Member Reviews
Thanks netgalley for this interesting story, though I did work out about Sarah’s twin sister.
Sarah was happy with her life and loved her dog poppy who had two crippled back legs and had wheels to help her walk.
Sarah walked every day in Central Park where she met Bradley.
Bradley was every girls dream, handsome and wealthy and Sarah thought she could fall in love with him.
But her twin was not happy with the arrangement, and wanted Bradley for herself.
Then Sarah decided to do something about it, and life got more dangerous.
An amazing read by Arianne Richmonds. Great pacing and intrigue with plot twists you won’t see coming! This novel is sure to be a hit! You won’t soon forget the cast and you’ll always wonder what happens next with Sara and Bradley and Sara’s twin sister. It’ll be very difficult to put this book down and you’ll be so happy to get back to it!
Special thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for this terrific ARC!
Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
One Happy Family by Arianne Richmonde is a well-written psychological thriller with a dash of romance. The story revolves around Sara, a young woman living in New York City who enjoys a seemingly ideal life. She enjoys walking around Central Park with Poppy, her rescue dog. She has close friends like an aunt who raised her, her neighbor, and her neighbor's handsome son Jack. She's also recently started dating Bradley, a rich man with a job in finance. Everything seems to be going well. Then, her twin sister Cece rolls back into her life. Whereas Sara is shy and rather introverted, Cece is a fun and flirtatious Instagram influencer. What will happen when Bradley meets Cece? Will Cece seduce him away from Sarah? And what dangerous secrets are these people hiding?
Here is a chilling excerpt from Chapter 1, which is a flash-forward to the end of the book:
"The detective handed me a coffee. I was expecting it to be in a Styrofoam cup like you see on TV, but it was paper. I took it and counted to ten trying to calm my nerves, my hands trembling slightly, wondering whether I should keep my mouth shut or come clean. I realized, too late, they now had my fingerprints all over the cup. A ruse to trap me, no doubt, their friendliness masquerading as a kind gesture in offering a drink. Would they sample my saliva from the cup for DNA? Probably. I'd see this box-of-a-room at least a hundred times on cop shows, but as an onlooker, an observer, cozy and safe on my couch, snuggled up to Poppy, sipping a glass of wine. Right now, I was in it. I was the antagonist. Square in the middle of it all. And it was real life, not fiction. I closed my eyes, willing it all to go away. The mess I'd started. I only had myself to blame."
Overall, One Happy Family is an unputdownable thriller that will have you guessing until the end. I could not put this book down and ended up finishing it in one day. One highlight of this book is the casual wish-fulfillment aspects of the book. Who hasn't dreamed of living in New York City and being swept off your feet by a millionaire bachelor who respects your decisions to keep your relationship slow? And who hasn't thought about what it would be like to have an identical twin who you can switch places with for fun a la The Parent Trap? I thought that this book was both well-written and a fun psychological thriller. If I had to complain about something, I would have to say that I saw the main twist coming pretty early on, which was disappointing, but I did not expect the final twist in the last chapter. If you're intrigued by the excerpt above, or if you're a fan of psychological thrillers, I highly recommend that you check out this book when it comes out in October!
Four Months Ago: It was love at first sight for Bradley. He saw Sara and her rescue dog Poppy across Central Park and knew she was it. She might not have been so sure at first, but his relentless positivity won her over. He's gorgeous, looks like he just stepped right out of a film noir movie and is hopelessly devoted to her.
Now: Sara is being questioned for the mysterious disappearance of her twin sister. They'd always been inexplicably linked in ways she couldn't ever fully explain, despite everything she'd done to her, despite all the secrets they were holding on to. Bradley didn't even know she had a sister, so when he starts following her very popular Instagram account and going quiet on her - she was worried. Something strange was happening, and now Sara can't stop replaying the last thing she ever said to her sister - I wish you were dead.
"We thought as one, did as one. We were the ultimate double act. It never occurred to me that anything or anyone could come between us. Especially not myself."
You hear the phrase 'I didn't see it coming' used a lot when it comes to books, but Arianne Richmonde has once again proved herself to be a master manipulator. It's almost impossible to review her books at times because all I want to do is scream very loudly about the many, many times she seduced me into a false sense of security before tricking me all over again. You think you know exactly where this story is going, it seems obvious who the villain is right? It's never that simple.
Starting off slow and sweet, this story was told through a 'then vs now' format, giving us just the right amount of information to keep us hooked. We watch Sara and Bradley as their new relationship forms, and try to fill in the gaps between then and now when something catastrophic has happened. Arianne has a slow-burning, aching writing style that might not leave you gasping in shock but instead with an unshakeable chill and the feeling you need to check the door is locked.
Sara was crafted perfectly - I felt an immediate connection to her and Poppy, and Bradley left me feeling there had to be something else going on under the flashy suits and charm. Each character we meet has so many layers to be uncovered and you never know who to trust. I loved the relationships between the different people along the way, from Sara and her twin Cece with their complex and convoluted relationship to her beautiful caring relationship with her ageing neighbour.
From the first page till the very last, I was gripped - right until the very last, sudden turn that left me reeling.
One Happy Family
Arianne Richmonde
Published by Bookouture
Publication Date: October 19, 2021
Review Date: September 17, 2021
Many thanks to NetGalley & Bookouture for allowing me early access to this ARC..
One Happy Family is a fast paced page-turner from cover to cover.. I really enjoyed this book. The ending wasn’t very surprising, as the author dropped hints all over the place. Still, it’s a great story.. Those readers who enjoy a shorter book that doesn’t skimp on the action, this one is Definitely for you. I’m looking forward to more great reads by Arianne Richmonde.
Such a good read it was so twisty and unpredictable. I couldn't wait to find out what happened. A gripping read
For lovers of gripping psychological thrillers like The Girl on the Train, Gone Girl and The Wife Between Us, you will love this book. Addictive novel from a USA Today bestselling author- you would not drop the book and read it beginning to end.
This is the story of a man and a girl who meet in a park, little does the girl know at the time that the man has been watching her and become smitten by her. Soon they meet and a relationship develops but both are keeping secrets from the other and as we all know this never works out well. I enjoyed this book, I liked the characters and they way they were portrayed, each adding their own to the development of the story and I felt we got to know them as the book progressed. Twists and turns were thrown in here and there that kept the entertainment factor going and the plot was sound. I would recommend this book who have a few hours to escape into the world Arianne Richmonde has created, to me it was time well spent. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Bookouture Thank you again for One Happy Family advance ebook!
Thank you NetGalley for the chance to read it.
And Arianne for writing yet again another badass book!
I have read Richmonde's other two books The Newlyweds and The Wife's House....
Arianne knows how to write suspense thrillers like nobody's business.
It's honestly amazing how thriller authors do it!
But she ounce again knocks it outta the park with One Happy Family!
Sara our main character has secrets she wants to keep at bay when she meets handsome Bradley at the park one day! But does Bradley hold some dark secrets of his own?
An addictive, beautifully-written, masterful that is hands down a must-read.
I loved this atmospheric thriller and was hooked early on by the characters, the mystery, the location and the promise of so many secrets to be slowly revealed.
Four stars only because I wished the story had a boom ending!
This was a fun read. Two identical twins who couldn’t be more different. Cecilia is outgoing and vivacious. Sara is introverted and withdrawn. Both parents are dead so Sara and Cecilia are each other’s “happy” family. But along comes Bradley. He and Sara begin dating and, of course, that complicates the relationship between Sara and Cecilia. The story is told from alternating POVs and is fast-paced and interesting from start to finish. There is a big twist and an “aha” moment near the end. A well-written thriller.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with the opportunity to read and review this book!
Girl meets man in the park. He seems too good to be true... Based on this premise, we all think we know where this is going, but you would be wrong.
Yes he has secrets. But so does she.. Halfway through I figured out what her big secret was and it didn't matter. Watching this story continue to unfold was like a train wreck and I couldn't look away. I saw what was coming (or thought I did) and was like "where's the popcorn?"
An alternate ending was hinted at, and I really thought that was where the book was going. And I honestly think I would have preferred it. I wish I could share but that gives too much away.
So what did I like about this book?
It was a fun, easy read
The story was something different which is hard to find
The writing was really good - i could picture the whole thing. It felt like a movie waiting to happen.
The dog in the story was so precious I couldn't stand it.. (hey - bonus points for rescuing a handicapped dog)
It was suspenseful and you could feel the tension build
What didn't I like?
I didn't connect with Sara as much as I would have liked to. Later, I understood why, but still I like to FEEL the characters.
I didn't love the ending - I liked it, but I wanted just a little more.
Overall I truly enjoyed this book and totally recommend it.
I want to thank the author, the publisher and #netgalley for the ARC which did not impact my review,.
Secrets, secrets, secrets. Most people have at least one, and they sure can be burdens to bear. Secrets often lead to lies, lies lead to betrayals, and betrayal - well, that can lead to all kinds of things. You won’t believe where it leads one woman in this book…
Sara is an artist, living in Manhattan and doing illustrations and graphics for book covers. Her job is a passion of hers, as is her love for her paralyzed rescue dog, Poppy Delight. Sara has many acquaintances but not really any close friends, as she grew up in Africa (her parents did medical work in other countries). Since moving to America, she mostly just spends her days working and taking Poppy to Central Park.
One day while at the park, a man strikes up a conversation. He is very persistent, meeting her there often, and while she plays it coy for a few weeks, eventually she accepts an invitation to dinner at his house. She doesn’t understand why he’s attracted to her though - she is an artist usually in t-shirts and leggings, she doesn’t use makeup or fuss with her appearance, and she lives in a tiny, cluttered apartment with her handi-capable dog. This gorgeous man, Bradley, lives in a penthouse that overlooks Central Park and has a kitchen twice the size of her apartment. He works on Wall Street, wears designer three-piece suits and keeps his all-white home immaculate without the help of housekeepers. What does he want with her?
Part of her insecurity stems from issues with her sister, Cecelia. Identical twins, the two could not be more opposite. Sara is quiet, a bit meek, happy in her routine and life. Cece is outgoing, adventurous, very into her appearance due to being an Instagram influencer, and has the ability to capture the attention of most men. Sara is terrified of Bradley meeting her sister and falling for the “hotter” twin, so the secrets begin…
Speaking of secrets, that’s about all you’ll get out of me with this book! Telling any more would ruin the rest, but don’t worry - the author gives you little specks of spoilers the whole way, leaving you second-guessing yourself. I only semi-enjoyed the ending; it was surprising but not mind-blowing, much like the rest of the book, thus my four star rating. I don’t even think the last chapter was needed - I think it was to give one more secret away, but it wasn’t necessary and felt like it was just shoved in at the last minute. Still, a very entertaining mystery/thriller that will keep you on your toes!
(I’d like to thank the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review.)
Wow
One Happy Family grabbed my interest from the first few pages and did not let go
What a thrilling and exciting read! Really look forward to discover more by this author
#OneHappyFamily #NetGalley
An ok read.
Detective Elba and Detective Pearce are Interrogating Sara for her sister, Cece. Sara met a man named Bradley in Central Park and slowly their relationship started. But Cece is making trouble for her, again. Or is she?
Sara and Cece were different since their birth although their look is similar. Sara designs book covers while Cece is a famous Instagram girl.
What happened with Cece? Is Bradley really good or not? What's the secret of Sara?
I personally think that the storyline is really interesting but if one pays attention then one can figure out what is the main twist of the story and when it was revealed I wasn't surprised at all. It was going good until 64% but then it fell until 74% then it became boring for me because I figured out the ending.
What I Like? :-
1 The premise.
2 The sisters secret.
3 Story length.
What I Don't Like? :-
1 Narration. I think it was slow.
2 Bradley's character.
3 The ending which didn't have much to offer.
You can read it one time without expecting much.
Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for giving me an advanced copy of this psychological thriller.
I enjoyed this book and it had me consumed from the start. Although I guessed part of the plot twist, it was still so fun and suspenseful to read. Thank you to Netgalley & the publisher for this pre-release in exchange for my honest review!
A roller coaster of red herrings and suspense! Not the typical "twin" scenario and no one or nothing is what they seem to be, right to the very end. Solid mystery, read it in one day.
This is a really quick read. The plot sounded promising so I powered through to see how everything would unfold but I wasn't surprised by the ending.
One Happy Family was full of surprising twists and turns. You will want to soak in everything until the very last page. Arianne Richmonde skillfully dropped hints throughout the chapters that will leave you guessing until the end.
Sara Keller is a New York book designer with a simple life and a "handi-capable" dog, Poppy Delight. Bradley Daniels, a desirable man with two-thousand dollar suits who works on Wall Street, sees her and pursues her in carefully calculated ways until he finally secures a date with her. Sara fells comfortable with Bradley, at first, but after her friends and family start telling her about the missing and dead women from his past, Sara starts to wonder if she might be next. When Cecelia, Sara's twin sister, enters the picture, with her sun-kissed body and bloated Instagram following, will it jeopardize Sara's way of life and her budding relationship with Bradley, or can they all be One Happy Family?
I read the book in two days, and I was interested throughout the story. There were only a couple of long chapters, so with the shorter chapters and the alternating points of view, the story was fast-paced. I will definitely read more books by Arianne Richmonde.
I recommend the book for mature readers, due to some sexual scenes.
What a great storyline, I was pleasantly surprised by the endng what a twist.There are 2 identical twins one is quiet and has a handicapped dog the other who is outgoing and loves posting on social media. When Bradley becomes the boyfriend of one of the sisters the other goes about trying to destroy it.
They had suffered a family tradegy with the loss of their parents which had a major impact on one of the twin and what happened next.
I loved this book. The ending wasn't what i expected it to be. Read it and find out what happened.
One Happy Family
Arianne Richmonde
Bookouture
Publication Date: October 19, 2021
Review Date: September 9, 2021
One Happy Family is about two identical sisters and a boyfriend. The sisters are Sara who is quiet, keeps to herself, and is raising a handicapped rescue dog; and Cece, an Instagram influencer, posing in thong bikinis on beautiful exotic beaches. They look exactly alike, but are completely different in every other way. Some tragedy in their past keeps Sara away from Cece, but Cece tries to get back into her life. And yes, Sara’s boyfriend is involved…..
The title is ironic, of course. But, you already knew that, didn’t you? This family is anything but one big happy family. Richmonde leaks secrets as the reader makes her/his way through the chapters. It’s an easy read and hard to put down. A pure psychological thriller!
5 stars