"One of the Good Guys" may not be my absolute favorite work of the year, but it is undoubtedly the most thought-provoking and visionary piece I've read recently. It stands out as one of the smartest works I've come across lately. It's been quite some time since I read a book that made each character's voice resonate so loudly and clearly in my mind.

One fascinating aspect is that the three main characters are far from pure or flawless; they push the moral boundaries with their questionable actions. Despite this, they managed to get under my skin, allowing me to empathize with each of them by understanding their points of view, the reasoning behind their motives, decisions, and the actions they take. None of them is innocent or entirely right, so I couldn't align myself with any single character, which is one of the book's strongest qualities. It compels you to be objective, not only by presenting multiple perspectives but also by portraying other viewpoints encountered through forums, news coverage, talk shows, and social media posts. All of these elements are realistically integrated, and the intertwining connection of the three characters with a case related to violence against men is portrayed in an unapologetically gritty and realistic manner.

The author fearlessly addresses issues such as misogyny, consent, BDSM, sex shaming, feminism, and violence against women in an authentic voice, without resorting to pages filled with clichés. The narrative reflects the fear that even the strongest and bravest women may carry, especially when they feel they have nothing to lose.

Let's dive into the plot to provide a brief summary:

The story follows Cole, who sees himself as one of the "good guys." Recently separated from his wife after a seven-year marriage marred by misconceptions and misery, he embarks on a fresh start in a remote location. He appears to be a decent guy, unburdened by macho stereotypes, comfortable with expressing his feelings, and unafraid of vulnerability. He assumes responsibility for their home as his wife ambitiously pursues her career, spending long hours at business dinners. However, she commits an act deemed unacceptable on the day of her IVF operation. From Cole's perspective, we sympathize with him and become incensed at his seemingly malicious wife, Melanie. But what is the connection between this innocent man, who wouldn't hurt a fly, and a violent incident?

Thankfully, Cole is not alone in his new surroundings. He befriends Lennie, a reclusive artist living nearby, and their bond deepens rapidly. However, when two young women activists supporting their cause go missing without a trace and Cole becomes the last person to have seen them, things spiral out of control. The incident turns into a media firestorm, and the world's attention converges on the small countryside where Cole resides, with various theories and accusations circulating.

The story also provides insight into Melanie's perspective, shedding more light on recent events and offering clues about their dysfunctional relationship.

Which one of them is telling the truth? What happened to those innocent girls? Could Cole be a wolf in sheep's clothing?

Overall, I initially intended to give this book four stars, but its unique format and its bold and realistic exploration of sensitive subjects that many authors hesitate to address convinced me to round up to 4.5 stars, ultimately earning a full 5-star rating. I wholeheartedly recommend reading this book and carefully contemplating the incidents it portrays, as it encourages you to consider the bigger picture.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Zando, Gillian Flynn Books for providing me with a digital review copy of this exceptional book in exchange for my honest thoughts.

While beautifully atmospheric, I failed to connect with this one, even though I tried. I’m not sure what it was, because I am a fan of the author, and the topic is something of interest to me. But something about this book just felt slippery, I couldn’t quite get a grip on it.

Thank you to Netgalley and Zando for allowing me to read an ARC of this book.
Zando, I gather is a mark of Gillian Flynn books. And it is easy to see why this book is published under her publishing name. It has similar quirky twists of story as Gone Girl.

I found the narrator's voice, right from the beginning to be awful, saccharinely, and unbelievable. I knew a woman had written the book so I assumed that it was because a woman was trying to imitate a man and doing a terrible job of it. Turns out the narrator is unbelievable but we aren't supposed to know that until later in the book. I applaud the author for taking on a subject that needs to be talked about as much as possible but this story was too in your face, too obvious from the beginning. I believe I'm in the minority. Many who have left feedback loved it and were completely taken by surprise. Many complained about the latter third of the book being news reports, social media, etc for continuing the story. I thought that worked very well. Probably the best-written part of the book in my opinion.

So, if you want a thriller story that isn't written particularly well but takes on an issue that is very important to women these days, you may enjoy this book.

This is a book about the complex relationship between genders, focusing especially how men treat women. It’s a huge theme to get into, so it’s not easy to navigate in the polarized water of he said she said. This book had some really great qualities. It being a thriller, I found the first half especially interesting. It’s from Cole’s perspective and succinctly presents his mindset. It was eye-opening to see how some people reason and explain away their own behavior. It was expertly done and I even felt sympathy for him based on how he saw the world. I also felt a bit itchy, but I loved that it conjured these confusing and divided emotions in me.

I also loved Mel’s point of view, even if it just was short snippets of her life together with cole each year, it was a clear way to show how their relationship progressed and the mechanism in the relationship. I wasn’t surprised by what Mel learned in the end, and I felt eager when her POV ended with an explanation for what would come later.

When the two activist women disappeared from where Cole and the mysterious lennie lived, I had already figured out what had happened to them, and I found this last part to be the slowest and somewhat unappealing. There were lots of social media posts and news articles, which halted the suspense. Although it underlined the polarized and scary discussions, I didn’t need quite so many excerpts to get it. The end brought the different viewpoints together, and I liked how it was done. It made the confusion I felt over questions raised settle a bit, and I felt there was a solution there somewhere.

Read this book if you’re curious about how good guys think, and if you want to deep dive into a scary world of hate and prejudices. Trigger warning: IVF treatments are described in length, so be kind to yourself if this is a trigger for you.

Many thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the arc!

Well written with an interesting and unique premise. A little preachy at times but still enjoyable. Actually a 3.5

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/122955959

ONE OF THE GOOD GUYS was a very fast read and if I could describe it in one word it would be DIFFERENT! I would describe the whole book as UNRELIABLE which was the BEST part! This book really delved into the relationships between men and women and if you let it, it makes you question exactly what makes someone a victim. This isn’t so much a mystery as it’s a deep exploration of how women are viewed and treated. It was very thought provoking.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for this ARC!

Cole Simmonds has recently separated from his wife Mel and moved to the English countryside. Shortly after his move Cole meets another newcomer and his neighbor, Lennie. Lennie has taken up residence in a cottage on the cliff hoping to work on her next art exhibit in solitude.

Cole and Lennie become fast friends as he tries to forget about his failed marriage. During this time two young activists, Phoebe and Molly, are on a walk to bring awareness to violence against women. While in the area the young women disappear without a trace leaving Lennie and Cole at the center of the investigation. What follows is an examination of violence against women, consent, safety and commentary on what it's like to exist in the world as a woman.

The first part of the story is told from Cole's POV. I could tell right away he was an unreliable narrator. Cole is devastated by the dissolution of his marriage and seems to have no idea why it fell apart. He was helpful, compassionate and caring. He cooked and cleaned all so Mel could focus on her business. All he asked in return was for her to have his child.... no biggie, right? After two failed rounds of IVF, Cole of course thinks they should try again. If only he could get Mel to give up her stressful job and move out of London. He knows it's the stress of the job and the city that is the main reason they are having trouble conceiving. More often than not I felt myself rolling my eyes as Cole droned on and on about what a good guy he was and how Mel never fully appreciated him or his efforts.

Not until part two when we start hearing things from Mel's point of view does the reader start to fully understand what type of person Cole really might be.

The description of this novel lists it as an "urgent psychological thriller about gender, power and how both are captured in contemporary media." So this is a bit of a stretch. I can see where the author was going, but to be honest I found it anything, but urgent or thrilling. The most enjoyable parts were those told from Mel's point of view as well as the social media elements included in part three.

First, we meet Cole and his narrative. Second, we meet Mel and her story. Finally, we meet Lenny who ties everything together. This book is on point with the culture of women and how they are exploited, abused and how men want to make decisions about their bodies and minds. Intense and fearful.
Thanks to Netgalley for the advanced reading copy in return for an honest review.

Review of eBook

Cole Simmonds, recently divorced [and not particularly happy about it] relocates from London to the south coast of England where he accepts a position as a wildlife ranger and settles into a small cottage. He meets Leonora Baxter, an artist, living in a nearby cottage, and finds himself charmed.

When two young women, walking to raise awareness about gender violence, vanish while walking along the cliff’s edge, both Cole and Lennie find themselves in the middle of a police investigation.

What happened to Phoebe Canton and Molly Patterson? And could Cole have been involved?

=========

Characters here are well-defined; there’s a defined sense of place. Sadly, none of the characters are likable; the unfolding story is likely to cause readers to think even less of several of them. Throughout the narrative, the annoyingly whiney Cole tells the reader that he is “one of the good guys,” but his actions belie that fact. However, Cole is not the perpetrator here as his participation in a devious scheme comes about only because of trickery.

Several points of view are used throughout the telling of this tale: Cole, Lennie, and Mel each play a strong role in the narrative. The final section is composed of social media posts and is somewhat difficult to follow, especially for readers who may not spend significant amounts of time on various social media sites.

Although it would seem that the narrative hopes to raise awareness regarding violence against women, readers are likely to come away with far different thoughts, thanks to an unexpected situation created by several of the women. The narrative is a bit heavy-handed, causing the message to lose much of its effect.

Readers who appreciate tales filled with social commentary and culture may find the tale interesting.

I received a free copy of this book from Zando, Gillian Flynn Books and NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
#OneoftheGoodGuys #NetGalley

I wasn’t planning to read this book next, but I ended up starting it and and could not put it down. The story starts with Cole, recently separated from his wife and relocated to the coast, and follows what happens when two women’s rights activists go missing near his house. Because I’ve read a thriller or two before, I felt pretty confident I knew where this was going, but honestly don’t think I could have ever predicted what ultimately unfolds.

This is honestly such a strange book, that I’m not 100% sure how feel about it yet. The author does make some truly interesting choices in the narrative structure and character POVs but relied a bit too heavily on the inclusion of news stories and social media posts that didn’t add much to the story. When the plot fully unravels about halfway through, I still had to see how it all ended even if the ending left me kind of confused and cold (which could be the author’s intention?).

Overall, a quick and interesting read. Many thanks to Zando and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

While there were points where this was heavy handed when it should have delicate and subtle when it should have been blistering, overall this is compulsively readable account of a deeply nuanced subject, and well done.

3.75 stars
A definite binge read. Twists that I did not see coming at all.
What I liked overall was the coming together of all the characters in the end. Well rounded ending. All my questions were answered.

I believe in feminism and it is strong in this story! Definitely see this as a Law and Order SVU episode.

Thank you NetGalley and Zando for the gifted early copy. All opinions are mine.

I spent the first half of the book feeling very uncomfortable, but not sure if that’s how I was supposed to feel or if I was missing something! And then the wild turn halfway through the book really shocked me! I was not expecting the second half of the book at all! Very good, and thought-provoking!

I received an advanced copy through Netgalley, but all opinions are my own.

Thank you Net Galley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.
This was a new author for me and a different type of book I would normally read. I felt like there was too much of the book about the couple using IVF. It got to the point that it became annoying to me. I did finally start skimming some of that part. The main character Cole was creepy. I will say that there were some good points made regarding women even though this book was fiction.

One of the Good Guys successfully combines a page-turning thriller with a biting commentary on gendered relations--something that is not easy to do! Cole has recently separated from his wife and moved to the south coast of England for a fresh start, where he meets Lennie, who's also recently moved in. While Cole repeatedly tells us that he's "one of the good guys" who treats women with respect, we soon start to question whether this is indeed the case. When two young women disappear following an argument with Cole, he's arrested for their murders. He strenuously asserts his innocence, but as more information comes out about his relationship with his estranged wife, we really begin to wonder what type of a man Cole is.

At times, the commentary about gender was a little heavy-handed, but overall, the author did a good job of making this more than a garden-variety thriller.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book is like reading two different stories, in some way. More so because of how the story is told. It takes a different voice and a different narrative style halfway through.

Both halves were pretty good. It clears up some stuff you’re probably feeling during the first half. I was unsettled bc I couldn’t decide what the author wanted me to think and feel about the main character. I knew how I felt about him but I couldn’t tell if that’s what she was going for or not.

The twist I was expecting wasn’t the one I was expecting. I was thinking it was a different kind of misdirect. (I’m being deliberately vague so as to not spoil anything). I was sort of relieved for where the story ended up going after all.

Also relieved by the point the author ultimately seemed to be making. At least my interpretation of it, anyway.

There’s lots of different voices through the second half. And how they echo real life is a little depressing.

Tough one. I loved a previous book by this author, who specializes in twisted characters but didn't love this one. Cole was extremely annoying but I did like getting Mel's point of view. Since I read an ARC, the formatting for the social media conversations was a bit of a struggle to get through, but certainly seemed believable. The points of view were too over the top that I felt it lost the point it was trying to make.

I have very mixed feelings about this book. I very much enjoyed the beautiful setting and the moral behind the story. However, I wasn't too keen on the characters. 3 stars 🌟 🌟 🌟

I picked up this book because I recognized the author from reading a previous work Our Kind of Cruelty which was a creepy book about obsession that was well written and I enjoyed it.
This one I have mixed emotions about.

Description:
Newly separated from his wife and desperate to escape the ghosts of his failed marriage, Cole leaves London for a fresh start in the countryside. He accepts a job as a wildlife ranger and settles into his cozy seaside cottage, relishing the respite from the noise, drama, and relentless careerism that curdled his relationship along with his mental health. Then he meets Leonora, the reclusive artist living next door, and is instantly charmed by her warm and gentle spirit.

But as the two forge a connection on the cliff’s edge they call home, 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 resulting media firestorm as the world learns of what happened, and as the tension escalates, they quickly realize that they don’t know each other that well after all.

My Thoughts:
Lots of plot twists in this story that focuses on violence against women. It was presented in a very "in your face" kind of way that kind of beats you over the head with it. It was an uncomfortable read to say the least. I didn't like any of the characters, male or female. I did feel empathy for Melanie, and Lennie and Cole - they were all wronged as well as all being wrong to a degree. The way Lennie and Melanie manipulated the events was wrong. The way Cole went about satisfying his fantasies was wrong. Women should not live in fear of what men will do to them - on that I think everyone can agree. Also, all men shouldn't be stereotyped by men who wrongly abuse women - and yes, there are degrees of abuse. This is a heated topic for discussion and more people are aware now because of the Me Too movement. Bravo to Araminta Hall for presenting some of the issues in this story - no matter how extreme.

Thanks to Zando, Gillian Flynn Books through Netgalley for an advance copy. This book will be published on January 9, 2024.

One of the Good Guys is a mess of a novel. It purports too highlight the very real problem of male violence against women, yet uses 4 very unlikable and devious women to make the point. Cole, the main male in the novel, is deceived and tricked into their scheme. His main crime is that he likes consensual BDSM. Hard to figure what the author is trying to accomplish with this novel, She does give varying viewpoints, but it's hard to defend the four women.
Thanks NetGalley for the ARC.