4.5 stars

What a unique premise! I've never read anything like this book, and I hated to put it aside! Themes of morality and sacrifice are key, as well as the question of to what length a parent will go to in order to protect their child, particularly if it requires putting a label on their child. Part of the appeal of the story is the scary reality to the concept. The active pace and numerous twists keeps readers engaged. Overall, this is a great mix of family drama, thriller, and dystopian.

WOW. I went into this book completely blind and I am so glad I did. One of the Boys was a fantastic look into mothers and what they are willing to sacrifice for their sons.

In the dystopian future, a new medical phenomenal has been unveiled. A new “M” gene can now be tested in males which predicts if they will be violent in nature. Soon, the test is so prevalent that it is strongly encouraged to be given to babies at birth. Through the eyes of sisters Antonia whose son Jack has tested negative and Bea whose son Simon has not been tested, readers see the different lives and opportunities that unfold because of a negative test result.

I did a combination of the audiobook and the ebook and they both flew by. The dual narration of the audiobook was especially excellent! While the mothers clearly love their sons, they are both morally grey charged characters. I both sympathized with their situations and struggled with every decision they made. For readers who love a thought provoking read- One of the Boys is a must read!

I don’t think you need to be a mother for this story to resonate but as a mother to a son… I was constantly questioning what I would do in this society. This book is a quick, absolutely gripping thriller which is family driven at it’s core. I read the majority in a day and I highly recommend checking it out.

This dystopian thriller is set in a near future world where a newly discovered M gene has been proven to exist in those males who exhibit violent tendencies. Male babies can now be tested at birth and those who are found to be M-positive can be treated early to try to control their violent behavior throughout their lives.

Unfortunately, those children who do test positive for the gene are also ostracized as outsiders and are no longer welcome in most pre-schools, or any schools, or anywhere actually. They’re treated almost as sub-humans and many end up in prison or living at farms where they are worked hard for barely any pay.

Unless the male children can show proof of being M-negative, they really have no chance at a decent life.

In One of the Boys, two sisters have sons within months of each other. One son tests negative and the other never has the test done. Their lives are so completely different from each other and both mothers will go to any length to protect their sons.

I found this world to be fascinating and horrendous and it hits hard that this scenario could be a probable future. The POVs go back and forth betweeen the sisters and the two sons.

The twists at the end were crazy and I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough.

*Thanks so much to Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for the early copy and for including me in the Blog Tour!*

Antonia and Bea are sisters, and both mothers of teenaged boys they fiercely love. However, this is where their similarities end. Life has taken the siblings on different path- Antonia one of wealth and privilege, Bea a single mother struggling to stay afloat. The sisters also live in a progressive era- one where genetic testing can determine a male child’s predisposition to violent behavior, if they carry the newly identifiable M gene.

So when the polar opposite sisters are given the opportunity to test their newborn sons, they handle the matter differently. Where Antonia decides to test her son, Bea opts not to. But as the years pass by, the reader is introduced to a world where testing is no longer a suggestion, it’s a rite of passage-its results securing entry into the best schools and jobs, sending M positive boys to a life of prejudice, ostracism and hardship.

As the boys approach adulthood, Bea returns to her sister’s home, hoping for temporary refuge from an initially unexplained situation. Even though Antonia is worried about the influence Bea’s son will have on her own, M negative teen, she doesn’t want to turn her sister away. But as the events unfold in both past and present, we learn that sorting the men from the boys might be easier said than done.

One of the Boys is a terrifying dystopian thriller that explores the age old adage of nature vs nurture. The idea that we are born with qualities we cannot change is a dangerous one. This story reminded me a bit of a little known film from the 90s, The Twilight of the Golds which explored a similar testing, only to determine homosexuality. In the era of designer babies, the concept isn’t so far fetched, but is a slippery slope nonetheless.

I highly recommend this story as it is just as thought provoking as it is entertaining.

I enjoyed Curfew, so I was very excited to read this one, but unfortunately did not feel comfortable reading it past the first page. This was an article about a team of scientists who discovered the violence gene that is talked about in the book and it said that in the world of the book, 97% of men in prison have the violence gene. The author is not American, and I am not familiar with prison systems around the world, but due to the extreme racial bias in the American prison system, this really rubbed me the wrong way. I think that I probably could have been comfortable reading this if the premise had been approached differently, but as-is, I do not feel comfortable reading or reviewing this for my audience.

I really enjoyed Jayne Cowie’s debut novel “Curfew,” which I reviewed a few years ago. She writes dystopian novels that could happen tomorrow, imagining a world where we try to solve a problem through policies and make the world more difficult for men. Curfew imagined a world where all men had a curfew, and One of the Boys imagines a world where scientists discover that most violent men share a gene - called the “M gene.”

I devoured this book in a single day. One of the Boys starts around the time the M gene has been discovered, and parents can test their sons at birth for the gene. Two sisters each have sons in the same year, and one decides to do the test and the other chooses not to, and both POVs are present in the book. By the time the boys are headed to school, schools have started to require boys to test negative for the M gene.

Now, I have a lot more opinions about One of the Boys than I did about Curfew because a lot of the policy is around schools. Cowie lives in London, and I live in the U.S., so I know public school policy is different between our countries, but in the U.S. we’re required to provide access to public education for all children. While that is not perfectly executed or funded, that is the law. By the time the boys were in high school, boys had to show a pass that they were M-negative to be allowed into public places. M positive boys were roaming the street, unable to go to school or have access to jobs. To me, it didn’t feel realistic how quickly things fall apart.

Overall, I found the twists and turns really exciting, and I liked that we had enough POVs that I was able to think about what I would do in the given circumstances, and who I agreed with - instead of having a single POV that I was meant to agree or disagree with. It created a world that gave me something to think about mostly outside of the current political circumstances, and I think it would be a fun one to bring to a book club and discuss with friends.

Rating 4.5/5 (rounded up to 5)

I truly could not put this down. Not only do you get the perspective of the two sisters who were at odds, you also got the perspective of their sons. Bea was very stand offish, cold, hiding something, stubborn as hell, and strong willed. Antonia wasn’t any better and I found her to be pretensious, judgmental, cared too much about what people thought, always the victim, narcissistic, and pushy. Overall, I truly hated her. Jack, the golden child was sneaky, not as innocent as his mother thinks, judgemental, and a smug brat. Simon was more quiet, not sure where he fit, and self conscious.

None of these characters were likeable at all. The only true characters I liked was Simon and the dog. That being said, as unlikeable as they were, I could not stop reading to see what would happen next. The pacing was great, and the timeline of events played out perfectly, giving you glimpse on the part and present as well as the governments involvement. There were some twists I saw coming, and others I did not. This was thought provoking, and truly made me upset over the treatment that was issued on certain boys. Overall, I really did enjoy this story of how far a mother would go to protect their children.

A world where scientist discover a gene as a common denominator in all males that tend to be violent or trouble makers. A world where they start promoting testing for this gene as babies to label them as the + or -. A world where boys are labeled as good or bad just by a gene from the start in their life and treated as such throughout their lives. Two sisters and two sons and two different paths in life because of this test. This was a very curious and thought provoking read bringing to question are good and bad people a product of nature versus nurture? Are people prone to violent tendencies by how they were raised or is it genetically inside of them? I was mind blown by this book and the way the world handled these poor boys in this interesting dystopian like novel. It was such a good read and would make a great book club discussion!

I binged over half this book in one sitting last night - just couldn't put it down! The short chapters, alternating narrators and timelines, and little twists I didn't see coming just kept me flipping the pages faster and faster!

If you love a novel that feels like present day and real life but also has a touch of futuristic / sci-fi aspects, then One of the Boys is definitely for you! It didn't feel far off that more of the human genome could be tracked to isolate a gene that is predictive of violent and aggressive behaviors. And it definitely didn't feel far-fetched to see how that might play out should that kind of gene be isolated.

A story of good versus bad, punishment before the crime, and a total disregard of nature versus nurture -- this novel is incredibly thought provoking and would be a tremendous choice for a book club. Ethical and moral questions and dilemmas abound, this book definitely had me considering my personal feelings and stance on several societal issues that are present even now.

There were many times I felt like I was reading a novel by John Marrs, so if his works are your style, this is one you cannot miss!

Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for the copy of this awesome read!

Parenting is terrifying for many reasons. If you lnow me, you've heard me say, "I'm raising a psychopath. I have yet to figure out which of the two it will be."
This book absolutely feeds into that unknown- terrifying, dark and chilling. Check it out!

WOWZA! I love gripping books that make me think and feel and One of the Boys had me doing those throughout the book. To have your son tested or not, that is the question....

Antonia and Bea are sisters living in a time where there is a test to determine if male infants will grow up to be aggressive. It is called the “M” test and the goal is for the test to be negative. If a male tests positive, everyone will know, and he will be watched and judged closely.

Bea was against testing her son when he was born. She wanted her son to be himself. Not to have a test determine who he was. Antonia had her son tested. She was all for the test and worked alongside her doctor husband in a clinic that provides medication for boys who test positive. Both Bea and Antonia want the best for their son. Each wants their son to have a good life. Both will do what it takes to protect her child.

This was such a thought-provoking book. One test, one simple test can determine not only an individual’s future but the future of the family as well. If you have your child tested, then you know where your son stands. If you don't have your child tested, everyone will question where your child stands. As your son becomes an adult, how will he feel about not being tested? How will he feel about his test results?

This book was captivating, gripping and thought provoking. It sucked me in and did not let go. As a mother to a son, I wondered where I would stand on this issue. What choice would I make?

This was a well written, riveting, original and twist filled book! I enjoyed every page of this book. I had a hard time putting it down as I was fully invested in what was going to happen to all the characters in this book.

This is a book that I will be thinking about for some time.

#OneoftheBoys #NetGalley #JayneCowie #BerkleyPub

Wow! I devoured this book. I think I loved it even more than Curfew. There are a lot of the same themes about toxic masculinity and also the lengths we go to for our kids. That is really even more prominent in this book. We have seen several books where women are the target of inequality and extremism. This has a lot of Handmaid's tale vibes and even Vox, but with the roles reversed. This is where it is a lot like Curfew. I think I was even more drawn to the characters and their relationships. They had some much depth and every single one of them flawed, just like real human beings. Everyone makes poor choices in the name of protecting their kids. As a mom of both a son and a daughter I could see all sides to this whole dysfunctional society. A real thinker, yet kept me on the edge of my seat. Another winner!
Thanks to the publisher for the free copy.

Two sisters.

Two baby boys.

There's an M gene, that if male babies have it, will make them destined towards violent behavior.

Bea never wanted her son, Simon, tested. She thought it would only matter how she raised him.
Antonia had her son, Jack, tested. Luckily for her, he tested negative. These two choices have divided the sisters their whole lives. Now, when Simon is eighteen years old, all of their choices may ruin them.

Wow. This book is so good! So interesting! I loved that we got four points of view- Bea, Antonia, Jack and Simon. Things are not what they seem for everyone. I couldn't stop reading this book. I had a hunch on one thing and needed to know if I was correct. (I was.)

Thank you to Berkley Publishing and NetGalley for an advanced readers copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

As a mom of two boys, this book was chilling. This is the story of two sisters, Bea and Antonia. Both have boys the same age, Simon and Jack. When this story starts, its in a futuristic dystopian society where boys have the option to test if they want to know if their boys have an M gene, which predicts a high likelihood of violence in the future. Antonia has her son Jack tested and he is negative but Bea decides not to have Simon tested. As years pass, the testing becomes more prominent and if you don't get it done, you are shunned.

This thriller was dark with some twists and turns. For whatever reason, I found it slightly predictable but still enjoyable. It was so sad at some parts and I was so frustrated by some of the characters' decisions. As a mom of boys, it felt close to home and I'm not sure what my decision would be. While this took place in a dystopian society, I felt like it could have easily been sometime in this life. This was a very different read for me but I read it in a day because it was so interesting.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an advanced copy. Opinions are my own.

Thank you @berkleypub for letting me read ONE OF THE BOYS early. This one publishes on July 11.

This is a book made for discussion and if you’re looking for your next book club pick, this one is it. I’m glad this is a work of fiction but it’s just plausible enough to make it even more scary. Excellent plot, excellent character development, and perfect pacing made this book a slam dunk for me. I highly recommend this one and I desperately want to talk about it with someone. Get your library holds and preorders sorted now, this one is going to be a big hit.

I just found the most thought-provoking, intellectually-stimulating, heart-wrenching, argument-inducing, perfect for bookclub discussion novel of the year (so far): One of the Boys by Jayne Cowie. I am so glad that the testing for the violent gene a.k.a M gene is fictional. I can just imagine the ethical/moral/legal implications that would ensue if it becomes a reality; not to mention the social stigma and ostracization these M+ ones would face!!!! The story showed the different scenarios - those families who had M- kids, those who had M+ kids and those who refused to have their kids tested. It also showed us the various consequences of the parents’ decisions. The million dollar question of to test or not to test is indeed a tough one! But I can definitely understand each family’s reasoning. The discussion and debate against nature vs nurture is never ending so kudos to the author for writing such a controversial topic! Apart from this. I also loved the fact that the book highlighted the mothers who were just trying their damnest to protect their kids! I don’t really read much dystopian stories, but this one caught and held my attention from start to finish. Definitely a must read!!!

Rating:4.5/5

One thing about Jayne Cowie novels is that the subject matter will make you think. In the simplest form, One of the Boys asks the question ... is violence inherit, or is it a result of expectations? Testing for the gene that can predict violence in boys seems like a great idea, you can treat an offender before they offend, right?? But what if the way a person parents a boy they fear will be violent are inadvertently conditioning that boy to be an offender. And do you see things differently because of what you believe to be true about a person.
One of the Boys is a propulsive and provocative novel, one in which was had to put down. Just enough of a dark dystopian vibe mixed with a moral conversation that makes a reader contemplate what they would do. I think book clubs would have fun reading and discussing this novel. I really like Jayne Cowie and her vivid, unique way to tell a story. Both Curfew and One of the Boys are great reads, and she has become a must-read for me.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an opportunity to read and review honestly an advanced digital copy.

I really, really loved this book! It was so thoroughly thought provoking. It was entertaining while still touching on so many difficult societal issues, which made this a very engrossing read!

Going in, I wasn't sure if I would like this book, because the concept of the violent M gene in boys had a slightly dystopian vibe, something I am not a big fan of. However, the way this book was written, it didn't feel dystopian....it felt scarily close to real life. Basically, the M gene is a factor that completely ostracizes anyone who tests positive for it, and it brought to mind all of the ways our culture has divided itself.

What made this book great was that in addition to this thought provoking content, the plot was stellar. Two sisters, one who runs a clinic for M positive boys, and one who refuses to test her own son, spend a life with this M gene situation standing between them. I was pretty sure what the final outcome was going to be early on, but I knew it was going to be messy and I thoroughly enjoyed watching it all unfold.

The writing was good, the pacing was on point, the plot and suspense were there and the subject content was deep as well. I really don't have a bad thing to say about One of The Boys and I highly recommend it!

I received a free digital copy from the publisher, all opinions are my own.

BOYS WILL BE BOYS!

In Jayne Cowie’s debut, “Curfew” in a Feminist, near future Dystopian World, the freedom of ALL males is curtailed, after a surge of male violence.

This time, she plays with the theme of male violence in a different way…

A team of Scientists have spent ten years studying the genetic makeup of the male prison system, and they discovered that 97% of men in Prison share something- and it isn’t a difficult childhood, poverty or lack of education, the things which have all been blamed….

It’s the “M gene”.

So a large Pharmaceutical company developed a new, non invasive test, a cheek swab, to identify the gene in infants. If M+ boys, can be identified, they can be treated, in the same way you can treat any other medical condition.

If you could test your son for a violence gene, WOULD YOU?

It isn’t mandatory to do so, but soon enough, proof of a negative test will be required for entry into the best pre-schools…and later on, their results will limit M+ or untested males, in other ways as well.

Boys would be punished for crimes they may never commit.

Antonia and Bea, are sisters who couldn’t be more different from one another.

Antonia has married well, and her husband co-owns a clinic that helps parents cope its M+ boys, prescribing drugs, and giving parents tried and true strategies for dealing with their boys. Of course, she believes in the testing, and tested her son Jack early, pleased with his M- result.

“Boys will be Boys” is no longer a valid excuse now that treatment is available.

Bea was unmarried when she found herself pregnant at 23. As a struggling single Mom, she feels the pressure of everyone wanting male infants tested, every day, but she doesn’t want to put her son in a “box”. She finds it abhorrent to classify a baby as good or bad, perfect or imperfect, before they can even walk or talk.

She refuses to test her son, Simon.

Their choices will divide them, and as their sons grow into men, these choices may come back to haunt them.

I really enjoyed CURFEW so, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on her latest offering, and I flew through the pages!!

The idea, or the Science behind it, may seem intimidating but, the story is straightforward and the writing is actually quite SIMPLISTIC, so DON’T let that keep you from reading this one!

Although, I predicted a few of the plot twists, a few others were a bit shocking!

AVAILABLE July 11, 2023!
This book was also released under the title “ I Did It For You” in other markets.

Thank You to Berkley for the gifted copy provided through NetGalley! It was my pleasure to offer a candid review!

I received a gifted galley of ONE OF THE BOYS by Jayne Cowie for an honest review. Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review!

ONE OF THE BOYS follows two sisters and their sons in a world where science has identified the M gene. The M gene is the gene in men that make them violent. Identifying as negative gives someone a lot of advantages in life, but being branded with the gene gives the reverse.

Antonia had her son tested early on and her son has been graced with a negative results. Bea refuses the test, believing that no boy should be branded by having a particular gene in their DNA. Both are fiercely devoted mothers, doing what they believe is best for the son they love. Unfortunately, this protection can go too far.

This book took a really interesting concept and made it into a very interesting read. I think the author did a good job of playing out what might happen if science really could run such a test. We get to see examples where test results were shown accurate where boys labeled positive were acting out at a young age. An entire industry of treatments and medications come into play as well. The book covers a span of years as the boys are growing up and I think this did well to see how the tests impacted everyone over time.

In opposition to the ‘boys will be boys’ and the violent/non-violent determination is the women in the book. There is no “M gene” identification for women, but they are definitely called into question for how far they will go to protect their boys. The book sometimes started to veer into the territory of more discussion about the concept of the gene and its implications, but it did come back to the central plot well.

While I was able to make guesses about several of the twists in the story, I still enjoyed the ride along the way. This was an interesting concept done well!