Rating: 2/5 Stars
•
Swipe for synopsis.
•
Unfortunately, this one did not work for me. First, I wasn’t a huge fan of any of the characters. Arden seemed extra whiny – constantly complaining about her loss of a job, yet continues to work for the man who fired her? Cordelia and Ned were just the most manipulative people that I instantly hated them and honestly couldn’t have cared less if the community hated them. Ardens boss was also manipulative, and he just sucked big time. I think that the kid Pip was the best character in the book. Second, this book was way too long. There was so much repetition that this really felt like a chore to pick up. Third, that ending was just super underwhelming to me. Sure, the twists were pretty well placed, and I definitely did not see all of them coming, but once I finished, I just sat there like “this is it?”
•
The writing was great, don’t get me wrong, I just got super bored with the whole “cat and mouse” game that felt like it went on for an eternity. I am entirely in the minority here with this review as I have seen some really awesome reviews on this one. I am starting to think that this author just may not be for me.
•
I listened to this one via audiobook and Gail Shalan was amazing! Her narration was so entertaining, I can honestly say it is the reason I ended up finishing this book.
•
One Wrong Word comes out on 2/6. Be sure to check it out!! Huge thank you to NetGalley, Hank Phillippi Ryan and Macmillan Audio in exchange for my honest review.

This domestic thriller was a quick and fun read. I listened to the audiobook and I thought the narrator did a good job bringing the story to life. I liked the characters and I thought the story was good with some fun twists (even if I did see the twists coming). Arden is a public relations person who specializes in helping re-invent her clients. She is caught off guard when her boss tells her he has to let her go because a rich client’s wife has accused her of sleeping with his husband, but he gives her one last job and no choice but to take it. Cordelia has hired Arden to help rehabilitate her husband Ned after he is acquitted after accidentally killing a man in a parking garage but the jury verdict doesn’t change the public outrage. The more Arden investigates the more questions she is left with and she can’t help but wonder what is true and what is rooted in lies.

One Wrong Word by Hank Philippi Ryan
Mystery, psychological thriller.
One Wrong Word can ruin your life. Crisis management expert Arden Ward knows that fact a little too well right now. She’s been fired from her job after being unfairly accused of having an affair with a powerful client. Arden agrees to take on an investigation case of Cordelia and Ned Bannister. He’s on trial for murder. Cordelia wants her family protected and the case investigated. Th more Arden searches and analyzes evidence, the more tangles. She has to question if she is also protecting a killer.

Twists and turns, sabotage or lies? The more she untangles, the deeper the threat.

🎧 I listened to an audiobook version of this story, narrated by Gail Shalan. The performance is well done with the mounting tension clearly being heard and felt. There are distinct voices for the three main voices as well as several secondary characters and all are clear and easily followed. The only one not quite believable was the young boy, but it’s a short part. The timing was average to most audiobooks and I ended up listening at 1.5 which is my preferred. This story has only one POV, which makes the audiobook easier to follow. The twists, turns and reveals of the mystery had me backing up a bit twice while listening to clarify a point.

Drama and suspense and twists kept me reading to figure out what really happened.
Overall a wonderful suspenseful read.

I received a copy of this from NetGalley and Macmillan Audio.

If there is one thing you can rely on Hank Phillip Ryan for, it is that she will always keep you guessing. One Wrong Word is no different. When Arden Ward finds herself being let go from her job in PR crisis management due to a false accusation from a wealthy client, she has one last chance to save her own reputation. Her one last assignment is to fix the reputation of a Boston real estate mogul, resently acquitted of murder after a fatal car accident, but once she gets to know the client and the family, she wonders what kind of a person she is really working for.

I listed to this audiobook, so graciously given to me by Macmillan Audio and NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. Any audiobook listener knows a narrator can make or break your experience and Gail Shalan does not disappoint!

At times I did find the book to be a tad long winded, but overall a good read, and I will continue to pick up more and more of Hank Phillippi Ryan's work.


https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5855221700

Wow. This was good.

One Wrong Word was a nice suspenseful slow burn. I went into this book not knowing the premise or any synopsis, I often believe that sets things up for a better story, and if you don't know anything about this book yet- jump in with both feet!

I really enjoyed the premise of this book. It was interesting with the PR angle, as well as not really knowing who to trust and who is lying. I enjoy books that are different, but don't try too hard to be different. And I felt like that is what this was, smart without showcasing its cleverness and style.

I haven't read any of Hank Phillippi Ryan's other books, but I think after this one, I may have to give them a go. Hopefully they are as good as this one turned out to be.

A huge thank you to #Netgalley and #MacmillanAudio for an advanced copy of this audiobook. I'm not sure I would have given it a listen otherwise. Thank you! I will be recommending this one!

I enjoyed this interesting take on a murder mystery. While I wouldn't necessarily call this one a "psychological thriller" it did offer some interesting twists at the end! Unfortunately, the story as a whole is a little too long and drawn out, making it a bit of a drag for readers. At once point, I kind of wondered who I was supposed to be rooting for or invested in. It definitely redeemed itself closer to the end when the pace picked up and there were more interesting revelations. It was a good read for someone who enjoys a slow burn and a lot of backstory.

Many thanks to Macmillan Audio, author Hank Philippi Ryan, and Netgalley for providing me the ALC in exchange for my honest review. This audiobook will be released on February 6, 2024.

3 STARS

Brief Summary: Arden Ward is trying to save her career in crisis management after being unfairly let go by her employer. She’s hired to help Ned Bannister, whose reputation is in shambles after being accused of a drunk driving homicide. Arden wonders who is lying and what really happened that night. More foul play occurs, and Arden has even more questions.

The general story set-up has been done many times. Here we get the interesting twist that Arden turns up after the ‘not guilty’ verdict to help Ned Bannister in the court of public opinion. That choice seemed promising, but I don’t think the author did much with it. I wanted to see Arden Ward take charge in the situation and drive the plot rather than just have conversations around town. The narrative often follows Arden’s internal thought process mulling over what she knows and pondering connections. It didn't work for me that Arden as a crisis manager--not a licensed PI--was allowed to insert herself into the investigation and access sensitive info.

For the last third of the book, the plot does finally pick up. I found some of the reveals interesting but the execution lackluster and monotonous. There’s no riveting climax or edge-of-your-seat suspense to be had. The sense of danger is missing.

NARRATION: Gail Shalan delivers a solid performance. 4/5

This was my first Hank Phillipi Ryan book.
This book is about crisis manager Arden Ward getting entangled in drama surrounding Cordelia and Ned Bannister.
Even though I enjoyed this book, I found the pace to be very slow. I think the book was a little too long.
Even though the middle dragged for me, I still enjoyed the ending.

I really enjoyed the narrator. I’ve listened to this narrator read many other audiobooks and she always does a great job!

This book was ok. I didn’t really feel there was much going on… kind of a slow burn for me. There were a couple twists in the book, but a lot was predictable. I listened to the audio book. The narration was decent except for when she did the kid voice. It was an interesting story line, but I felt it was a little repetitive.

Okay, so I thought this had a strong start, and I was invested. It is a cool idea for a story and it's well written. But then things started turning a little sideways. For one, no one seemed particularly good at their job. I wanted some Olivia Pope type fixer situation. But Arden didn't really do anything? Also parts of this became very circular. Like I could not hear her suspicions about the pizza lie again. I also don't really understand anyone's motivations here and why they acted the way they did from one scene to the next.

I think if you go into this with plot hole blinders on and a massive suspension of belief, you can enjoy it.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher!

One wrong word was a well written thriller. It kept me very interested in the storyline although it is slow moving I still enjoyed it. It really brings home his even the smallest bit of phrasing can change the dynamics of a relationship forever. Makes you really think about being sure you mean what you say. As far as plot points like I said it’s very interesting and well done. I did not guess the outcome but it does have a lot of fluff built in as far as information that’s unneeded for the overall story. However, it really doesn’t take away from the book and if you like a good thriller I highly recommend it.

Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced audiobook of One Wrong Word by Hank Phillippi Ryan. It was narrated by Gail Shalan and she did an excellent job of narration. As the title says One Wrong Word can change your life! It caught me from the beginning and kept my attention, almost to the point of staying up all night to finish. It was such a great twisty, turny psychological thriller with a surprise ending. I really like this author and will look up more books by her. Thanks to Macmillan Audio production from Tor Forge for the chance to listen to this book.
#NetGalley #OneWrongWord

Arden Ward, wrongly accused of an affair, stirred my anger on her behalf. While she struggles on what to do next, she accepts a new case. As a crisis management expert, she navigates a murder case aftermath.

The plot deepens when she aids a family with a damaged reputation, full of unreliable characters. It kept me guessing! Gail Shalan's storytelling breathes life into the intricate plot, exploring the power of words and the pursuit of truth.

Perfect for fans of psychological twist and legal and family drama.

This book took me a bit to get into at first about once I was sucked in it was an incredible journey. You don’t know who to trust in the Banister family and sometimes you just want to scream at Arden for the situations and lies she gets herself into. The author perfectly left a trail of clues along the way as well once you figure out what you are hearing is the truth or what is a lie. This book was amazing, and highly recommend.

If you like suspense, you will love this read , fast paced , has you guessing each chapter , surprise at the end , loved it on audio , the narrator was amazing with the characters .

Buckle up for a wild ride. ONE WRONG WORD will have you on the edge of seat as Arden tries to save her career and figure out if Ned is really innocent or not. I've enjoyed Hank Phillippi Ryan's books for many years now and her books just get better and better. I really enjoyed listening to the audiobook. It was well done and very entertaining. I recommend adding ONE WRONG WORD to your TBR you won't be disappointed.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Macmillian audio for my gifted copy!

This review will be shared to my Instagram @coffee.book.break.reviews closer to pub date.

Book Title: One Wrong Word
Author: Hank Phillippi Ryan
Narrator: Gail Shalan
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Genre: Psychological/Thriller
Pub Date: February 6, 2024
My Rating: 4.6 rounded up
Pages: 352

Arden Ward is a Crisis Management expert. However is having her own personal crisis unfairly accused of having an affair with a powerful client, Arden is given an ultimatum. She has just two weeks to save her career and her reputation.
Cordelia Bannister just may save her.

Cordelia has reaches out to Arden to help her husband Ned, a Boston real estate mogul.

Ned was driving late after a party yes he had been drinking and kills a man who was skate boarding in the company’s private parking garage.
Although exonerated by a jury the public doesn’t believe it, they both now are social outcasts.

Arden is great at her job and had me hanging rooting for her to find the truth.
The story builds chapter by chapter actually is more like a layers in a red onion. One layer is red then white – I am thinking –
~ he did it intentionally
~ no he didn’t
~ Cordelia is lying
~ she is responsible.
~ no she isn’t
~????

My heart was still pounding after it ended!!
.
Additionally audiobook performer Gail Shalan is awesome ~ She is Arden!!~
She reminded me of audiobook performer January LaVoy who to me is Lindsey Boxer in Patterson’s “Women’s Murder Mystery’ series.

Although I have only read a few Hank Phillippi Ryan novels, I went into this without knowing anything about it ~ except that I like the author!

Want to thank NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this early audiobook.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for February 6, 2024.

I found the book to be decent overall, though I did predict the culprit early on which made the story feel a bit slow at times. Nonetheless, the ending was still satisfying thanks to some unexpected twists. I would recommend this book to fans of mysteries, although it may not be as appealing to those who read mysteries frequently.

***Thank you to NetGalley, Hank Phillippi Ryan, and Macmillan Audio for graciously sending me the audiobook to review. As always, all thoughts are my own.***

I enjoyed this one! I listened to the audiobook and the narrator is one of my favorites- she always does a fantastic job differentiating between character voices and drawing up the suspense. This book kept me guessing and thinking I knew what happened just to be wrong again. I’m hoping that this one becomes a series, so much more to this story to be told and I can’t wait to read every word! Loved it!

Copied from Goodreads:

I grew up in the Boston area through the 90s with my grandmother, an ardent admirer of Channel 7 and Hank Phillipi Ryan. Her in-depth reporting was frequently referenced but I did not know that Phillipi Ryan also wrote mysteries and has been for some time. Given how often public figures write novels, I had low expectations. They were decidedly shattered.

I got the impression from the acknowledgments that she did write the book and did not rely on a ghostwriter, so the fact that “One Wrong Word” was well-written was also a nice surprise. The dialogue was natural, the scenes well-depicted, and the characters believable. It was evident that Phillipi Ryan used her experience investigating and living and working in Boston to build an authentic world and plot. I did find the plot to be predictable but it was not trite and I also frequently read this genre.

I would recommend “One Wrong Word” for any fans of suspense/mysteries or Boston aficionados.

“One Wrong Word” is available in the US on February 6, 2024. Thanks to Macmillan Audio and Netgalley for this audio ARC given in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.