Ok, so One of the Good Guys was really interesting. The different POV’s created a solid flow. Once Cole’s POV was done and we began to see the other ones, I was really hoping we wouldn’t go back to him because I couldn’t stomach it. Luckily, the author made the decision not to. There were parts that I had a visceral reaction to and had to put the book down. It’s so realistic and disturbing how well the author portrayed the world. I really liked how the unreliable narrator trope is usually used in relation to women but here, it was utilized on the male character. This is definitely worth the read, although towards the end, I felt some of the epistolary parts could be shortened. Thank you to @gillianflynnofficial for letting me read this!

Synopsis:Desperate to escape the ghosts of his failed marriage, Cole upends his life. He leaves London behind for a remote stretch of coast, relishing the respite from the noise, drama, and relentless careerism that curdled his relationship and mental health. Leonora has made the same move for similar reasons. She’s living a short walk from Cole’s seaside cottage, preparing for her latest art exhibition. Though Cole still can’t figure out what went wrong with his marriage, and Leonora is having trouble acclimating to the hostile landscape, the pair forges a connection on the eroding bluff they call home.

Then, two young women activists raising awareness about gendered violence disappear while passing through. Cole and Leonora find themselves in the middle of a police investigation and the resulting media firestorm when the world learns of what happened. And as the tension escalates alongside the search for the missing women, they quickly realize that they don’t know each other that well after all.

#gillianflynnbooks #oneofthegoodguys #bookstagram #bookreview #psychologicalthriller #readersofinstagram

2.5 I really hate that this didn’t work for me because the project and topic at hand are so relevant in our current times. The first probably 1/3 was from Cole’s POV and I found this the most interesting. He was trying to make sure he came across as a good guy and a feminist, but you could tell that something just wasn’t right. This section felt most true to the genre. We then get Mel’s POV where things start to fall into place and we realize what Cole was hiding. The last section is all multimedia and this is where I felt the story really took a dive in terms of enjoyment. It was too on the nose in terms of social justice conversations and left no room for the actual story.

This book was very relevant and thought-provoking and honestly, rather uncomfortable at times. It started out strong and kept me interested and turning the pages. Cole believes himself to be "one of the good guys", but we quickly learn that people are not always who they portray themselves to be or who they thing they are. The plot unfolds and twists are revealed with different POVs and alternating timelines that include interviews, transcripts, and social media posts.

However, the story took a wrong turn where the climax should have been and ended up falling flat, leaving me with little to no satisfaction at its conclusion. The mystery took a backseat to the political commentary on how women are treated, and not a single one of these characters have redeeming qualities about them, so there really wasn't much to root for in this one. Overall, it left me feeling very underwhelmed. :-/

Thanks to Gillian Flynn Books, Zando and NetGalley for this digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

“One of the good guys” by Araminta Hall is a thriller set on the coast of England. It had great potential at the beginning with the story of Lennie, a reclusive artist who encounters Cole, a recently divorced wildlife ranger and their newly forged relationship. The twists and turns veered into the ridiculousness though and I found myself rolling my eyes at the end.

Twisty. I love the cover! The realism hits close - this plot reads as a newspaper article we could easily see in our current social climate. I found myself flying through this one and read it in 2 days. I love books like this!

Well, hell. This was incredible. Thought-provoking and rage-inducing, but I like that it’s very effective at making its point but also putting the reader in the uncomfortable place of deciding if the ends justify the means.

I’d love to see this in a “real world” format like performance art (IYKYK), film, theatre, etc.

So here are my less than articulate thoughts:

- This is going to be divisive but only the ending parts really should be because whether it’s been your experience or not, yes, the world really is violent for women.

- If your experience with the world hasn’t led you to see that, I applaud you for living such a positive life. But calling this man-hating or unrealistic further perpetuates that world the rest of us live in, so please don’t.

- Of course it’s “not all men,” but if you need to remind us, maybe you’re part of the problem?

- I’m not sold on the argument by the activists that violence against women is almost solely at the hands of porn, mainly because I’ve experienced significant trauma and harm by men well before the days of the internet. I don’t disagree that porn, especially easy access to it, adds to the issue in many cases. However, I find that to be an oversimplification.

- Every character in this is kind of awful. But also feels authentic. I love that kind of story. However, I don’t know that it’s as easy as “this person is good” or “that person is bad,” and I feel like the ending leaves you kind of hating everyone and the world as a whole. So be prepared for a cynical ride.

- The structure of this novel is brilliant.

- I wish I could highlight so many lines.

- I think the cover might do the book a disservice. I don’t know that it captures the kind of book this is (I only requested the ARC because of the Gillian Flynn connection - and if you like GF, you’re going to enjoy this.) and I worry it may appear cute. It’s very much not cute.

Anyway, I’m angry and frustrated and also thinking about the ways the actions of certain characters were awesome but also horribly immoral, and really, you can’t get better than a book that brings up this much emotion.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this as an ARC.

This book is a roller coaster. I went into it not really knowing what to expect and that was a good thing. The first quarter of the book was a little slow. Once the narrator shifts, though, the story gets really interesting really fast.

I found One of the Good Ones to be whip smart. I don’t want to say much more so that I don’t spoil anything. This is a book that is best read with little info. It’s not a light read, and parts of it are going to be hard to read. I can’t wait for the book to release so that I can hear what others think about it. Parts of the story are told through emails, interviews, and social media posts, so I think it would be a better read in print format if that matters to you as a reader.

Big thanks to the publisher for granting me an ARC. I think readers who enjoyed Rebecca Makkai’s I Have Some Questions For You will like this one!

I was definitely intrigued by this book very early on. I felt uncomfortable and easy from very early on. The characters were just not fully trustworthy. This kept me interested and reading on - waiting for the juicy parts. We did get the juicy parts, but not in the way I expected. I was waiting for more of that psychological thriller "scare", but I never really felt it. There were important topics discussed (women and how they are treated in society) - but I also disliked most of the women in the book. At times it all felt disjointed and I was left with some questions. However, the ending did tie up all the questionable parts. Overall, an interesting read, but not necessarily a great "thriller" book.

Thank you netgalley for my advanced reader copy.

One of the Good Guys by Araminta Hall

⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks go to NetGalley for the early access to this book.

I was a bit disappointed by this overall but I think a lot of that was because I’d interpreted the blurb differently. I was expecting more of a You-esque book, where the guy was a fully weird creep (especially with his gaps in memory) where it was more about the woman and the general dangers of men. I do think that the story was good and definitely needs telling, but I think I because I was expecting something else, I didn’t really get into it.

I also wasn’t a massive fan of the way some of it was written. I really enjoyed all of the articles being included so you felt a part of the fall out. I didn’t however enjoy the sudden revelation about what was actually taking place. I think it was done as a plot twist but it felt like some information was missing to get there. It felt like one page we were following the story and next the news had dropped so we were watching the media coverage. It felt a bit confusing.

The idea of the book was really good and I bet it’s really good physically with the media sections too, I just think it didn’t meet what I expected of it.

𝖠𝖱𝖢 𝖱𝖾𝗏𝗂𝖾𝗐：𝖮𝗇𝖾 𝖮𝖿 𝖳𝗁𝖾 𝖦𝗈𝗈𝖽 𝖦𝗎𝗒𝗌 𝖻𝗒 𝖠𝗋𝖺𝗆𝗂𝗇𝗍𝖺 𝖧𝖺𝗅𝗅
4☆
________

𝖠𝗎𝗍𝗁𝗈𝗋：𝖠𝗋𝖺𝗆𝗂𝗇𝗍𝖺 𝖧𝖺𝗅𝗅
𝖯𝗎𝖻𝗅𝗂𝗌𝗁𝖾𝗋：𝖹𝖺𝗇𝖽𝗈
𝖨𝗆𝗉𝗋𝗂𝗇𝗍：𝖦𝗂𝗅𝗅𝗂𝖺𝗇 𝖥𝗅𝗒𝗇𝗇 𝖡𝗈𝗈𝗄𝗌
𝖯𝗎𝖻 𝖽𝖺𝗍𝖾: 𝖩𝖺𝗇𝗎𝖺𝗋𝗒 𝟫， 𝟤𝟢𝟤𝟦

I was so excited to get this as an ARC via NetGalley. I saw the premises and knew I’d be reading this one no matter what.
The book starts off with the POV of Cole, a man who “seems” perfectly nice and in search of a partner that will return all his efforts after a failed marriage to Mel.
Next up, Mel’s POV, the story doesn’t seem to be all that Cole is claiming. In fact, it’s a lot different from her view.
The third POV is a wide variety of media and social platforms that cover events that surround Cole, Leonora, Mel and the missing girls who are protesting male violence against women.

Hall covers so many societal issues in one book. And honestly the characters, well they are unlikeable but keep you wanting more. The ending wasn’t at all what I expected but I really enjoyed how it was delivered! I can definitely see this book being a popular read next year.


✵𝖬𝖺𝗇𝗒 𝗍𝗁𝖺𝗇𝗄𝗌 𝖹𝖺𝗇𝖽𝗈，𝖠𝗋𝖺𝗆𝗂𝗇𝗍𝖺 𝖧𝖺𝗅𝗅 ＆ 𝖭𝖾𝗍𝖦𝖺𝗅𝗅𝖾𝗒 𝖿𝗈𝗋 𝗀𝗂𝖿𝗍𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝗆𝖾 𝗍𝗁𝗂𝗌 𝖠𝖽𝗏𝖺𝗇𝖼𝖾𝖽 𝖱𝖾𝖺𝖽𝖾𝗋’𝗌 𝖢𝗈𝗉𝗒 𝗂𝗇 𝖾𝗑𝖼𝗁𝖺𝗇𝗀𝖾 𝖿𝗈𝗋 𝗆𝗒 𝗁𝗈𝗇𝖾𝗌𝗍 𝗋𝖾𝗏𝗂𝖾𝗐．✵

Wow. What a powerful novel. I think it is a visionary piece of work and so spot on.

The first part of the story is all for the perspective of Cole, this recently separated guy who just moved to the countryside to rebuild himself. Starting to read the first couple of pages, he seems like a nice guy who has his heart broken and is trying the recover. Then I read “not that I blame her for that” and that was the first red flag. Se don’t we know these guys, they are literally everywhere. Thinking they are the good guys who understand women, support the “cause” but they are actually the most dangerous. It is so subtle how sexist and controlling they are, most people seem to miss it. Especially women who love a “bad boy”. Most of the bad boys are usually the weakest sexist ones.

Anyway, the story then turns into a art piece which I didn’t see coming and what a bonus. Working in the art, I just want to say: Amarinta, I really want to see this show now!

I really hope this story will help men and women understand the subtlety of power and misogyny so they are able to see it more clearly and call it out because the only way things will ever change is by making people accountable for their actions.

Many thanks to NetGalley for providing me with a digital review copy of this exceptional book in exchange for my honest thoughts.

The story follows Cole and Leonara, each with their own secrets and desires. The author skillfully weaves their narratives together, creating a web of suspense and intrigue. The pacing is well-maintained, with enough twists and turns to keep the reader engaged. The story is mainly told from three perspectives. An ex-wife, an ex-husband and a potential new woman, it might sound a fairly typical setup, but trust me, you won't see where this is going. What I appreciated most about the book was the author's ability to delve deep into the psyche of the characters. Their internal struggles and conflicting emotions were portrayed with authenticity, making them relatable and human. Thank you NetGalley for the Advance Reader Copy in exchange for my honest review.

This book was my first from this author and it was a surprise read.
It was a slow burn and it didn’t captivate me as much as I wanted.
The first half of the book got more my attention, as the second half wasn’t the same.
It was a little predictable, but I was still able to finish the book, hoping for some change, but it didn’t come for me.

Thank you NetGalley and Zando Projects for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Coming 01/09/2024.

This book was a page turner from beginning to end. Two women camping on their own are attacked in the middle of the night. Who could it have been in such a safe town? Everyone wants answers and is searching for the girls. Then weird things start to happen. Who do you trust when you don’t really know anyone. This book has so many twists and turns it had me guessing until the end. Amazing writing. Would highly recommend. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Don't start this book without clearing your schedule first! We're treated to insight onto how someone can convince themselves that they are "one of the good guys' while using women as a means to an end. This novel is for any of us that read advice columns and wonder, "I'd LOVE to hear the spouse's version of this". We get both sides to the story, and then the third: the inevitable storm kicked up on all corners of the internet.

This is a thought provoking examination of an evergreen issue through the lens of our current online culture. It will have fellow readers interrogating their own beliefs and how far we believe people should go for activism.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.

Thank you Zando Books and Netgalley for my copy of ONE OF THE GOOD GUYS by Araminta Hall, out 1/9/24!

I love a book marketed as a feminist thriller and this was no exception. OOTGG follows Cole, newly separated from his wife. He considers himself “one of the good guys.” He leaves London for a fresh start out in the countryside as a wildlife ranger. He meets Leonora, a reclusive artist living in the cottage next door and is instantly charmed by her as he is navigating his mental health from the ghosts of his failed marriage.

As the two form a new connection, two women activists raising awareness about gendered violence go missing on a cliff nearby. Cole and Leonora find themselves in the middle of the police investigation and media firestorm. Do they know each other that well after all? This book works to answer the question, “If most men claim to be so good, why are most women still afraid to walk home alone at night?”

This book was a PAGE TURNER. Full of gendered cultural insights and sociopolitical themes, I couldn’t put this book down. I love the way Hall incorporated different media formats and perspectives to give us the full, messy story. This was so well written and well researched and I didn’t want the story to end. But when it did, I was amazed at how it all wrapped up. The writing is smart, the characters are fully fleshed out and the plot is unique and explosive. This book is both entertaining and deeply reflective and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a thriller that gives that lil something extra.

ONE OF THE GOOD GUYS
Araminta Hall

Are you ONE OF THE GOOD GUYS? If not, I bet you know one.

Cole is ONE OF THE GOOD GUYS. His nails are always trimmed and clean, he’d never order for you in a restaurant (unless asked to of course), he’s thoughtful, listens, and hangs on to your every word. He has recently moved from London to a little cottage along the coast where he is trying to recover from a deeply emotional breakup. There along the coastline, he meets Lenora, and the two form a relationship as alluring as the cliffs that surround them.

At the same time, two young women are doing a charity walk that has them traversing the very same coastline where Cole and Lenora live. What happens when their paths intersect will surprise you and is the plot for Araminta Hall’s, ONE OF THE GOOD GUYS.

Hall livened up my December, put a smile on my face and singlehandedly reinvigorated my love of reading all within around 300 pages. It’s twisty and mind-bending and I couldn’t get enough.

ONE OF THE GOOD GUYS is one of the good ones. It is so cool to see someone living out their passion as Hall does here. The writing is smart, the characters are memorable and distinct, and it has great, spot-on commentary running throughout. There are parallel levels of entertainment in ONE OF THE GOOD GUYS. It’s thrilling for the novice and reads like candy for the experienced.

ONE OF THE GOOD GUYS is one of the best books I’ve read from 2024 and we are just getting started.

Thanks to Netgalley, Zando, and Gillian Flynn Books for the advanced copy! It was a pleasure!


ONE OF THE GOOD GUYS…⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Araminta Hall writes clever, twisty domestic thrillers that have consistently worked for me. Her newest novel, “One of the Good Guys” is told from multiple perspectives. First, there is Cole, whose marriage fell apart after he and his wife failed to conceive. He moved to a seaside town to start over, but his ex is after his to sign papers to allow for the disposal of their embryos. He can’t understand what went wrong as he is considerate, doesn’t drink too much and truly cared about his ex.

He meets Lennie, a woman who lives alone in a cottage nearby and they start to develop a relationship. Then, two women camping nearby go missing. Is Cole really the nice guy he thinks he is?

This was fast pace and I enjoyed the multiple perspectives: Cole, Lennie, Mel (Cole’s ex), Lennie, who each has a unique voice. Some of it was a little out there, but the story was well done and leaves you wondering who is really in the right here. I appreciated the shade of gray in the story and overall ending.

One of the Good Guys - a thriller that was more of a tempest in a teapot. Seen mostly from Cole's POV, we are treated to a diatribe of his unpleasing pleasantness. Weird, right? On the surface, Cole may be many women's dream man, but is he really? He's pompous and completely self-unaware, but is he the dastardly character that some women in his life have painted him?

When two women go missing after a chance meeting with Cole, he is thrust into the spotlight - is he good or evil? When situations aren't what they seem - we have to ask who the real victim(s) are.

Sometimes this book was uncomfortable to read - Cole is self-important and gives gaslighting a new angle, but the story makes you think about current events and is there anyone who is right or wrong?

Continuing my way through some of the upcoming January release book proofs, my next read was “One Of The Good Guys” by Araminta Hall (Pan Macmillan) and is a title that seems to be everywhere at the moment.


Cole is the perfect husband who is romantic, supports his wife, Mel, and her career, is keen to be a hands-on dad and is not a big drinker. He’s just a good guy. So when Mel leaves him, he's devastated and escapes to the coast to start a new life. Here he meets reclusive artist Lennie, who has also recently upped sticks and moved to the remote location. As their relationship develops, two young women go missing whilst on a protest walk against gendered violence, a walk that passes by the remote area Cole and Lennie live. When a police investigation and media frenzy suddenly take hold it becomes clear they might not know each other as well as they thought…

When I said earlier that this book seems to be visible everywhere at the moment, there is a good reason for that, this book is astounding. I devoured this book in 24 hours as I literally didn’t want to put it down, the captivating concept enticing me to read more. The book is divided into three parts, all written from a different character perspective and each is so cleverly written, highlighting just how individual outlooks can convey a varying perception of personality traits, some seeing the obvious red flags whilst others remain oblivious.

There is some hard-hitting content in this book and I won’t lie, it really made me, as a woman in society, question whether advanced equality for both sexes has actually been achieved? In a world where a man doesn’t have to worry about walking home in the dark but yet a woman still does, this book proves that we still have a long way to go.

A captivating, thoughtful, intelligent, unique read which is both disturbing and intriguing all at the same time. Honestly this book deserves the praise it is getting and should be on all TBR lists for 2024.