Lucinda Berry is known for her dark storylines. This one wasn’t as dark as her other ones, but it was still really well written. I loved the reality tv angle. I thought some of it was far fetched, but it had some good twists and some moments of unreliable narrator. Overall, a fast paced enjoyable read. I’m already looking forward to reading her next one!

Title: One In Four
Author: Lucinda Berry
Publisher: Thomas & Mercer
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Pub Date: May 13, 2025
My Rating: 4.4 Stars
Pages: 251

This is my sixth: Lucinda Berry novel. My first was " The Best of Friends|" which I loved and became a Lucinda Berry fan!
I went onto this story knowing nothing about only that I love this author.

Story is told from Timeline POV of Present and Then ~‘Then' is told by a mysterious ‘Her’.

Story starts when Dr. Laurel Harlow gets a distraught phone call.

Dr. Harlow has a doctorate in ‘Addictive Disorders and Recovery Studies. Her training as a chemical dependency counselor was just what the producers of a Reality Show wanted. She is treating former child stars who are addicts. The show is being filmed at Crystal Meadows, an inpatient treatment center. The patients all love attention so don’t mind sharing their dirty laundry 24/7 to the world.
The phone call Dr. Harlow receives is from Gia telling her that there is blood everywhere and Maggie a much loved patient stumbled out of the bathroom and falls to the floor while blood pours from her plus was witnessed while the cameras were rolling.

Next thing we know Laurel is a suspect - she believe somebody is setting her up. Additionally has concerns that an investigation into her past just might reveal things she would rather stayed buried,

Story is disturbing but kept me glued. I believe Dr. Berry’s intentions in writing this story is to leave readers continuing to think about these issues long after the book is closed.
As a retired high school counselor I worry about the abuse connected to so called recreational drugs and sexual activity- abuse is abuse – Yikes- I am not going to sleep tonight for thinking about this story!.

About the Author ~ Dr. Lucinda Berry is a former clinical psychologist and leading researcher in childhood trauma. Now, she spends her days writing full-time where she uses her clinical experience to blur the line between fiction and nonfiction. She enjoys taking her readers on a journey through the dark recesses of the human psyche.

Want to thank NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for granting me this early eGalley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for May 13, 2025.

I always fly through Lucinda Berry's books and One in Four was action packed from the first page. And that plot twist!!! I've seen some reviews complaining about trigger warnings but if you've ever read a Lucinda Berry book you know what to expect - they're dark and they don't always have a happy ending. I recommend this one to anyone looking to read a book that will have you feeling a little unsettled when you finish. I need to go watch a funny show after that, which is exactly how a good thriller should make you feel!

love Lucinda Berry. Whenever Lucinda Berry has a new book, I am always ready to dive in. This was another good book. Every single book has left me processing after I've turned the last page. For this reason, She makes me think about situations and trauma people deal with in life. Some may find this one triggering. My opinion is my own and I encourage others to read it for themselves.

Wow this was good

It was not as good as the other Lucinda Berry books I have read ( most of her book end up being 5 stars for me) however this one was still really enjoyable for me.

Lucinda has become an auto read for me for sure. I will read anything this woman puts out. I liked the main character in this one. The other characters not so much but that’s part of it ;) the story is incredibly fast paced with some very deep topics. I also LOVED the ending of this. The way she tied it all up at the end was perfect.

Overall solid read is will definitely be recommending this one.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I always enjoy Lucinda Berry's thrillers, and this was no exception. They always have a jaw dropping twist and its a little darker than the normal popcorn thriller. This will keep you on the edge of your seat and engaged when reading.

Just like so many others have said before, Lucinda Berry does it again! Filled with emotional depth and page turning suspense, Just when you think you know, no you didn't! Berry continues to hit the mark, every single time.
Bonus points because I love to see queer representation in thriller novels!

📚 One in Four
✍ Lucinda Berry
📖 Mystery/Thriller
⭐2/5

🙏Thank you to Thomas & Mercer, NetGalley and the author for an advanced copy of One in Four. All opinions are my own.
◾
What I thought: I was initially drawn to this book because I was intrigued by the reality show about recovering addicts and the promised 'house' drama. But very little of this story is actually about the reality show and halfway through, the plot changed altogether. What I think the author intended as a plot twist was actually just the second half of a different book with different characters and a completely different story and honestly, it made no sense. Because of this, we didn't get any character development or follow-up and the storylines didn't line up. For example, the main character mentions in the first half that she moved to LA after living with her addiction issues as a teen but then suddenly is dealing with the fallout from a sorority problem in the second half when she never mentioned her college experience at all. It was baffling. There was so much triggering content (seriously, read the warnings on this one) that I think the author was just going for shock value. And...the ending left me completely scratching my head but not in a good way.

*I also want to point out that there was some really problematic mentions of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority. Well known as an incredible historically black sisterhood organization, the organization was recognized in this book as a sorority that allowed/promoted hazing. Moreover, it was never specifically stated that the main character was black and it seemed to me that the mention of this sorority may have been an oversight, and a concerning one at that because of the way the organization was portrayed. It was mentioned that a 'white man' from the brother organization committed assault but the brother fraternity of AKA is Alpha Phi Alpha which is another historically black organization, so this should also be addressed.
◾
Read if you love:
*main characters who are psychologists
*books that address addiction
*revenge plots
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See also: Good Half Gone, Game of Lies,

*Trigger warnings: drug addiction, sexual assault, suicide, self-harm, eating disorders, bullying

Rating: 3 stars!

Honored to have gotten the change at an ARC for a Lucinda Berry book. That being said, this fell short for me. The topics of the book were INCREDIBLY dark. At the beginning of the book, you are in a rehab reality show and get a dual POV from "Then" that reveals a traumatic past. As the book goes on, the "Then" POV gets more frequent to fill in the gaps in the story. The premise of the book is dark and should not be taken lightly.

Thank you NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

"One in Four" is more than just a thriller; it's an emotional journey that will stay with you long after you finish reading.

Lucinda Berry has a gift for creating stories that truly relate to everyday struggles, and this one was no different. The emotions I felt reading this was no joke. There was so many twists and turns I felt like I was on a water slide.

I would highly recommend reading this. However make sure to check the trigger warnings because this one does contain some sensitive topics.

Lucinda Berry is an auto-buy author for me, so I was ecstatic when I was approved to read this! I really enjoyed One in Four—it had all the darkness, tension, and twists that I love from Lucinda Berry! The story itself was gripping, and I flew through the pages, completely hooked. The characters were complex, and the tension kept me hooked from start to finish.
That said, I figured out the twists early on, which took away some of the shock factor for me. And while I don’t mind an open-ended ending, this one felt a little too abrupt and left me wanting more closure. It was a good book and quick read, but I wouldn’t put it in my top 5 Lucinda Berry books. Still, it’s a solid psychological thriller and a gripping read, and if you’re a fan of Dr. Berry’s signature style, you’ll definitely enjoy this one!
Thank you to Thomas & Mercer and Netgalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

I loved the premise of this book, childhood stars overcoming their addictions on a reality show. What could possibly go wrong? I read this one in a day.
Short chapters, different timelines, and POV. I could not put it down! It took some interesting turns I did not see coming. I'm still on the fence with how I feel about some of the twists but let's be honest anything Lucinda Berry writes is great!

Really loved this book. It was so well thought out and it was written very well. It kept me at the edge of my seat the entire time and I never got bored. It was amazing.

Lucinda Berry has done it again! An amazing book with all the twists and turns. The ending was insane and was never what I would’ve expected. As with every one of her books, I give it a 5/5! If you like books with twists that you never see coming, you’ll love this book!

Dr Laurel Harlow is a chemical dependency counsellor in a TV reality show with former child stars. But one night after a murder, she became the prime suspect. As the investigation progressed, unsettling truths about Laurel’s past were revealed.

The plot was gripping and uniquely crafted, and the reality TV setting offered an intriguing yet ethically questionable backdrop. I liked Dr Harlow’s counselling technique; she genuinely cared about her patients.

Halfway through the book, it took a different turn, which was very unexpected. The plot shifted from murder mystery to past confessions and revenge, mixed with dark subjects. All the characters were unlikable. The ending felt abrupt, and there was no proper conclusion about the characters.

This book had a fast pace but ultimately fell flat for me.

I think it is most important for readers to be aware of trigger warnings in this book: sexual assault, overdose, addiction, suicide, trauma. This is not the type of book you can go into blind.

Where to start with this one.

This story and all of the characters are incredibly complex. It is clear that Lucinda Berry has an extensive medical knowledge base and I'm certain there was a significant amount of research that went into writing this novel. I love medical based thrillers, and, in my opinion, she knocks them out of the park every time. There were certain little twists I did figure out before it became clear in the book, but there was also a twist that I did not see coming which made the ending that much better.

A very engaging novel, told mostly from the present with a few flashbacks to "then." A recovering addict, Laurel, is the therapist to a group of current and former TV stars who are participating in a reality TV show focused on overcoming their current addictions. When one of the stars dies unexpectedly, Laurel is the center of the police's investigation. There is so much betrayal weaved into this novel that it will blow your mind. I typically enjoy having a clean and clear ending, this book does not provide that but it's completely worth it! Such a good read!

Again, be aware of starting this one. Do not read if you are easily triggered by the sensitive topics listed above. However, if you are ok to read these types of books, this one needs to be on your TBR as soon as possible. One in Four is definitely one of my favorites by Lucinda to date!

Thank you NetGalley and Thomas and Mercer for this e-ARC in exchange for my honest opinion!

Lucinda Berry never disappoints. I love Lucindas truly psychological take on thrillers. A reality show about child stars overcoming addiction ends in murder. Can the therapist spot who has buried secrets?

Thank you Thomas & Mercer, Lucinda Berry, and NetGalley for the copy of One in Four.

I have really enjoyed all of Lucinda’s books that I’ve read and this one is no different. This one deals with some very deep topics and has unexpected twists in it. Wow!

Lucinda Berry's novel, One in Four, premise is intriguing: Laurel, a therapist specializing in addiction, lands a high-profile job on a reality show designed to help former child stars get sober. However, the series takes a tragic turn when one of the clients is found dead.

Driven by a sense of duty and a touch of guilt, Laurel embarks on a personal investigation to uncover the truth behind her client's demise. The story unfolds at a brisk pace, keeping me engaged with twists and turns.

Unfortunately, the fast pace doesn't translate to a cohesive narrative. Several plot holes and inconsistencies detract from the overall experience. The motivations of some characters remain unclear, which left me feeling unsatisfied.

The ending, in particular, left me feeling disappointed and uneasy. The resolution felt abrupt and unconvincing, leaving a lingering sense of unease rather than a satisfying conclusion.

One in Four has the potential to be a compelling story, however, due to the significant plot holes and the unsatisfying conclusion, it ultimately falls short of its promise.

Recommendation: If you're looking for a fast-paced thriller with a unique premise, One in Four might pique your interest. However, be prepared for a somewhat uneven and ultimately unsatisfying reading experience.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas and Mercer for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Giving Big Brother vibes for a household being watched 24/7 and drama (minus the drug addicts in therapy). It was a bit hard to get in to at first, lots of characters and lots of moving pieces. I didn't really find any of the characters likeable. Was ok, but not one of my favorites.

Thank you to Netgalley, and Lucinda Berry for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Publication date for One in Four is May 13, 2025