Thank you to NetGalley, Lucinda Berry and Atria Books for the free ebook in exchange for an honest review.

Whoaaa. I don’t even know how Berry comes up with these ideas and twists but man, they are shocking in the best possible way. I didn’t see this one going where it went and I did not totally see that ending coming. Wow. So good!

I'm a big Lucinda fan and this one just didn't do it for me.

I found the second half of the story way too confusing and by the time I reached the halfway mark I was done with all the politically correct buzzwords and themes.

These themes have just become so played out in current books and, at this point, none of it seems genuine because it's all now being overused.

Thank you NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for an e-copy of ONE IN FOUR to review.

I rate ONE IN FOUR three out of five stars.

Enjoyed the book but I have mixed feelings. The rating might be closer to 2.5 stars. The story turned into something completely different than I initially thought. (Not that it's a bad thing.) I really thought it was all about a reality show gone wrong. The reality show just a teeny, tiny little part of it. I have conflicting thoughts. Did I like the twist? I'm not really sure. The book definitely took a turn for the dark side. To say the story is full of twists and turns is an understatement. I still have many unanswered questions. Did Paris ever talk to her sister or parents about what was happening? Wouldn't the police see all the messages that she was receiving? Gia's trying to put the blame all on one person. I would have gotten revenge on the boys involved. They had to know who it was, since he was arrested. So much didn't make sense. How long did it take Gia to get her plan into place? Did I love the characters? Not really. I felt bad for Paris and Laurel. Noelle got what she deserved. She was so easily persuaded. Why would you believe a stranger over your wife. Did she not love Laurel? Laurel seemed pretty open with her. Gia was just an awful person. I disliked (hated) her the most. She was trying to avenge what happened to Paris, but in an extremely horrific way. Were the police even looking for Laurel? Why weren't they questioning Noelle about Laurel's disappearance? Noelle hated Laurel for being a liar. What was Noelle? She was so much worse. Gia must be a master manipulator. I didn't love the ending because I wanted to know what happened to everyone. Was justice served?

Definitely recommend giving the book a try. It will keep you guessing with all the twists and turns. It wasn't my favorite by the author but it kept me entertained. I enjoyed story and writing style. The characters were another matter. I look forward to reading more books by the author.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas & Mercer through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

It's a new book by Lucinda which excites me.

I have a love and hate relationship with this book because I loved how it started but felt a bit lacking of the ending. But the twists and turns were somewhat unpredictable and shocking. The problem with me is just the ending, how the story was concluded. I was hoping for a more ompfh on the ending.

Still, I'd be excited for another Lucinda book. She is one of my go to thriller authors.

The first half of this book read differently and I really enjoyed it. About halfway through things took a turn. While it was still enjoyable and thrilling, in my opinion the abrupt change moves this from a 5 star read to 4 stars. The ending has a great twist, but felt a bit rushed. The book is short and I think it if it was a little longer things could have been explained more deeply. Overall I still really enjoyed this and I'm looking forward to more from this author.

Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Crystal Meadows is an inpatient treatment center for addiction run by Dr Laurel Harlow. In this center, former popular child stars are cast in a reality show where viewers watch them through addiction and recovery and the methods used.

The youngest of the former child stars and most loved Maddie dies at the end of her treatment program. Laurel is considered a suspect.

There were different POVs. The ethics of this story doesn’t follow the ethics of a psychologist in real life. It’s a dark, gory story with dark subject matter.

The story has a lot of trigger warnings: a lot of descriptive self harm, suicide, violence, cheating, manipulation, kidnapping, trauma, betrayal, addiction, bullying, drug abuse.

The story brought attention to drug addiction and methods used. I enjoyed the twists. The story was too dark for me.

Thank you #netgalley, #thomasandmercer

I couldn't put it down it was fast paced and kept me engrossed all the way through. the twists kept me guessing all the way through and I read it in one sitting.

Always enjoy thrillers by this author, they always have an underlying deeper meaning. The plot was definitely captivating and hooked me. I had a hard time putting the book down. It was definitely a unique thriller but the ending did leave me a little unsatisfied.

I’ve read several of Lucinda Berry’s novels, and she always tells a good story. Her characters are well drawn out. This book features Lauren, psychologist, who is working on a reality television show, at a treatment facility for grown up child stars who are addicts. Berry is always tackling difficult issues, and this is one about addiction and SA. It is a dark book, and the author tells stories in a sympathetic and non-judgmental manner.

I could not put this book down, I absolutely devoured it! My mind was whirling the entire book, I'm pretty sure I have whiplash. The fast pace kept up the entire book keeping me guessing the entire time. My only complaint is that it ended too soon, I feel like it could have been longer or there could be a second book. Overall, I highly recommend, Lucinda Berry does not disappoint.

Anything by Berry is amazing. This is a dark thriller that touches on a sensitive subject. The writing and characters in the book were great. It sends a powerful message to people. I would rate this 4.5 out for 5 stars.

The beginning of this book was great. I liked the storyline, but didn't like the ending. It felt a little sloppy and unfinished.
The main character was likable. I would have liked better explanation of backgrounds, especially given that the ending was annoying.
If the ending had been better written it would be a solid 4 star read, given that I didn't like the ending im giving it a 3 star.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this ARC

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the ARC

A fast paced and intriguing thriller. I really liked all the twists in the books and how I doubted all the characters. I never saw where the story was going and was impressed by the ending. A great and enjoyable read

This was twisty and dark, and everything i have cone to expect from Lucindas books. We have an accident that ends in a tragic death that leads us to very different ideas of what might have gone wrong. We have women with age-old grudges trying to keep us in the dark about the actual events and timeline. I was loving the multiple jump backs to the unnamed Her and the current pov as the investigation was being conducted. Another fantastic book.

Thank you to the author for the early copy

3 ⭐️

ONE IN FOUR by Lucinda Berry

Lucinda Berry has made waves in the Kindle thriller world in the last few years, but I hadn’t yet read anything by her. When I saw she had a new novel coming out, I thought I’d give her a try.

In this novel, therapist Laurel works on a reality show Comeback Kids with washed-up child stars who are now drug addicts (think Big Brother crossed with Intervention). One of the show stars Maddie passes away one evening, after coming out of the bathroom bleeding. When the detectives show Laurel evidence that implicates her as being involved, the story turns. While most of the story is in the present day, there are occasional flashbacks to an unnamed woman’s past experiences.

➕ The premise and setting of the murder sounded really interesting
➕ Quick, propulsive read

➖ The novel pivots a little over halfway through and abandons the initial murder of Maddie. I felt like it WAS resolved, but at the same time I didn’t want to pivot in such a way.
➖ There are a lot of triggers and more close-up horror than I expected with a lot of weak characterizations.

I know the author has a background in psychology and trauma, but I’m not sure this book approached those topics with much care because a lot seemed gratuitous. Due to the vivid descriptions of some scenes, I think this one will stick with me. I’m not sure I’d recommend it though.

Thank you to NetGalley, and Thomas & Mercer for an Advance Reader Copy in exchange for an unbiased review.

It publishes May 13, 2025.

Got an advance copy of this one but it’s going to be a DNF for me – I wish the trigger warnings would’ve been more pronounced!

Lucinda, my god woman, where do you come up with these way fucked up…plots that leave me dying (yes pun intended) to read them. Girl, we gotta talk….

One in Four, buy it…read it…and then sit on it and absorb the actual message. Despite the twists, turns, violence and crimes happening…there’s always a message in the madness! Berry always delivers a stunner and this one is just that.

4.25 stars/5….no one wins in this one…and there’s not really anyone to cheer for. And the ending felt abrupt and I wanted more.

A Big Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for this ARC for my honest opinion of the book! I loved it! I expect it to be another hit! Looking forward to the next one! Cheers!

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!