long-term health problems for Bourne’s residents. The book centers around the Mitchell triplets: Man, Monday, and Mirabel, who come together to try to save the town when the plant is scheduled to reopen.

This book was unlike anything I’ve read before. The characters were some of the best I’be read recently, and I loved hearing about what was happening in their town from each of their perspectives. This book had the potential to be very heavy, since it does deal with a more serious topic, but the sisters added humor to it and made it feel lighter. This unique story is one I won’t forget easily and I highly recommend.

The audio on this one was great. The three different narrators gave distinct voices to each of the sister and made it easy to distinguish which point of view you were listening to.

Thank you to NetGalley, Henry Holt & Co, and Macmillan Audio for the digital copy and audiobook. One Two Three will be released on Tuesday.

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This book has it all.

Having loved Frankel’s “This is How it Always Is”, I was excited to receive an advanced copy from Henry Holt Publishing.

Think Erin Brockovich with more nuance and complexity and heart. This is a book about relationships and home and family and choices...I loved the three sisters (One Two Three) and truly felt their courageousness and the inner conflicts one has when making choices. I don’t want to tell more about the plot - just know that it’s nuanced with lovely writing.

This would make a great book club discussion pick.

Heartfelt thanks to Henry Holt for the copy of this wonderful book. I’m so grateful.

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One Two Three by Laurie Frankel was such a surprising read/listen! I had no idea what I was getting into and from looking at the description of it, I really didn't foresee this becoming a favorite read of the month. This story was touching and raw, deep and moving. I was drawn into the individual stories of the teenage triplets, One, Two, and Three. The overarching story was intriguing and tugs at your heart urging you to pay closer attention to negative environmental impacts. There are several very important lessons and messages in this story while simultaneously being a loving and sweet story about sisters and survival. 

Thank you, Henry Holt and Co.. and NetGalley, for a copy of this book for review!

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Many thanks to NetGalley and Henry Holt & Co for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest book by Laurie Frankel - 4.5 stars rounded up for a brilliant, unique book!

Three triplet teenagers: Mab (One) is the typical child; Monday (Two) is on the autism spectrum; and Mirabel (Three) is brilliant but cannot speak. Mab's destiny is to get good grades and leave Bourne for college and a new life. Monday is the town keeper of the library's books, once the library was abandoned. These three 16-year-olds are living with their mom, Nora, in Bourne, a town that was devastated by poisoned water run off from a chemical plant decades ago. Nora has been fighting against the company for all that time, trying to get the company to admit fault. But things are changing in. Bourne, the city that time and loss left behind. Moving trucks have been spotted and rumor is that the chemical company is back and set to reopen.

This story is told through the voices of One, Two, and Three as they deal with the decisions made by those before them and try to figure out how to do better. I fell in love with these characters - Mab carries the guilt of being the typical triplet and feeling that she has to live for the other two. Monday is such a literal character - she will make you laugh out loud with her truthful observations about. her world and those around her. And Mirabel is the heart of this story - you really get to feel what a disabled person feels like inside. Add those characters to the storyline of big business money winning out over environmental issues and you have a definite winner! Highly recommended!

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