Member Reviews
JT Ellison is one of my absolute favorite authors and with It’s One of Us she brings things to a whole other level. Ellison takes her trademark gripping, breathless thriller, adds an incredibly unique premise, and delivers a novel that’s also a deeply poignant story about our deepest desire for love, family, and happiness. Brimming with tension and raw emotion, it’s the perfect book club pick. I’ll be thinking about this book for a very long time.
Thank you Netgalley & HTP Books for an eARC of It’s One of Us by J.T. Ellison! I was so excited to be able to read this book prior to pub day in February of 2023.
What’s it about?
Olivia is a home interior designer, but her biggest desire is to become a mother - and the many efforts she’s made keep failing. When she feels like she’s hit her lowest point, she and her husband, Park, are told by the police that DNA results show the prime suspect in a murder investigation being Park’s son. Until now, Olivia had no idea that Park donated sperm to a clinic in the past. He has no idea how many children now result from that.
When the man she’s married and loves has fathered a killer, can she hold it against him when Olivia has secrets of her own? These secrets can truly make - or break - a marriage.
I never start a review by jumping right to the Author’s Note - But I have to say that this one had me in tears. Ellison dives into the statistic that 10% of women suffer from infertility - herself being one of them. This book focuses majorly on infertility - the physical and emotional aspects, well-meaning advice offered that never feels as such and relationships impacted. Ellison found the strength to tell a part of her own story through Olivia and Park, all while delivering an intense thriller story that is WILD!
The plot is compelling, and the various characters are authentic and developed well throughout. Each point of view truly offers a unique voice and style. I couldn’t put this one down, and knowing that these characters have an even deeper meaning to to the author makes me feel so grateful to read the story, and I’m sure that many trying to and struggling to conceive and maintain pregnancy will find something to relate to in this book while also enjoying the thriller elements of this story. If you may be triggered by the content, please keep this in mind before reading, too. 5 stars.
Loved this book! Truly suspenseful. I felt like I was guessing the whole time, and the ending was perfect!
I'm a big fan of J.T. Ellison's books and It's One Of Us did not disappoint! A unique, thought-provoking premise with no shortage of secrets and twists, this was an engrossing read from start to finish!
I realize I am in the minority here from reading other reviews, but I really did not like this book. I loved the premise of this book: a woman, Olivia, desperately trying to conceive with her husband, Park, who happens to be her high school sweetheart. (Although they did split for a time).
A woman is found murdered and the DNA points to Park's son. Must be a mistake thinks Olivia, as Park has no children. Only to discover that while in college he was a sperm bank donor and has dozens of children, who have found each other and formed an online collective called The Halves. As the story unfolds, the reader finds out about other suspicious deaths that have occured throughout Park's lifetime and that leaves Olivia wondering if she really knows her husband at all.
I realize that being pregnant can create a range of hormones and emotions, but the constant back and forth about Olivia's feelings for Park created a vision of a child pulling petals from a flower and saying, "He loves me. He loves me not." I also took issue with some of the information the police shared- not realistic at all. And how thing get wrapped up in the end was just a little too tidy for me.
Thanks to the publisher and Net Galley for an advanced copy of this book.
One of the best I have read in a long time! Ellison has created a compelling plot with an original premise that is combined with authentically crafted characters and a plot twist at the end. This page turner was completed in a matter of hours - I could not put it down. Such a great read - kudos!
This was my first J.T. Ellison book and won’t be my last! I really enjoyed this thriller (although long) it was executed well and kept my attention. I love the whole sperm donor concept and the multiple storylines. This is definitely a book full of drama and aecrets!
3.5⭐️
I don’t like the writing style. I’m not going to finish this one so I can’t speak to the overall success of the plot. I hated the prologue and was disappointed that the book had a similar style when you get past it. The reviews were so good so maybe I’m there only one who feels this way.
Thanks @netgalley for read number 108 of 2022. With heading back into the classroom this week, it took me longer to read this book, but it was fantastic! I thought that the twist in the middle was it, but there were more — right to the very last page! A ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ read in my books. I loved the multiple viewpoints. TW - infertility
A woman trying to conceive finds out her husband was a former sperm donor. How does this connect to the killing of a local woman she knew? When another woman goes missing, ties to her husband come to light. An interesting novel that keeps one reading with a twist at the end that some will not see coming. Interesting story lines for various characters, the ending was a little to quick and tidy.
t's One of Us by J.T. Ellison Engrossing, suspenseful and thought provoking domestic thriller with a unique and original premise. Spot on personality and character development. Everyone lies and has secrets which makes the ONE hard to predict until the very last pages. Highly recommended.
Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to preview the book.
This was a fantastic thriller from beginning to end. Each point-of-view chapter was unique in voice, style, and motivation, every one as engaging as the last. The characters and twists were believable, and although it felt like a quick read, it held quite a bit of depth. Very much enjoyed this!
A book about a sperm donor and the children that are born because of it. One of those children is a murderer. Olivia and Park become targets in this mystery.
Lots of trigger warnings for this one- so check those if you're concerned. However, this was a great book and filled with so many twists and turns. Loved the premise and I haven't seen it done before. Flew through this one in two sittings because I just had to know how it would turn out. Definitely recommend!
Wow, this was a WILD ride. So.many.twists!! Sooo00 much happening but yet it didn't feel too rushed or like the author was trying to cram too many story lines in. This was truly a fantastic thriller with a lot happening at all times so even if you may predict something, you probably won't see what's coming next!
This book was sent to me by Netgalley for review. Mystery and intrigue…murder and mayhem…friends and family…secrets…the protagonist wants a child…she and her husband have tried…now look who shows up…what will happen next? Who committed this murder? Was it a relative? This book was written as fiction but also reads like nonfiction…a crime story that could be a television show…the story moves slowly at times. It comes to a resounding end.
🩸BOOK / REVIEW🩸
Y'ALL.
I can't even put into words WTF I just finished reading 🤯
@thrillerchick you have ABSOLUTELY, MARVELOUSLY OUTDID YOURSELF with #itsoneofus - seriously what a total rollercoaster this was from start finish.
JT will always be an #autobuy for me. I truly can't describe the mindf*ck you will experience when reading one of her books.
This one was incredibly unique, but I would be remiss if I didn't mention this is fraught with trigger warnings: miscarriage, infertility, adoption, sperm donation and the list goes on 👀👀👀 Also, please read the author’s note. I, too, am #1in10 - and I applaud JT for her vulnerability ❤️
I WILL NOT GIVE ANYMORE AWAY. LAWDIE BE - the lies in this one run deep. Legit - add to the #tbr IMMEDIATELY ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the digital ARC!
Wow, this was a WILD ride. So.many.twists!! Sooooo much happening but yet it didn’t feel too rushed or like the author was trying to cram too many story lines in. This was truly a fantastic thriller with a lot happening at all times so even if you may predict something, you probably won’t see what’s coming next!
Fun thriller! I have read JT Ellison before and enjoyed her—this was no exception. Quick read and even though I guessed the twists, I really enjoyed it.
Quick, interesting read. The story moves along quickly and keeps you guessing. What would you do if you knew your mother used a sperm donor? Would you want to learn who your father was and what he is like? Would you want to find out if you have siblings?