this was an entertaining and engaging book!

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for this book to review.

In this twisty psychological thriller, the story unfolds over a single night at a beach house on the Oregon coast, where layers of deception and betrayal unravel with each page. The novel excels in its intricate web of perspectives and time shifts, primarily focusing on the three sisters, their mother, and the stepmother. Each viewpoint enriches the narrative, shedding light on past events and deepening the mystery surrounding Meghan’s murder years earlier.

Meghan, a tormented figure whose dark behavior complicates the family dynamic, is central to the story's tension. Her murder—attributed to her boyfriend, Cal—drives a wedge through the family, exacerbating existing strains and leading to a dramatic unraveling of relationships. The emotional intensity peaks with Maureen, the grieving mother, whose manic desire for vengeance against Cal adds a chilling layer to the narrative.

The characters are vividly drawn, with Alice and Samantha, the younger sisters, each harboring their own secrets and flaws. Alice's reserved nature conceals a deeper truth that only becomes clear in the novel's final revelations. Samantha, while presenting herself as a peacemaker, hides a web of deceit that complicates the story further. Supporting characters like Rebecca, the stepmother, Paul, the father, and Geoff, the “uncle,” each contribute their own secrets and complexities, enhancing the novel's rich tapestry.

The storm-ridden setting mirrors the turmoil within the house, heightening the sense of dread and suspense. While some plot twists might be anticipated, others come as genuine surprises, maintaining intrigue throughout. This psychological thriller deftly balances suspense with character development, delivering a compelling and unpredictable story.

This was so creepy! I loved it. A family is invited to spend the night at a secluded house and promised answers about their murdered loved one. Of course a storm hits! I love a good locked room thriller with a closed circle of suspects, and this one was exceptional and kept me guessing!

This was quite the interesting premise. Tense and twisty, I just could not put it down! What happens when a family confronts their daughter's alleged killer, do you exact your own revenge or show sympathy?
One Night was extremely thought provoking. This would make a terrific book group discussion. The writing flowed beautifully and I was tense the whole way through! 5+++++++ all the way!!

I am thankful for the ARC for this thriller! I enjoyed it! It started off strong, but did fizzle some once so many secrets were revealed. It was a quick read and would be a good summer thriller if you haven't checked it out yet!

Reading Between the Wines book review #37/130 for 2024:
Rating: 4 ½ 🍷 🍷 🍷
Book: One Night
Author: Georgia Cross
Available now!

Sipping thoughts: I love stories with flashbacks and one setting storylines. This one had a little bit of both. 3 sisters who have the normal close, wanting to be better than the other, wanting the best for each other’s relationship is what led this plot. After the murder of one of the sisters, all the lies and secrets start to be revealed. The “murderer”, her ex-boyfriend Cal, is not the only suspect. After everyone arrives at the house, you must determine if there is a different murderer. Could it be one of the sisters, the parents, the Stepmom, the uncle, Cal’s parents, Cal, or even someone that was not on the forefront of the initial horrendous night?

Cheers and thank you to @RandomHousePublishingGroup and @Netgalley for an advanced copy of @OneNight.

#OneNight #GeorginaCross #RandomHousePublishingGroup #advancedreadercopy #ARC #Kindle #Booksofinstagram #readersofinstagram #bookstagram #nicoles_bookcellar #bookworm #bookdragon #booknerd #booklover #bookstagrammer #bookaholic #bookreview #bookreviewer #IHaveNoShelfControl #ReadingBetweenTheWines #fiction #thriller #suspense #mystery #MysteryAndThrillers #GeneralFictionAdult

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.
Amazing book by one of my favorite authors. Well written as always. It kept me interested and had me hooked from the start. This author always know's how to hook me in.

3.75⭐
Genre ~ psychological thriler
Setting ~ Oregon
Publication date ~ August 1, 2023
Page Count ~ 306 (p+ 43 chapters)
Audio length ~ 8 hours 28 minutes
Narrators ~ Brittany Pressley, Kirby Heyborne
POV ~ multiple 3rd
Featuring ~ present and past timeline, murder, locked room

Maureen & Paul's 17 year old daughter, Meghan, was murdered 10 years ago. Now a mysterious someone has invited everyone that was close to Meghan to a dinner party because they have something to say about what really happened the night she died.

The attendees are:
Sam & Alice ~ Meghan's younger sisters.
Rebecca ~ Paul's new wife.
Cal ~ Meghan's boyfriend who went to prison for the murder.
Uncle Jeff doesn't have any chapters told by him, but he's Paul's best friend who has always been a big part of the family, so he's invited, too.

Overall, it's quite predictable, but I was still kept engaged with the full on locked room feel. There's a raging storm with no electric or cell service to help build up the suspense. There was a nice last little zinger that bumped up my rating.

I disliked every character in this book. And sometimes that makes the best books. What a twisty, strange dynamic family thriller. It was very interesting not feeling much sadness for the deceased character due to how mean she was depicted. This was a solid 4 stars for me!

Sadly I did not finish this story as I had a difficult time staying interested. I would be willing to try again but wasn’t for me at this time.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advance copy of One Night by Georgina Cross in exchange for my honest review and opinion. This is one of heckuva psychological thriller that will have you looking over your shoulder for days making sure you are safe! So many twists and turns that will keep you guessing all the way to the amazing ending. Such a great book and can't wait to read more by this author in the future.

On a dark and stormy night, ten years after the murder of Meg, a high school girl, her family members and close friends have gathered at a house on the Pacific Ocean, lured by a cryptic invitation that included the promise that all will be revealed about what really happened the night she died. Her ex-boyfriend was convicted in her death, but not all her family members were convinced of his guilt.
Georgina Cross does a nice job of setting the stage, introducing the family members as they gather together in what would be an idyllic setting if not for the circumstances. But the young man convicted of the murder has been released, and shows up at the house badly injured. And as secrets of family & friends are revealed, they're battered by the truths revealed just as the house is being battered by a fierce storm. Cross threw enough red herrings to keep me guessing and second-guessing as to what actually happened to Meg, and why. It was interesting and atmospheric and held my interest throughout. It was my first read from her, but she's now added to my list of authors to investigate further.
Thanks to Netgalley and Random House/Bantam for providing a copy for an unbiased review.

#OneNight #NetGalley
The anonymous letters arrive in the mail, one by one: To find out what really happened to Meg, meet at this location. Don’t tell anyone you’re coming. In one night, you’ll find out everything you need to know.
Ten years after her murder, the letters tell Meghan’s family exactly when and where to meet: a cliffside home on the Oregon coast. But on the night they’re promised answers, the convicted killer—her high school boyfriend, Cal, who spent only ten years in prison for murder—is found unconscious in his car after it slammed into a tree near the house where the family is sitting and waiting. Is he really the one who invited them to gather? As a storm rampages along the Pacific Northwest, the power cuts off and leaves the family with no chance of returning to the main road and finding help. So they drag Cal back to the house for the remainder of the night. How easy it would be to let him die and claim it was an accident. Or do they help him instead? As the hours tick by, it becomes an excruciating choice. Half of the family wants to kill him. The other half wants him to regain consciousness so he can tell them what he knows. But if Cal wakes up, he might reveal that someone in the family knows more than they’re letting on. And if that’s the case, who is the real killer? And are they already in the house?
Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine for giving me an advance copy.

Georgina Cross is officially a "drop whatever I'm reading for her new release" kind of author!! I don't even need to read her synopsis' anymore because I just know it's going to be amazing. 5 STARS!

This was not for me. The story was kinda slow and I couldn't connect with the characters at all. I was hoping for something different

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. A murder mystery with a kick, where the convicted-murderer is either innocent and framed or playing an elaborate trick. A page-turner to the end.

A storm comes in essentially stranding the family before they know what is going on. A long night of fear and surprises leads to the much anticipated answers, but maybe they weren’t the answers they hoped.

Georgina Cross did a great job creating that spooky uncertain atmosphere while keeping you guessing. I kind of guessed some of the twists but definitely not all of them. I did find a few of the characters hard to sympathize with but for the most part enjoyed the storyline.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine for the eARC! This started off strong, so atmospheric! I was loving it and so excited for things to get into gear. The set up was intriguing, but as an avid thriller reader I found it to be fairly predictable. Someone who hasn’t read many thrillers or is just starting to will adore this!

"One Night" was all I needed to devour this thriller from Georgina Cross. Ten years ago, the beautiful and vivacious Meghan was killed in the prime of her life. Her teen boyfriend, Cal, despite proclaiming his innocence, was convicted of her killing and sent to prison. Flash forward to the present day, when Meghan's entire family receives mysterious invitations to meet at a remote Oregon home for the weekend. Coincidentally, Cal has recently been released from prison. Is he responsible for organizing this twisted family reunion, and will he finally admit to his part in Meghan's murder?

As the family gathers for the weekend, a violent storm begins brewing in the Pacific Northwest. The power cuts out, and then Cal's unconscious body is discovered in a vehicle near the house. Was Cal the instrument of this horrific weekend.....or was he invited as well?

As the storm rages on and Cal remains unconscious, paranoia and suspicions arise. Everyone seems to have something to hide, and everyone becomes a suspect in this family drama. Will Cal regain consciousness and be able to shed some light on what really happened a decade ago....or will the REAL killer finish him off before he has a chance?

Although I found this story a little predictable, I will always be a sucker for a killer wandering around a dark house during a violent storm. Cross is a consistently strong author for me, and "One Night" was no different. Definitely check this one out if you are looking for a quick, easy, and fun read!

This is a book that makes you think about life and consequences to ones actions. It is a though provoking book that will have you thinking about the story long after you finish it. The character develop is done well. You feel for every character and what they are thinking and how they are reacting.