One day, I’ll learn. This is maybe my fourth or fifth book by Freida McFadden, and I am always left unsatisfied. I understand she is famous for popcorn thrillers. They’re good for one-sitting reads, which, coincidentally, I did read this in a day. I like to think that I’m not a snob when it comes to writing, but it’s like the author had a word count to meet and she’ll throw any sentence in there to get her word count. “I never sit cross legged on the floor anymore, not since kindergarten.” What does that bring to the story? That’s how her entire books are, and it’s time for me to throw in the towel.

This might be my favorite Freida book!!! It is definitely in the top 3 for me. So different than her other books. As per Freida fashion, it is fast paced & filled with lots of twists & turns. And, of course, I did NOT have it figured out in the end!!!! Loved it!!

One by One by Freida McFadden was another winner. I was trying to figure out the ending throughout the book but once again, I was surprised by McFadden's twists. Getting stranded in the middle of the woods without a signal is one of my biggest fears and I devoured this book. I loved how all the characters were intertwined with the backstory and of course, love a great twist.

Earlier this year, I read and reviewed Freida McFadden’s book The Teacher, and noted that “I enjoy psychological thrillers, but had not previously read anything by Freida McFadden… I loved this book, and stayed up for HOURS to finish it. It is just good entertainment. Five stars.” So I was excited when, thanks to Poison Pen Press and NetGalley, I received a copy of McFadden’s One By One in exchange for my honest review.

So, here is another one of what I think of as somewhat schizo thrillers: the plot is totally unrealistic, reading it requires a BIG pile of “willing suspension of disbelief,” and yet it is GREAT FUN!

Right from the jump, there is definitely mystery: the Prologue is written by “Anonymous,” who starts the story by telling the reader there are six people in a minivan, heading out for a 6-day getaway at an inn, every one of them has “a secret they don’t want anyone to know” and only one of them is going to make it out of the trip alive.

The first chapter is told by Claire, who works full-time in addition to being a wife and mother who is apparently ready to dump her husband Noah. They are joined on the trip by Noah’s BFF Jack and his uber-successful wife, divorce attorney Michelle, along with Claire’s BFF Lyndsay and her new love Warner.

Before they get to the inn, the three couples find themselves out of cell range and completely lost, after Claire’s minivan breaks down. The six of them hunker down in the woods, seriously underprepared (hardly any food or water) and begin relying more than they perhaps should on former Boy Scout Jack’s wilderness skills. Noah and Claire are clearly unhappy, and their sniping at each other gets old quickly. Claire can hardly wait to be alone with Jack, who is her lover in addition to being Noah’s BFF. Warner isn’t someone known to any of them other than Lyndsay, and he really gets on Claire’s nerves. Then, things get crazy as members of their group start to disappear (very Agatha Christie). No spoilers, but as usual I did not guess the outcome, and despite the unreality and need to suspend disbelief, I found it VERY enjoyable.

Originally published in 2020, it wasn’t nearly as good as The Teacher, and I wondered if possibly it was re-released to take advantage of the McFadden mania currently underway. Wahtever, it still gets Four stars.

Another excellent murder mystery by McFadden. Three couples plan a trip away at a beautiful secluded inn. Although there is a general unhappiness within the group they all seem to be excited to get away. Claire is ready to divorce her husband because of his uncaring attitude and refusal to help with their two children even though Claire works full time, just as her husband does. Michelle seems to care more about her work as a divorce attorney than her husband Jack, who has been carrying on an affair with another woman, also in attendance on the trip. Lyndsay and Warner seem all smiles in their new relationship, even though Warner seems very judgmental about Lyndsays body even though she is gorgeous. Mix in a general sense of anger within the group, car trouble, and getting lost in the wilderness and this trip will change their lives forever, if they are lucky enough to make it out alive. Fast paced twisty mystery that is impossible to put down.

i didn't love this as much as other frieda mcfadden books i've read, and because of that, i think i was expecting something more / bigger than what we got. the 'twist' didn't really shock me, and while i didn't guess exactly what was going on, i thought it was quite obvious that something alone those lines was going to happen, as a result of a poor setup and delivery. it still kept me engaged, but i have read better thrillers than this unfortunately.

thank you to netgalley and poisoned pen press for an advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review.

Unfortunately this one as not my favorite Freida McFadden books. I ended up rating it 2 stars. I felt like the book was not plausible at all. The way the characters kept dying off of random things in the forest was so weird. I also was not emotionally tied to any of the characters. I love most Freida books, but this one just wasn't for me.

One by One by Freida McFadden has a really interesting premise that caught my attention. Set in a remote forest, Claire Matchett and her friends head out  on what was supposed to be a rejuvenating getaway. However, when their minivan breaks down and they find themselves lost in the woods, their vacation takes a sinister turn as members of their group start disappearing one by one.

The storyline initially builds some good tension as the characters navigate the dark and treacherous forest, which is a staple of McFadden’s writing. While the plot was intriguing, the characters felt pretty one-dimensional, which made it difficult to care what happened to them. Certain plot points seemed predictable, and didn’t create that feeling of tension that is one of the best parts of the thriller genre. The ending felt rushed, and overall, I was underwhelmed by this one.

Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

My goodness, she does it again. This latest thriller had me on the edge of my seat I finished it in less than 24 hours. I loved the setting of the woods. The story focuses on three couples and the secrets they keep. I thought about halfway through I had figured out what the twist would be....but I was oh so wrong. If you've liked Verity or Freida's other books this is a must read.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the arc of this book. I greatly enjoy books from Freida McFadden and this one did not disappoint. Every time I thought I knew where this book was going it took and a different turn. I did not expect the twist at the end. Once I started this book, I could not put it down. I read it in one sitting. I cannot wait her next book.

👊🏼👊🏼/5 Thank you to @netgalley for our digital ARC of “One by One,” by Freida McFadden. Release date: April 2, 2024.

Claire and Noah’s marriage is crumbling. Three couples decide to reconnect and relax at an inn in the forest; however, they run into trouble along the way. And as the title suggests, they begin disappearing one by one. This one started out decently strong for me. I enjoyed the first few chapters, but then it flopped. I was able to solve the twists and found it to be slightly predictable. This was a quick read, but didn’t really hold my interest.

♡ eBook Review ♡
♤ Release April.2 ♤
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I swear Freida McFadden is one of those authors. If she has a new release, she is a MUST BUY author.
Man, this story had me hooked from the JUMP. I just knew I figured out everything, and NOPE, I was wrong. I love how this story wasn't predictable at all. I feel like you literally didn't know who the evil person was. Big Freida did it again.
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Claire Matchett needs this trip. It will be a break from work and raising children. A chance to repair her damaged marriage. A week of hiking and hot tubbing with friends at a luxurious hotel in the woods, disconnected from the pressures of real life. As they venture deeper into the woods, the members of their party are struck down mysteriously, one by one. Are they being hunted? And by what—or who?

♡ Thank you, Netgalley, and Posined Pen Press for this eArc for my honest review. ♡

Thoughts while reading this one. These people are all nuts! 😂 while not my fave Freida, definitely entertaining and a heck of an ending! Her characters inner monologue makes them so unlikeable but don’t I eat it up. 🤪

One thing about Frieda is you can never trust any of her characters!! While I wasn’t a huge fan of the ending overall I enjoyed this!!

4.75/5

I can always count on Freida.

It wasn't my favorite book by her, but it was still really good. As always, she kept me turning the pages to find out what was going to happen next and who the bad guy was.

And again, as usual, she kept me guessing until the end. I always think I know what's going on until I get to the end and she always throws in a great twist or two. There's just something about the way she writes that keeps you reading no matter what.

If you love Freida's books, you'll enjoy One by One too!

Love Freida McFadden’s books and this one was no exception. She really knows how to weave a tale that pulls the reader in from the beginning. I enjoy reading books that contain multiple points of view as it helps display the twists

Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this book to review!
I love all the books I’ve read from Freida McFadden - such quick easy reads and this was no different. Fast paced and just enough suspense to keep my devouring it! I loved this!

In true Freida McFadden fashion, this one literally had me reeled in from the very first chapter and once I started, I couldn’t stop! Talk about a thrilling ride!

This book is told in the POV of Claire in current time and an anonymous voice going though details of their childhood. Six friends are set to go to this remote inn in the woods to hike and fish. However, tragedy takes on the group and one by one they are going missing or turning up dead.
This was a quick page turning thriller. I read it in two sittings. Whenever I read a Freida book I always try to think completely outside the box to guess the big twist I know is coming at the end. But once again I was not able to catch this one either. Getting closer with each book, maybe ill get it eventually! I recommend this read if you like remote locations, getting lost in the woods, quick thrillers. duel POV and an ending you won't guess.
Thank you NetGalley, Poisoned Pen Press and the author for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This book was fantastic!! The twists and turns were coming hard! I thought I figured it out but then in true Freida fashion there was a whole lot more than I thought. I can’t believe this isn’t getting ALL the attention!