I would not consider this book a mystery. Instead, the book has many strong discussions and makes you reflect on how women are treated in the modern world. At the end I found some of the feminism to be a bit preachy and the man bashing / gaslighting was overdone. This book was a quick read and I found the plot to be just ok.

The slow build of something not being right kept me intrigued in the beginning. There were so many moving parts in this book. The POV suddenly switched and the missing girls were only mentioned briefly. Therefore, I was not really invested. The last 30% of the book was choppy with alternating POV and the use of social media.

Thank you NetGalley and Zando Projects for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

One of the Good Guys was not exactly what I was expecting, but I really enjoyed reading it. I went into this expecting a murder mystery, but this book was more of a thriller with lots of commentary on society and rape culture. It's definitely one I will think about for awhile now, and while I think this book will not be for everyone, I do think it would be a great book for a book club as there are many things to unpick. Lots of important issues discussed here.

The story is told from three point of views, starting with Cole and ending with Lennie. We spend a bit of time with Mel in the middle of the story and I really liked that the author framed the story this way. Once Cole's POV wrapped up I was really thrown and while I suspected Lennie was involved in some way, I did not see things unfolding the way they did. I enjoyed the first half of the book more than the first and I think that's because the author did such a great job of writing Cole's character. He was infuriating! And so gross - the author really made my skin crawl with her depiction of him.

As the story unfolded in the second half I did really like the way the story unfolded through various media forms. It helped keep me engaged and I think it really added to the story. It was clever and yet it added to the authenticity as well.

Thank you to Zando, Gillian Flynn Books & NetGalley for a review copy.

Wow, what a mind-blowing novel. I went into One Of The Good Guys with the expectation of a dark, fast-paced psychological thriller. What I got was a thought-provoking exploration of gender violence and society's response to it. Not quite what I was suspecting. Not only did it take a different route, but it surpassed what I believed it could have been. This novel plays out like a current event story, even including snippets of social media commentary to move the story along. Well written and fantastic characters, you may be surprised by how you feel about each one by the end of the book. I enjoyed Aramanita Hall's prior novel, Our Kind Of Cruelty, but I loved One Of The Good Guys. Do I think everyone will love it like I did? Probably not. I can see there will be mixed opinions about it. Which I think would make for a great book club choice? There is a lot to break down and discuss with this one.

I received a complementary digital copy from the publisher through netgalley for my honest review and opinion.

Cole is newly separated from his wife and is living in a ranger house away from London in the country. To hear Cole, he is such a good guy and his wife and any other woman in his life were just awful to him because he was so caring. He meets Lennie, who lives in a little cottage nearby and finds her to be everything his wife wasn't for him. Things take a different turn when two young women who are walking the countryside to bring attention to domestic and sexual abuse and misogyny, disappear after having an argument with Cole the night before. Cole creeped me out. He just thought he was so good, you knew he was not telling the whole truth when he opened his mouth. His needs for having sex a certain way were so weird too.

The story really is a look at how we treat women, tending to not believe what a woman says over a man. Women having to be a certain way while men can do what they like. Though I might not agree on how the women went about confronting Cole, I get what they meant to do. The angry emails an social media posts were so bad and I have seen many like that online when it comes to men talking about women, and even women talking about women. It should anger you.

It is a vey thought-provoking read. I recommend it.

Thanks to Netgalley and Gillian Flynn Books for an advance copy for review.

One of the Good Guys was not at all what I expected, and I mean that in the absolute best way. I think this is a book you'll appreciate more if you go into it completely blind, so I'm not going to summarize the plot and I'd encourage you to be wary of reviews that go into too much plot detail. This book is full of unexpected, scathing surprises.

In her third novel, Araminta Hall combines a propulsive narrative with brilliant social commentary about gender, power imbalances, and the all-too-often skewed perspectives offered by the media, and of course by internet trolls around the world. With a multiple-perspective structure and snippets of mixed media like news articles, opinion pieces, and social media threads, One of the Good Guys feels fresh and modern and important, when I honestly expected it to be just another domestic thriller. It's so impressive.

The characters are interesting, psychologically complex, morally gray, and flawed, and from the very first page there's a sense of wrongness pervading the narrative, a feeling that all is not as it appears. That is definitely the case, and the plot unfolds with tension, shifting alliances, and perfectly-timed reveals.

Hall's focus is zeroed in on how women can be viewed in the modern world -- even now, long after equal rights and shattered glass ceilings and #MeToo, in a society that's supposed to be progressive and equal. Women are too fake or too bitchy, too ungrateful or too needy. They're victims, or they're making something out of nothing. All women want to be mothers, of if they don't, there's something seriously wrong with them. Hall's observations are brave and bold and unflinching.

One of the Good Guys won't be for everyone due to the heavy-handedness of the social commentary, but the way Hall melded it with a compelling, deeply psychological and suspenseful narrative had me turning the pages as quickly as I could. Thank you to Zando Projects/Gillian Flynn Books and NetGalley for the early reading opportunity.

Wowza! I thought I knew where this was going but nope! Mel and Leonora were both such interesting and complex characters. The dual POVs were so well done in this as you get to hear both sides of the story. This definitely will make you rethink how society treats women vs. men and it did reestablish that we have so far still to go. I think this would be a great book club selection - so many topical discussions could be had!

I wasn’t sure what I was getting into with this one. It’s a little bit mystery, a little bit psychological thriller, and a whole lot of feminism. We start off with Cole. He has moved to a cottage on the coast to start a new life after his marriage to Mel comes to an end. He portrays himself as a feminist, as very aware of the struggles women face, and is very against misogyny. We hear his side of the story, how his marriage fell apart. Then we get a second POV, Mel. We get her side of the story. It’s a bit startling to see through Cole’s eyes and then to see the same set of circumstances through Mel’s eyes.

Meanwhile, Cole has met Leonora in this little village. They forge a connection. Then, two female activists raising awareness about gendered violence disappear while passing through town.

This book really had me thinking. I would nod my head at so many points, but then have to stop and think about others. It’s so hard when we grow up being taught one way to really open up and actively hear another way. It was enthralling, and frustrating.

The third POV is Leonora, telling her story. There are also different mixed media formats, that really added all those outside, differing opinions to the story.

This would be such a great selection for a book club. There’s so much to discuss, and so much self searching to be done. I’ll be thinking about this one for quite a while.

Thank you to the author, Gillian Flynn Books and NetGalley, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This chronicle of a relationship gone off the rails is told in various POVs, evoking a "he said, she said" vibe plus input from a few other interfering characters. It takes a while to get there though, as at least the first 30% is told only from the MMC's POV - the presumptive "good guy" who absolutely gave me the creeps within the first 3 pages. Thus, well-drawn character, but hard to read. Once the two FMC's POV entered the fray, it got more interesting on the one hand, but I found the vaunted twists and turns fairly foreseeable. Overall, it was a book that left me thinking many thoughts about the complexity of gender relationships.

After his wife leaves him, Cole takes a job in a remote area. He decides to prove that he is "one of the good guys" by catching and growing his own food. He would like to have children and does not want to give up on IVF with his estranged wife, even though she is done with it. Cole finds his new life to be a bit isolating and befriends an artist who lives in the area. When two women who are camping nearby to shed light on violence against women go missing, will Cole become a suspect? But he sees himself as "good" and couldn't possibly be involved.

This book is being promoted as a mystery/thriller. It does have some mystery elements, but please do not go into this book (as I did) thinking that its action packed. If my expectations had not been so high and if I had understood that it's more of a slow burn, topic book, I think I would have enjoyed it more. There is a lot of talk about violence against women and how both women and men see themselves.

This book is well-written and well-plotted. I liked the changes in perspective along the way and the slow reveling of the characters' backstories. If you like Mouth to Mouth or Lisa Jewell books, this might be for you.

Thank you to Netgalley for the advance copy for review.

I was very intrigued by the title and the description of the book.

This is an intriguing take on gender dynamics in the age of #MeToo and #NotAllMen. This book is also a meta-analysis as it asks so many important questions about men, what is expected of them and what the definition of a good guy is.

This was my first book by Araminta Hall and I loved it. Not only were the women relatable but I felt like I was living through some of the incidents in the book. Fear was a big theme in the book and I felt like she captured the emotion very well, both with the atmosphere and the description.

The book also does a great job of highlighting how different one simple event and life as a whole can be for both genders and I highly recommend it to everyone.

Thanks a lot to Netgalley and Zando for the e-copy. I will definitely be checking more of the author's books.

4.5/5

This book!!! I thought it started a little slow and was worried I maybe wouldn’t like it but about a quarter of the way through it picks up and then you can’t stop. It’s so good. It’s quick paced. The characters all Jive well! Highly recommend this thriller.

I read a lot of thrillers. A lot. And this one absolutely stands out and is one that will stay with me for a long time. I recommend this for a book club pick or a buddy read because you are going to want to talk about it with someone else.

At the start of the book, Cole has recently moved to the country after the end of his marriage. He’s starting over as a ranger and ready to try out a different kind of life - while trying to figure out what went wrong in his relationship. He meets Lennie, an artist staying at a cottage near his and they strike up a friendship. Then one day Lennie comes across an abandoned tent - they know two women had been staying there but where are they now?

I really can’t figure out how to talk about this book without giving spoilers but I recommend picking it up. Check content warnings first if needed because there is a lot. Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the free ebook to review.

Special thanks to Zando , Gillian Flynn Books and NetGalley for the ARC of this book.

Really good book. It had a lot of twists and turns that I couldn't see coming. I liked the way they had 2 narrators. Leonora and Cole. Cole just had a bad divorce and wants some peace, rest and relaxation from the city, so he packs up and moves from London to the coast. He meets a woman Leonara who also had a similar situation like his and lives a short way from his beach house.

I don't want to say anything, but they form a bond with each other and young females come around talking and making people aware of violence against females. Soon these 2 girls disappear and the last half of the book is told from Leonora's POV. Soon, nothing is what it seems, we have to unreliable characters.

What a really good book. I loved and give a high recommendation. 4 stars, if I could I'd rate it 4 1/2 stars that really rounds up to 5..

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced digital copy of this book.

I have to admit, I almost quit reading this book, I just couldn't figure it out. In fact, I did abandon it and read another book. But then, when I went back, at the 36% point, the first posting appeared from The West Gallery. After that, I had trouble putting it down and read the rest in just two days.

Whichever side you take after reading this, you are right. Both sides have valid points, and both sides are completely wrong. But you will think about it for a while!!

Cole and his wife Mel have completely different views of each other and of their marriage. As we usually do, we make ourselves the heroes of our own story, and each of them does that. But the stories are SO DIFFERENT that it is almost impossible to find the truth. But you will try, and you will be shocked and surprised at your own reactions. I know I was. I STILL don't know whose side I am on, but it was a heck of a ride to get to the end. Just stick it out through that first 36% and you will be rewarded.

This is a social commentary with a lot of psychological suspense.

Cole Simmonds, newly separated from his wife, Mel Connelly, leaves London and moves to a seaside cottage on the south coast of England where he takes a job as a wildlife ranger. He meets Lennie Baxter, an artist living nearby, and the two become friends. Then two young women activists raising awareness about violence against women disappear, and both Cole and Lennie find themselves in the midst of a police investigation and a media firestorm. Both have secrets that emerge.

The book is narrated from multiple viewpoints: Cole, Mel, and Lennie. Also included are samples from media such as blog postings, social media threads, op-ed pieces, and interview transcripts. Cole begins the novel. He spends a great deal of time reflecting on the failure of his marriage, concluding Mel’s relentless careerism and her unwillingness to undergo another round of IVF caused the break. He feels wronged and unappreciated because he believes he is one of the good guys since he is always caring and supportive. He even claims to understand the pressures women face.

From the beginning, I suspected Cole to be an unreliable narrator. He constantly repeats his good qualities in a rather prideful fashion and seems to take no responsibility for the marriage breakdown. He blames only Mel. I started to think he is not being entirely truthful. He comes across as rather whiny and that grates after a while. There was something about him that just made me feel icky. When we are given Mel and Lennie’s perspectives, we see a different Cole, someone manipulative and controlling. Which version is closer to the truth?

Of course, as we get to know Mel and Lennie we realize that they are not genuinely good either. They devise a scheme that pushes moral and legal boundaries. Their motivation is understandable but their methods are undoubtedly questionable. But, of course, as Lennie states, “none of us is just one thing. Especially not women, who so often contain the burden of multitudes.” And there’s certainly truth to her observation that “women aren’t meant to be strategic or cunning. Which seems unfair considering that gangsters and cowboys and superheroes are not only allowed vendettas but applauded for them. Men are allowed to act, but women, it seems, should only react.” The lines between right and wrong are blurred so who is the greatest victim and who the most blameworthy?

Character development is wonderful. Each of the characters has backstories which add depth to the narrative. The reader learns their struggles and secrets and motivations. What is not so great is the coincidence that brings two characters together. And the planning involved in their scheme may be ingenious and magnificent, as Lennie claims, but it seems far-fetched to me.

What also bothered me is that the resolution is too drawn-out. A plot almost ceases to exist so that the theme of misogyny can be emphasized. The heavy-handedness at the end weakens the novel in my opinion.

Nonetheless, I highly recommend the book. The women in the novel speak of the importance of conversations around topics like male violence, pornography, and society’s double standards for women, and this book encourages those conversations. It would be a great choice for book clubs. It is entertaining and thought-provoking – an intelligent book that stimulates discussion.

Very interesting book.

Cole and Leonora aka Lennie befriend each other after they both relocate to a remote coast in London. Cole is struggling with why his marriage to Mel failed, he of course sees himself as such a good guy.

Once police get involved after a few women go missing there is a question of how well they really know each other. Very dark and entertaining read in which I thoroughly enjoyed.

I always say, "always be aware of your surroundings."

Thank you NetGalley for the advanced ARC in exchange for my honest review.

If most men claim to be good, why are most women still afraid to walk home alone at night? Cole has moved to a remote village away from the noise of the city and is recovering after his divorce. It is there where he meets Leonora, who is an artist working on her next exhibit. While the two hit it off initially, when two missing female activists raising awareness about gendered violence disappear in the area, things start to take a turn.

I’m absolutely loving novels from Zando/Gillian Flynn. This one was deliciously uncomfortable. The first half of the book is spent being in Cole’s head and while initially he seems “good”, much like Sonora Jha’s The Laughter, I absolutely hated being in his mind. The novel then takes a twist with a different writing style and different POVs where you hear from a lot of women and it’s like a breath of fresh air but is still full of so many gray areas and discomfort. I really loved how layered this one is and I think it’ll make for a great discussion.

Thank you so much to Zando for the ARC of this one!

I found this premise to be a fresh take on a mysterious, domestic thriller with a did he/didn't he approach.

I loved this from the beginning - I was completely consumed and all in. I couldn't take breaks, didn't want to put it down and absolutely recommend this for anyone in a mystery/thriller rut!

What a thriller! Cole moves to become a wildlife ranger and heal from a disintegration of his marriage it is there that meets an artist. From there, the novel takes many twists and turns and the ending is.done so well that you will never see it coming. The story is told in different formats. Loved it.

Real Rating: 2.5 / 5 Stars

I enjoyed this book for the entire first act, and then it just went downhill from there. By the end I was so relieved it was finally over.

I know this is an unlikely and probably unpopular opinion, especially coming from me, considering how much I enjoy just about every book that throws punches at the patriarchy and advocates for feminine rage. The fact is: The first act of this book was impeccably written and had me looking forward to an intense thriller told from the POV of a narcissistic and unreliable narrator, and then the second and third acts were a hot mess when it comes to writing.

When I got to the beginning of the second act and realized we were switching from Cole’s POV to another POV altogether, I was wary, but willing to try. It didn’t take me too long to realize Hall had moved from what I was beginning to consider a fantastic, creepy, charismatic novel about a smarmy incel that might build and build in tension and violence to a disorganized format consisting of flashbacks, social media posts, blog posts, newspaper articles, newscast transcripts, an art installation information pamphlet, press releases, and present-day POV. In my opinion, this switch ruined the novel. There was no more thrill, no more suspense, and no more mystery. It was just chaos, and I no longer really cared.

The aims, messages, and goals of the story were good. I’m sure this book will be a hit with a lot of people and it will resonate with many. I just didn’t jive with it. I wanted a thriller, and this wasn’t one.

I was provided a copy of this title by NetGalley and the author. All thoughts, opinions, views, and ideas expressed herein are mine and mine alone. Thank you.

File Under: Political Thriller/Psychological Thriller/Suspense Thriller/Vigilante Justice