This, unfortunately, was not my favorite book by J.T. Ellison.

There are a few triggers in this one so be warned. I was fascinated by the DNA aspect of this book. Being a big fan of Ancestry.com myself (I know nothing of my Dad), I loved the fact that the siblings connected with each other and started to bond. And when they found out that one of them was a murderer, that was even more fascinating still.

So, if I liked that aspect, what didn't I like? Some of the characters. For one, I didn't like Park. You are lead to believe that he is a thoughtful and caring husband and that is anything but the case. I just didn't think that some of the plot was believable. If Perry was a great guy and she loved him, then why, even if he was going off to school didn't she tell him she was pregnant? And they never really connected after that and years later she marries his brother, even though she still has feelings for him.

Was it suspenseful? I'm not sure I would even say that. I did keep reading but by the end I just didn't care too much anymore. And the twist? I saw it coming unfortunately, but I do read a lot of books like this.

The premise of this mystery/thriller is so current with its ties to DNA profiling, varied ways of creating families, and the questions about ethics in biological matter donation. Olivia and Park are having a heartbreaking time trying to have a child. Their connection to a local murder begins to open up questions about Park's past sperm donation they find themselves in the middle of a tough investigation. There were so many twists and such big questions popping up throughout this story, I was on the edge of my seat the whole read. The last quarter of the book felt a bit complicated to me and I needed to reread a few parts to keep things straight. I couldn't wait to figure out the conclusion and it kept my interest high until the very end. This was a fun ride and got me thinking about a lot of modern questions. Thanks to J.T. Ellison, Harlequin Trade Publishing/MIRA, and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

It's One of Us by J.T. Ellison is a fast-paced page-turner that kept me hooked from start to finish.

This book begins with, and mainly follows Olivia and her husband Park. They have been struggling to have a baby, and have undergone a variety of fertility treatments., which is putting a huge strain on their relationship. The only thing that could make it worse? A woman has been found murdered, and DNA results from the scene show that the murderer is Park's son. Turns out that years ago, Park donated to a sperm bank, with no knowledge of how many times his sample was used. But it would seem that it was used at least once, and his son is a murderer. But new layers to this story continue to unwind over time which keeps the cops coming back to Park. Could he be involved? Does this murder have ties to a murder from his past?

This story reveals itself over time in such a way that keeps you very invested from start to finish. There are a variety of red herrings in the book to give you pause, and make you consider a variety of different possibilities of what is really going on here.

The stress of fertility treatments was handled incredibly well, including real medications and procedures that one would go through when dealing with infertility, along with very well-thought-out emotions behind fertility issues. It makes the characters, mainly Olivia, seem much more real to me. I enjoyed that there were a few big twists in the book and they unfolded at different times, so just as you were coming down from one shock, another one hit you.

My only real criticism of this book is that I think Park's brother was underutilized in the plot of this story. I don't want to go into this further so I can avoid spoilers, but I think there were a number of really interesting ways he could have been involved in this book. Instead, it felt more like he could have been removed from the book altogether and it wouldn't have changed anything. I just think he could have been used in a much more interesting way.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and am glad I read it! Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC of It's One of Us by J.T. Ellison.

I rate this book a 4.5/5, rounding up to a 5.

Olivia’s life is turned upside down when her husband’s DNA is matched as the father of a murder suspect. They have been trying and struggling to have kids of their own, so she is shocked when she learns he donated sperm and now is the father of tons of children, one of whom is a killer. As the investigation unravels, more secrets are revealed.

There were highs and lows of this book for me! It started out a little slow and then I was like yes, this is so good. But then the killer’s identity is revealed earlier than expected (and I thought a bit obvious). After that, I thought it wasn’t as engaging. I think part of it was the killer’s motivation felt strange.

I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Oh man, did this one keep me on my toes!

First and foremost, please know that this book deals HEAVILY with the topics of miscarriage, infertility, etc. It's not a scene or a small part; literally the plot of the entire book hinges on these topics. Please go in aware.

That being said, the story itself was WILD. There's not much I can say without giving spoilers, but I truly had no idea how this was going to end and would have never guessed the actual ending, I loved that the book was told from so many perspectives in short and binge-worthy chapters.

While I couldn't put it down, there were definitely parts that disturbed me!

The reveal was such a long time coming and then the last couple chapters seemed rushed and a seemed to miss a little something for me. It just felt a little random to me, to be honest. I do think this will be a huge hit when it hits the shelves February 21st!

Thank you so much to Harlequin Trade Publishing, MIRA for the ARC!

I like the premise of this book, especially the idea of half siblings coming together via DNA testing. Overall though, it was difficult to connect with the characters and this one was just okay for me.

4.5 stars

Synopsis: Olivia and Park Bender have been struggling with fertility for a while. One night, they receive shocking news: the police are investigating a local murder and the primary suspect is Park's son. This brings to light a secret Park thought would remain hidden- that he donated sperm to a fertility clinic in graduate school. As the plot starts to unravel, it becomes clear that this murder suspect isn't his only child.

Thoughts: Firstly, I want to applaud Ellison for her realistic and emotional portrayal of fertility struggles. If you read her author's note at the end, you come to learn of her personal connection. Still, this might be triggering for readers who have experienced infertility or fertility difficulties. Overall, It's One of Us is a unique thriller that offers a wide range of perspectives using brief chapters. I really enjoyed moving from person to person as the plot unfolded. At times, it felt a little overwhelmed by the many subplots occuring; however, things came together in the end. This had all of the essential elements of a solid thriller story, and I enjoyed the incorporation of more "human" aspects, such as the fertility struggles and messiness of some of the relationships to balance out the story.

Thank you to HTP for my ARC.

This book was an emotional roller coaster ride for me. I loved the entire ride, but I have to confess that the honesty with which the author deals with the heartbreaking topic of infertility was gut-wrenchingly realistic and a chance to really understand what some of my close friends have gone through. Olivia and Park Bender are trying desperately to have a child when Olivia discovers that Park has fathered children as a sperm donor when he was in college. Not only that, but drum roll for the added dramatic twist, one of his children is a serial killer and has left DNA at a crime scene. Olivia’s world is supposed to be one of order and beauty as she designs home interiors, creating wonderful spaces for happy homes. Instead, her world is instantly an insane combination of reporters, police, distrust of her husband and loss of a dream. The story is told in multiple points of view and although I enjoyed getting into the mind of each character, I identified with and enjoyed Olivia’s POV best. Park was not a favorite character, although he was a devoted husband and wanted to be a father as Olivia wanted to be a mother. The twists that happen in the telling of the intricate web of deceit, murder, infertility and sperm banks was so well written that I was waiting for the documentary credits to roll at the end. I learned from this book as well as being entertained and totally absorbed by the story. The ending was a surprise twist that I didn’t see coming and so good! The fast pace, the mesmerizing topics and the mystery all made this book one of the best books that I have ever read! To leave this book behind would be a travesty. It is haunting in its transparent look at a difficult topic and informative in a way that made me empathetic to friends and to the main character. I would give the book ten stars if possible, five for the writing including the plot and the characters and five more for educating me about infertility in an entertaining yet heart-tugging way. As an added note, if you are a reader who stops reading at the end of the book and doesn’t read dedications, acknowledgements, author’s notes, etc., I recommend that you read all the way to the end, every word on every page and let yourself be caught up in the sacrifice that writing this book must have cost the author.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guidelines Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

Olivia is sad. Oh, so sad. She started bleeding this morning. Another miscarriage. It just isn’t fair. Six times she has miscarried! Is she being punished? Is her husband being punished? Olivia doesn’t know how she is going to make it through this day. Unfortunately, this thoroughly horrible morning is going to get much worse.
Olivia heads downstairs to share her misery. Her husband, Park, is always so loving after one of these loses. Before she has a chance to tell him, their doorbell rings and Park opens the door to two strangers who announce that they are police. Both Olivia and Park are baffled as to what lead the detectives to their doorstep. Speaking calmly and slowly, the detectives ask if either knows Beverly Cooke? Olivia says she was in a book club a while back with Beverly but doesn’t know her well. Park tells them he’s never met her. The detectives proceed to tell the couple they found DNA in Beverly’s car and it is a familial match to Park. Then the detectives ask Park where his son is? Both Park and Olivia are shocked. They don’t have a son! What are these detectives talking about? So, begins a wonderful mystery. Read and enjoy.

Yea for J. T. Ellison! This was a thrilling book. It captured my attention early in the book and did not relent until the very end. I found the ending very enjoyable and twisted. Ellison’s writing is as mesmerizing and addictive as Allison Brennan.

I am always thrilled when I receive an email from this author that her book is up on NetGalley!

On a cold and snowy day, there is nothing better than the author’s stories. Thrilling, Scary, and possible, which is what makes them so scary.

Olivia and Park Bender seem to be living the dream. Careers going well, Park even has a writing side gig. Olivia owns a design firm and gives her clients everything they desire. But her one desire goes unfulfilled as she loses baby after baby. The struggles have taken a toll on their marriage as well.

Park has been acting odd lately and Olivia is suspicious. And then one day the police show up at their door asking to see their son. From her, it is all downhill. And very on-topic for right now. Using genealogy to track killers and find who your real parents are can be fun and fulfilling. It can also be deadly.

A woman that they knew had been found murdered. The DNA matches Parks in a way that confirms he has been a very busy and secretive boy. Making himself look even worse are all the nasty secrets he has kept. But is he a killer? Is his son a killer?

Oh my, the tangled web of lies we keep until a stiff breeze comes along and scatters them everywhere, letting everyone see who we really are. Scary.

No one does twisty, emotional and so layered thrillers like Ellison. That is all I’m saying except for this. READ IT.

NetGalley/ February 21st, 2023 by MIRA

My new favorite Ellison book. This one kept me guessing and completely invested in the story and the characters, even while more and more layers of secrets were revealed. Ellison has written a multi-layered masterpiece of suspense, betrayal, lies, and murder. The story does deal with the very difficult topic of infertility, which is even more heartbreaking to read the author's very personal journey of infertility in the end papers. It's One of Us is fast-paced, timely, and it provides a unique look at the age old question of whether the murder gene is a real thing that can be passed down through the generations. Fascinating! Also, the ending is genius! I loved it. Thank you to the publisher for providing me with an early copy of this book in exchange for honest feedback.

Boy are you in for a ride with this one!

Park and Olivia Bender seem to have it all; the house, the businesses, the perfect life- everything but a child. Olivia cannot stay pregnant and it’s putting quite the strain on their marriage. Someone has broken into Park’s office and Olivia’s new build (she’s an architect/ designer) and left paperwork for her to discover that Park donated sperm when he was in college. Come to find out, Park has 28+ children that I’ve found each other through at-home DNA kits. The kids have created a discord group and call themselves The Halves. Things start to get a bit hairy when it turns out that one of The Halves has committed murder, but which one is it?!?

I figured out who the main murdered was very early on and for that reason, I give this book 4 stars. There was one revelation at the very end that I did not pick up on until the author revealed it (what’s in the letter). Overall, a great thriller.

Thanks NetGalley for the ARC!

Trigger warning: miscarriage, infertility


Sadly, I struggled with this one. I didn't care for or really connect with the characters. The ending felt rushed. There were a couple unexpected twists, but then things wrapped up to quickly. There wasn't as much tension or suspense as I expect with this genre. I generally enjoy multiple POV's, but it just didn't work for me in this one. Also, there were too many places where the reader is asked to suspend reality. Infertility is a huge part of the story, and it could be a trigger for some readers.

3,75 stars.

A story about a couple who is struggling to conceive, interwoven with a murder mystery about abducted women. The plot unfolds from the points of view of several characters, including the murderer. The author does quite a good job of developing each character and laying out why they do the things they do, except for the murderer’s obsession with one of the characters (!). Through the characters, the author does raise the issue of nature versus nurture,

I liked many things about this novel, including some good twists and red herrings, the tension around a serial killer on the loose, and a generally well-paced plot. The topic of infertility was handled well - recommend you read the author’s notes at the end of the novel.

However, the twist at the end was just okay and the ending came together too quickly and lacked some of the tension/dread that I was expecting. There were also a couple of plot lines not tied up, in my view.

Overall, a good thriller read.

Thanks to MIRA and Netgallery for this ARC. All opinions are my own.

Let me start by saying that I loved the way this book was set up. Each chapter is narrated by a different character and the chapter titles correlate to the character's title, i.e. The Wife, The Mother, The Murderer, etc. So even though there were a lot of narrators in this book, it was easy to keep track of who was who.

It's One of Us is one of those books where you know all the characters have secrets--you're just not sure of what those secrets are or how bad they might be. I also loved the uniqueness of the plot and how the characters related to each other (literally and figuratively) and I was especially appreciative of the end. I hate when things wrap up all nice and neat--especially in a book where you've just read about murder and violence for 300 or so pages, and I felt like the ending here was relatable and realistic. This was a solid thriller that I will definitely recommend.

Thank you to the publishers @htpbooks and @netgalley for this e-ARC of It’s One of Us!

𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐈𝐅 𝐘𝐎𝐔
👥 enjoy multiple POVs
🌪️ love an unexpected twist
👬 have a twin
🎨 like to decorate

• 𝐐𝐔𝐈𝐂𝐊 𝐓𝐀𝐊𝐄

When a missing woman is discovered at the bottom of the lake, a local man is connected to the killer through a DNA match.

• 𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐈𝐓’𝐒 𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐓

Olivia and Park Bender have been trying to have children for years now, but miscarriage after miscarriage has Olivia feeling guilty and alone. When the cops show up early one morning with information pointing to a criminal having ties to Park, Olivia is beyond confused. Told from multiple POVs, It’s One of Us brings each character’s story and lives closer together to finally reveal every truth and lie they’ve been hiding in the dark.

• 𝐌𝐘 𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒

This was such an intense read, right from the start. I felt so much pain for what Olivia was suffering through with her miscarriages. I also liked the fact that the author threw us right into the story with the murder and the discovery of the body. Park was such an unreliable character, I really didn’t believe or like his POV very much, but the ending had such a twist that I really loved. I also enjoyed how each story connected to another POV at the end of each chapter. It helped me see into everyone’s mind more clearly. The ending left me feeling happy but also frustrated (no spoilers though!)

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

I love when authors work mini-verses into their books, and that's what Ellison does in It's One of Us. She connects the virtual worlds of infertility forums, DNA-linked groups, and social media networks such as Discord to create a multifaceted mystery. Making Nashville seem like a small town must be difficult, but it is well done in this book. I was disappointed to figure out the main mystery right away as soon as the character was introduced in the story. There was a big twist at the end that I also suspected. Predictable though it was, the book was well written and worth staying up until 2am to read!

What a crazy, wild ride! I read this in a day and a half because putting it down was not an option. What would you do if the police showed up at your house one day saying your son was a suspect in a murder? But...you don't have a son? That's where the story starts and it goes full speed until the very end! I absolutely love everything J.T. Ellison writes and It's One of Us did not disappoint! I can't even imagine having to deal with what Olivia did in this story, especially being pushed by her husband to have a child when it just does not seem possible for her. And then finding out he donated to a sperm bank and not has in the double digits children out there somewhere--absolute craziness! Then throw in the fact that one of the sperm donor children is now a serial killer...it was mind-blowing! AND the final twist at the end was awesome! I can't wait to read more from this author!

It's One of Us is an intricately woven drama about what happens when a long forgotten sperm donation ends up as a serial killer suspect. The way these stories came together was so effortless, I was completely enthralled! Fantastic read.