The story is fantastic and the town's characters are unique and often hilarious, but the heart of this story is about sisters. I devoured this awesome book! I couldn't stop listening to it!
I truly enjoyed it and would recommend it to those who enjoy character driven fiction.

Reasons to read One Two Three, Laurie Frankel’s much-anticipated new novel following the success of her beloved This Is How It Always Is:

1. Mab. The first triplet born to Nora, named with one syllable, who at 16 years old loves with all her heart while carrying the burden and guilt of being the “normal” one.

2. Monday. The second triplet, two syllables, lover of books, defender of truth, physically capable but mentally and emotionally unique.

3. Mirabel. Third triplet, three syllables, insightful, empathetic, and eloquent but confined to a body that doesn’t work, only able to communicate through the tap of a finger or a robotic-sounding AAC device, and my favorite literary character of the last several years.

These three young women are the bright shining lights of this story about a small town dealing with the aftermath of Big Factory chemical pollution. Frankel has set them up to be the super heroes of her tale, the purveyors of justice. While I frequently winced when the action veered too close to Scooby-Doo “meddling kids” territory, I never stopped rooting for them to topple their Goliath.

I received an advance copy of the audiobook from Macmillan Audio via NetGalley for review. Those selecting this format will benefit from three distinct narrators and the inclusion of Mirabel’s AAC device for her dialogue. One Two Three is slated for US publication on June 8, 2021.

I WISH I had read this book, rather than listened to it. I love the author and really appreciated the story and characters. HOWEVER ... I HATED the audiobook. The story consists of three narrators and 2/3 of the voices were HORRIFIC. Many, many times I wanted to put the audiobook down and pick up the story in a paper or ebook. However, I had made the commitment to read and review the audiobook so I persevered. I’d DEFINITELY recommend the book, but NOT the audiobook.

All this said, here are some of my thoughts of the story itself:
1. this book could have used a better editor, one who would have eliminated or thoughtfully edited some of the clunky, overly wordy sections. I skipped ahead multiple times and never missed anything in the story.
1. The characters were unique and interesting but a bit too caricature. Your character doesn’t have to be so black and white ... depth and shades of gray are not only more realistic but also more satisfying or the reader. Give the audience a little more credit - you don’t need to patronize us.
2. Mab is manic and annoying, to the point of being stressful to listen to. I get teen angst. I am a middle and high school teacher. This is something completely different, and really, really terrible to listen to.
3. Monday’s voice is horribly unpleasant and such a ludicrous exaggeration that it bordered on offensive, which is a shame because I believe the author was really trying to be inclusive with her characters.
I wonder how all of this came across “on paper”. So much so, that I just downloaded the e-book.
It’s a bummer that I have to give this such a low score, but I have been tasked with evaluating the audiobook, not the story.

Bourne is not like most towns. No one visits and people rarely leave. Alive that is.

A generation ago the town of Bourne was ravaged by a local chemical plant. The plant poisoned the local water supply. Many died. Many of the survivors are also suffering from the effects. And the next generation has an inordinate amount of birth defects.

The Mitchell triplets- Mab, Monday, and Mirabel- were born as the town was falling apart. Mab, first born, is 'normal', but faces immense pressure to be successful while being grateful that she does not have any lasting effects. Monday, second born, suffers from autism. Mirabel, third born, while extremely smart, cannot speak and is confined to a wheel chair. Their dad died before they were born. Their mother, Nora, has been searching for proof the plant was cognizant for the class-action lawsuit.

Then the unthinkable happens. The Templeton family, owners of the plant, move to town with plans to re-open it. The Mitchells' search for answers becomes even more frenzied. They are desperate to find proof before history can repeat itself.

This book is told by the triplet's POVs. It alternates between them. I listened to the audiobook and a different narrator is used for each POV. Every chapter I found myself thinking that the sister narrating was my favorite. I can't pick one. Although, I think I enjoyed Monday's chapters the most.

The audiobook is great. All three narrators do a fantastic job. It is very clear. It is easy to follow. Sometimes when audiobooks switch POVs, it can be difficult to follow. The use of different narrators prevents that. Plus each of the sisters has their own 'voice' (distinct way of thinking/speaking).

As far as audiobooks go, it is fairly long. Nearly 15 hours. However it flew by. I was hooked from the beginning and I could not wait to find out what happened next.

This book is very different than anything I've read recently, which was very refreshing. I debated knocking a star off because the ending was not perfect for me, but ultimately, the rest of the book was so great that I couldn't do it.

I received a copy of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

Even though this is labeled as Women’s Fiction, it reads more like YA, and really belongs in that category.
The story centers around the failing, abandoned town of Bourne, which has been all but destroyed by a chemical plant that had been poisoning the residents while it was in operation. Although the plant has been closed for almost two decades, the townspeople are still reeling from the aftermath, with serious health issues and a dismal economy.
When moving trucks and construction equipment are spotted around town, the citizens of Bourne learn that the chemical plant is planning to reopen. The town is split between those who believe the plant reopening will pump life back into the community and those who think the return of the plant is will literally be the town’s death knell.
The fight between the simple folk and the evil corporation eventually jumps the shark a bit, but the story’s redeeming elements are the narrators, teenage triplets Mab, Monday and Mirabelle. The sisters, individually and together, are quite charming.
Thanks to #netgalley and #henryholtandcompany for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I downloaded a new audiobook in the hopes that the Netgalley app updates would take care of the issues of listening at some other speed than 1.0. When I listen on my phone without headphones, it's ok (but not completely right), but with headphones, 1.25 is echo-y and still unlistenable.

I enjoyed this audiobook. I liked the different voices for each character and different perspectives.

The “eco-thriller” genre is booming. And Laurie Frankel’s new book, “One Two Three,” is a great addition to the growing list of books about the environment. In particular, she writes about polluted waters and their effects a generation later.

The town of Bourne faces a catastrophe when a chemical plant contaminates the waters. Then it closes down and leaves everyone in its wake affected. Twenty years later, the residents have birth defects, cancer and other disabilities. Not to mention, no one new is coming to town.

This book is about Norah, the mother of three girls, who is waging a very long legal battle against the company. It’s shows her grit and determination to see it through, despite the cost and people trying to back out. Norah’s daughters—triplets—are central characters who each narrate their own viewpoint. This is an unusual but relatable family.

I love that Frankel includes a person with a disability. In fact, one of the three sisters, Mirabelle, communicates using an AAC device. (AAC = Augmentative and Alternative Communication). Macmillan Audio uses special effects in the editing process. They enable the narrator’s voice to sound like an authentic computer-generated voice.

The audiobook is bound to make this a better story. That's due to the awesome voice talent of Emma Galvin, Jesse Vilinsky and Rebecca Soler. They create fantastic, memorable characters. And they help us relate to the young high school teens who sound like sisters!

Frankel accomplishes her goal of wanting to be more inclusive with her storytelling. And she shines a light on the need for accessibility and accommodation. She also shows how young people can be the voice of change and help take action. Her triplets are inspiring and empowering young women!

My only wish is that this book had less content. There’s too much build up. It took about a third of the way into the story where Frankel’s girls make their point, and then it gets good.

Many thanks to Macmillan Audio for giving me access to an advanced listener copy of the book, via NetGalley. This is my honest review.