Unfortunately this was not my favorite. There was a lot of the same scenes with the same characters repeating themselves and after awhile, it all started to blend together. I just never became that invested with the plot. I think part of this didn’t translate well to the audio version. The ending did come together with a few surprises. I do believe that other readers will like this, so I’m not trying to discourage anyone from reading it. It just wasn’t for me.

And nowww onto one that was just ok. This author maybe just isn’t for me. I listened to this on audio thanks to @macmillan.audio for seemingly always approving me in exchange for an honest review. So for me, this one didn’t really do much for me. I did like the narrator, and I did like that our protagonist has a job of PR (public relations) where you learn to smooth over the bs of the rich and famous and present their brand or company in the best light regardless of what the truth might be. Ironically, someone’s wife accuses our protagonist of sleeping with her husband- all because they wear the same perfume - and our gal finds herself on her way out of a job. But before she goes, her boss has ONE last client for her and she feels like she CANT protest or refuse her boss who could squash her reputation and make it so she doesn’t work in her field again. She meets with a cagey woman who keeps manically exclaiming how her husband’s accident has inconvenienced her life and made everyone shun her and her son. Frankly from the rip I figured her clients were in a shaky marriage and that the wife was a raging narcissist and I just didn’t like most of the story or the truth. It was a sleazy bunch of people and a weaker plot point in my view so this just wasn’t for me. Did it entertain me in the moment? Yes. Will I remember it at all in a month? Nope. I think I’ll take the hint that this author just isn’t for me. Sometimes if I listen to too many “just ok” thrillers it gets under my skin like as if I wasted my time. I want to be THRILLED or else give me a drama and characters I’ll love. I’m sure many will enjoy this, I personally would rate it a 2.5 or 3 - just eh - so I’m going to be a little more careful with thrillers I request. Thanks so much to the publisher for sharing this with me for review. I wish more positive things to say. If you’ve read this, what did you think? I think the author is a sweetheart and I wish her much success, this just wasn’t for me I guess … 🙄

This was definitely a fast-paced, twisty domestic thriller! While I enjoyed most of this book, I found it hard to follow at times because it is told from multiple perspectives. Overall, it’s worth the read or the listen! Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for an advanced audio of this book.

Despite multiple attempts (3, to be exact) I was not able to get through this audio. This book worked for many people and it seems to have great reviews, but I was bored - probably because I never got into the story.

One Wrong Word
A Novel
by Hank Phillippi Ryan
Narrated by Gail Shalan

Thank you to @Macmillan.Audio for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook.

This is my first Hank Phillippi Ryan book but I’ll be adding more to my TBR list to read.
Only a few years ago did I really start to think about how important PR crisis managers may be for some.
Our main character Arden is a crisis manager who has unfairly lost her position at her job when a client claims her of wrongdoing. Instead of believing Arden her boss is willing to let her go to keep the client but he does need one more job looked into that could save her career.
A high profile client is on trial then found not guilty of murder. Arden must help mend the reputation of the man and his family in the public eye but as she digs deeper into understanding more in order to help this family, Arden realizes she may soon be a target of the real killer. Through Arden’s viewpoint we are taken on a wild ride of twists and turns to find the truth in order to save her clients reputation and possibly her own life. The audiobook is narrated by Gail Shalan with a clear voice for each character and kept me interested and invested in Arden’s story.
Thank you Thank you to @Macmillan.Audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook.

Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for an audio copy in exchange for an honest review.

Arden Ward is a crisis management and public relations specialist who has just been fired after falsely being accused of having an affair with a client. Before her departure, she has been handed one last client. Cordelia Bannister has hired her to revamp her and her husband, Ned's, image after he was very publicly acquitted of murder for hitting a skateboarder in his company's parking garage. When Ned's attorney is also run over by a car he is again the prime suspect. Arden finds herself trying to solve this new case, walk a delicate balance between feuding spouses and do her best not to be protecting a murderer.

I am a huge fan of Hank Phillippi Ryan's other work so I was excited to get this book but was not as engaged as with her other work. I struggled to connect to any of the characters and found Arden's integration into the investigation too outside of her professional scope, she was acting more like a lawyer than a PR rep, which by the way she did nothing of her actual job. I saw most of the twists coming and was underwhelmed by the story. I did enjoy Ryan's writing style.

I had the audio version read by Gail Shalan who was an enjoyable narrator and was able to maintain my attention.

I’m in awe.
There’s so much I want to say but I can’t spoil this absolutely incredible psychological thriller! Hank Philippi Ryan has hit gold with One Wrong Word! It kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time! It’s one of my favorite reads! Hank is so deserving of all her accolades, a #USATodaybestselling & multiple award-winning author!

The audiobook is perfectly read by the impressive Gail Shalan!

Thank you, Hank P Ryan, Macmillan Audio Forge Reads, & netgalley for my audiobook! All opinions are my own.

What a fun psychological suspense this was! Cue the drama! It’s packed with secrets, lies, deception, manipulation and all the paranoia.

We get a game of cat and mouse and there is no shortage of red herrings. As soon as I thought I had something figured out, BAM, another plot twist is delivered!

A solidly clever and chilling read!

Once again Hank Phillippi Ryan brings her A game. Right from the start we see Ned Bannister, a big executive, on trial for drunkenly running over and killing a man. The jury acquits him, but the trial by the public isn't over as Ned's wife, Cordelia, discovers when their friends and neighbors continue to distrust them. Cordelia hires Arden Ward, a PR rep recently let go from the firm that represents Ned and others, to help Ned fix his reputation. But then Cordelia starts getting text messages alluding to a connection between Ned and the man he killed. The seeds of doubt are sown, and as Arden gets pulled deeper into the rabbit hole, she wonders if she' in fact helping a killer.

While I figured out fairly early who was really behind everything, I wasn't 100% certain until near the end, thanks to lots of twists and misdirection. Arden is a likable character forced into a bad situation through no fault of her own, and for the most part her actions are believable, and the assistant district attorney (whose name I couldn't stop hearing as "Mon-El", is fierce and snarky as a worthy adversary. I might deduct half a star because there is one reveal that feels like it was handed to Arden on a silver platter, but Arden makes up for it by tackling the situation head-on. Gail Sharon does a wonderful job narrating the characters and making each one distinctive. Thank you to the author, Forge Reads, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for a fair review.

This is my first book by this author, and after devouring One Wrong Word, it won’t be my last!

I haven’t read about an MC being a crisis manager, so I found the storyline fresh and unique. Our MC Arden is just that … until she faces her own crisis and needs to go into overdrive to save herself.

Arden has been wrongly and unfairly accused of wrongdoing with a powerful client. Her boss makes the decision to believe the client and lets her go … but not before giving her one final client to work with. The socialite client is on trial for murder, and while Arden searches for evidence to protect her client, she realises that not only is there a web of deceit being strung but also if she is protecting a killer.

Full of secrets, lies and betrayals and subterfuge, I found myself rooting for Arden - she’s such a likeable character. Just when I thought I may have figured it out there was another wickedly clever twist. I love the whole rich people behaving badly and this novel has all the salacious, entertaining, cleverly plotted storyline to draw me in hook line and sinker.

The audiobook, narrated by Gail Shalan was fantastic. With clear, distinct voices it was easy to follow.

❤️ Many thanks to @macmillan_audio @forgereads @netgalley for ALC 🎧 and e-arc 💌

This is for the Scandal Lovers! Hank Ryan knocked this out of the park.

Dark and twisty with secrets galore. Buckle in and get ready for an exciting ride.

This book and I did not get along well, at all.

First, this is not a thriller. It’s a stretch to call it suspense. It’s a turtle moving through sludge.

I figured out the “who” quickly, and not because I’m so smart but because it’s so obvious. And we just kept on going steadily (and slowly!) in a predictable stroll toward that reveal.

I didn’t like any of the characters. Arden’s behavior and decisions made zero sense.

The last quarter of the book picks up in pacing, but also spirals into melodrama.

I listened to this on audio. The narrator was fine, but not good enough to keep me engaged. I sped it up to 2X, which I only do when I’m insanely bored, just to get through it.

*Thanks to Macmillan Audio for the free download.*

I received one word as an arc audiobook through NetGalley. I have not been paid for my opinion, and my opinion is honest.

In "One Wrong Word," crisis management expert Arden Ward faces a personal crisis when she is falsely accused of an affair with a powerful client. With her career and reputation on the line, she's given two weeks to salvage her future. Enter Cordelia Bannister, seeking Arden's help for her husband Ned, a real estate mogul whose reputation is tarnished by a fatal drunk driving accident. As Arden dives into the case, she uncovers unsettling truths, leading her to question if she's protecting a killer.

Rating:
1. **Plot and Storytelling:** 3/5 While I found the story well plotted and engaging, I believe it could have been a tad shorter, and unfortunately, I was able to predict the plot twist correctly, which was disappointing.

2. **Characterization:** 5/5 The characters were beautifully crafted, and it was gratifying to witness their development throughout the book.

3. **Writing Style:** 4/5 I thoroughly enjoyed it and eagerly anticipate their next book.

4. **Originality:** 5/5 This book felt refreshingly original, unlike anything I've encountered before.

5. **Emotional Impact and Resolution:** 3/5 While the book didn’t deeply resonate with me emotionally, it did evoke some feelings, and I appreciated the well-wrapped-up ending.

6. **Narrator Emotion and Tone:** 4/5 I'd rate Gail Shalan's narration a 4 out of 5. She effectively conveyed the book's emotions, enhancing the overall experience.

7. **Narrator Character Differentiation:** 3/5 While the characters were distinguishable, I felt there could have been more effort to give each one a unique voice.

8. **Narrator Pacing and Flow:** 5/5 The book maintained a steady pace, and the narration flowed seamlessly.

9. **Audio Quality:** 5/5 The audio quality was exceptional, as expected from Macmillan Audio.

10. **Additional Audiobook Elements:** N/A. I didn’t notice any extra audio effects in this book.

Overall score: 4.11/5

If you enjoyed this book I’d recommend “Little Fires Everywhere” by Celeste Ng.

Thank you, Macmillan Audio for this advance copy in exchange for my review.

Can one wrong word have dire consequences?
I absolutely loved this newest release from
Hank Phillippi Ryan.
The premise was original, unlike anything I’ve read before. It was twisty in the best way and kept me guessing until the very end.
All of the POVs were fantastic but Arden’s storyline and POV was my favourite.

🎧📖 note: Gail Shalan did an excellent job telling this story and bringing the characters to life.

So this was actually quite interesting! I was pretty hooked from the beginning and it's one that constantly kept me guessing. I didn't have it all figured out either which was great! I will say tho that it started to feel a little drawn out and long. But overall, I liked how it felt different and kept you wanting answers but at the same time the twists didn't seem mind blowing. The audio was very well done! I enjoyed that format!

I immensely enjoyed One Wrong Word by Hank Phillip Ryan. PR crisis manager Arden Ward gets tangled in a case of lies and secrets. Arden is a well written character I really liked. While not my typical favorite read I did enjoy listening to One Wrong Word. It did read a bit "done". I would note it average for the genre.

When Arden, a PR crisis manager, is given one last job before being let go from her firm because she was accused of having an affair with one of the clients, she has no idea what she's in for. Cordelia hires her after her husband Ned is found not guilty of vehicular homicide. Cordelia wants Ned's infamous past to go away and not affect her or her children's lives. But as Arden gets more involved, she starts finding things that lead her to believe everything is not what it seems. When Ned's defense lawyer is hit by a car and then utters the name "Ned" after the accident, with no other context, things start getting muddy....

This book kept me guessing the whole time. It was twisty, engaging and kept me on my toes. This is my second of Ryan's books and I have no doubt that it's not my last. I really enjoyed this one and loved that it was told from numerous POVs. I highly recommend adding One Wrong Word to your TBR pile! The audio narration was excellent too - an easy listen!

Hank Philippi Ryan has written a book using a premise in which we all can relate. The premise that one wrong word can impact us in more ways than just our feelings. Words have power! She has used her power of words to create a story that will leave you wanting more. More of Hank Philippi Ryan and more of her character Arden Ward!

The story will have you turning pages as quick as you can to sleuth out the answers right alongside of the main character, Arden Ward, because nothing is ever what it seems.

Arden is a crisis management expert who experiences her own crisis when she is falsely accused. Her boss has given her one opportunity to save herself by handling a client whose reputation has already been destroyed in the court of public opinion. This is one tall order! As Arden works to save her own career and the image of her client and his family disturbing issues crop up. These issues need to be understood for Arden to decide just how far she’ll go to fix her client’s situation and her own.

I bought the book and listened to the audio from #MacmillanAudio. If you are an audiobook fan, Gail Shaman’s voice is perfect. She reads in a calm poised sounding voice that one can imagine a crisis management expert would exude.

Thank you NetGalley & Macmillan Audio for the opportunity to review this book.

One Wrong Word by Hank Phillippi Ryan is a fabulously twisty thriller about a PR crisis management expert who wants to maintain professional integrity but suspects that the case that her career hinges on may have her protecting a murderer.
So many twists and turns, so many lies and secrets, this book kept me reading and listening. I kept guessing and guessing wrong. This was exciting and kept me on my toes, trying to suss out the story. The Boston setting with a quick jaunt up to Vermont made the book even more perfect for me, of course. One Wrong Word is a fast paced, cleverly constructed psychological thriller with characters that are complex and layered even if their actions do not necessarily make them all that likable.
As far as the main character Arden Ward goes I actually liked her a lot and could see her starring in another book. The business of cleaning up other people's PR messes means you get to see their dirt. Or as Arden keeps telling her clients if they want her to protect them there can't be secrets she needs to know it all ...
The audio narration by Gail Shalan matched the story perfectly and added to the atmosphere. Thank you to @macmillan.audio for providing me with an eALC, the views expressed are my own ! A fun fast moving intricate plot - I am always here for it.

Arden award is a crisis manager. But facing her own crisis, through helping one last client, might be more than she can handle.

This is a quick, entertaining popcorn thriller. I enjoyed it.