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

Dr Laurel Harlow is the in-house substance abuse therapist on a reality show featuring former child stars now going through various stages of addiction. When one of the stars turns up dead, fingers start pointing in her direction, and Dr Harlow has some secrets of her own she’d like to keep hidden. One In Four had a promising, if unusual premise, and that, plus this author’s past works, drew me into the book. But the plot varied widely from that suggested premise, and it just never recovers. The book tries to explore several sensitive subjects, including suicide, rape and violence against women, but those topics get muddled under a perfect storm of terrible characters, unlikely plot developments and wild scenarios that the message unfortunately gets lost, as the reader cares about exactly no one due to their despicable actions and improbable situations. Huge disappointment in this one. I received an ARC of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Lucinda Berry's latest thriller was chock full of all the suspense. Dr. Laurel Harlow has recovered from years of addiction, and is now a well-renowned therapist. When she is given a life-changing opportunity to host a reality TV show with recovering child actors, she is hesitant, but ultimately agrees to do so. At first, things are going well and Laurel feels like she is really making a difference in the lives of the contestants. Until one tragic evening when one of the members of the house ends up dead.

Laurel is devastated and terrified. How could things have gone so wrong, so quickly? Also, who could possibly be responsible for such a heinous and senseless death? Laurel begins to question not only the other members of the house, but even those in her own personal sphere. It becomes abundantly clear that someone close to Laurel is responsible for this tragedy. But who? And why?

As Laurel struggles to find out the truth, she encounters an evil that is closer than she ever knew. And that evil is determined to make Laurel pay for the skeletons that are in her own (deep) closet.

Overall, this was a good read, but the ending fell a little flat for me. However, if you like the rest of Berry's books, I would recommend that you check this one out as well.

Ｅｂｏｏｋ Ｒｅｖｉｅｗ
3.5 ☆
Dr. Laurel Harlow can't believe she's agreed to do a reality TV show. Treating a mansion full of former child stars on the road to recovery is the most challenging assignment of her career—especially when one of them turns up dead while the cameras are rolling.

I'm not sure how I really feel about this book. I think I'll just rant about what I liked or disliked about the story, and hopefully, that will give you an idea of how I felt. I loved that this book isn't 400+ pages and is pretty straightforward. I liked that we got two different points of view, one from Laurel and the second from a mystery person.

The ending sucked; I didn't like it at all. But that's just my opinion.

Now, would I recommend this book? Heck, yeah, I would! I mean, it's Lucinda Berry! Definitely read it.

Thank you. Netgellay, and Thomas & Mercer for the ebook in exchange for my honest review.

This book does deal with heavy elements, but Once again Lucinda know how to write a thriller. That will keep you on the edge of your seat. Once you think you know how will go. Nope, she throws a curveball straight at you. So yes I totally recommend this book.

*One in Four* by Lucinda Berry is a gripping psychological thriller that explores the harrowing complexities of trauma, guilt, and accountability. Known for her ability to craft dark, intense narratives, Berry delivers another compelling and twist-filled story that keeps readers on edge throughout.

The novel revolves around four individuals, each connected by a tragic event, where one of them is the victim of a violent crime. As the story unfolds, Berry slowly reveals the pasts of each character, peeling back layers of secrets, lies, and unhealed wounds. The central question that drives the narrative is who is truly responsible for the crime—and whether they can ever escape the consequences of their actions, even if they were unintentional.

Berry’s writing is sharp and immersive, pulling the reader into a tense, morally complex world. The characters are deeply flawed, making them both fascinating and frustrating. This adds a layer of realism to the story, as the psychological depth of each character reveals their internal conflicts, making it difficult to easily classify any of them as simply "good" or "bad." As the mystery unravels, the reader is constantly forced to question their own assumptions, adding a level of suspense that is both thrilling and disorienting.

The novel is told from multiple perspectives, which allows for a broader understanding of the event from various angles. This structure heightens the tension and suspense, as each chapter uncovers more about the characters’ motivations and the impact of the crime. It’s a slow-burn narrative that keeps you hooked, revealing the truth in a way that feels satisfying yet disturbing.

One of the strengths of *One in Four* is its exploration of guilt, responsibility, and the moral gray areas that surround traumatic events. The story doesn’t shy away from uncomfortable questions about how far we should hold people accountable for their actions, especially when the lines between victim and perpetrator are blurred. Berry examines how trauma shapes people’s lives in different ways, leading them to make decisions that may or may not be justifiable.

While the pacing is steady, there are moments where the plot’s emotional weight can feel overwhelming, but this is a deliberate choice that amplifies the book’s impact. The twists in the book are both surprising and thought-provoking, adding to the psychological tension that builds as the story reaches its final, devastating conclusion.

Overall, *One in Four* is a hard-hitting and thought-provoking psychological thriller that will appeal to fans of morally complex narratives and twisty mysteries. Lucinda Berry once again delivers a powerful story that forces readers to confront difficult questions about trauma, guilt, and the consequences of our actions. If you enjoy thrillers with emotional depth and an unpredictable plot, this is definitely worth picking up.

Rating: 4.5/5 Stars
Pub Date: 5/13
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The Comeback Kids was a reality TV show where former child stars overcome addiction, until one of them is murdered. Dr. Laurel Harlow was the chemical dependency counselor but quickly becomes the number one suspect when evidence begins adding up against her. It's time to face her past as she hunts down the person who is targeting her.
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I instantly became hooked to this story right from the start. Berry doesn't hesitate for a second to kill off a character right in the beginning either. I was hooked to the idea of a reality show of former child stars that are not undergoing addiction treatment. I love how Berry brought light to the side of addiction and really gave the reader some glimpse into each of the characters on the show. I felt like I could really feel the pain that they were going through, losing a costar so dramatically. I also really appreciated the details that went into the explanation of the different methods that can be used for addiction treatment. I feel like its important to understand that not all types of recovery programs will work for everyone.
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One in Four was told in dual (of such) timelines. The main timeline being told through the eyes of Laurel and the second being a past timeline by "her". Now throughout the entire book I was constantly shifting my thoughts on who I believed to be "her". This had a pretty steady pace throughout the entire book. I found myself wanting more and more to figure out what happened to Maddie and "her". I actually audibly gasped from a few of the twists that Berry through in there; the one basically gutted me. Bravo to you Lucinda Berry for taking this story in that direction because it was not what I expected, and I loved every second of that ending.
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Overall, this was a huge win for me, I love a good psychological thriller that has me gasping at the twists and endings. I think that fans of Berry or psychological thriller fans will love this one. Be sure to check it out! Huge thank you to NetGalley, Lucinda Berry and Thomas and Mercer the ARC in exchange for my honest review!
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*There are definitely numerous trigger warnings for this book, so if you plan to read it, please be sure to check the list of content warnings before starting.*

This book has a dark subject matter and definitely some psychological twists. This kept me reading until the end. The ending left me sad which i feel was the intention for the book. If you like the twists of Lucinda Berry you sill love this book. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for an arc.of this book.. .

This book was moving along and then takes a drastic turn! Revenge is a bad thing for our protagonist. Lots of twists.

This author always hits it out of the park with her plots and characters and pacing. I like that her books are gritty and real
Thanks to Netgalley for letting me review book and the publisher

If you love books that get under your skin, shock you with their raw honesty, and stay with you long after you’ve finished, then Lucinda Berry is the author for you.

One in Four follows Dr. Laurel Harlow, a chemical dependency counselor who joins a reality show 📺 where celebrities try to overcome their addictions under public scrutiny. But when one of the participants dies ☠️, things take an unexpected turn. The reality show—and the story—don’t go the way anyone imagined. Instead, it turns into a gripping search for the truth. Every page pulls you in, and with Lucinda’s sharp storytelling, the pieces slowly come together to reveal a dark reality.

Lucinda Berry doesn’t hold back. She shines a light 💡 on the darkest corners of human nature—the twisted personalities, the betrayals, and the uncomfortable truths we often try to ignore. When most would look away, Lucinda dares us to confront the things we fear most. This ability to acknowledge the things that terrify us, but that are very much real, is what makes her such a priceless author. ♥️

Thank you to Netgalley, the publishing house and the author for the opporunity to read a complimentary copy of this book in return for a review based upon my honest opinion.

This book went in one direction for the first forty perecent and then the last sixty percent of the book went in a completely different direction and took a strange turn. I’m not mad at it. I was just very shocked with the way the storyline went.

The book starts out with a murder in a inpatient treatment centre for addiction, called Crystal Meadows. It’s also part of a reality TV show about celebrity addicts getting clean. One of the celebrities, Maddie, is found deceased and our main character. Dr. Laurel Harlow is called to the scene by the crew.

As they try to discover what has happened to young Maddie, the young celebrity who died on screen on-set, the police believe that it is a murder, and they will believe that Laurel may be their main suspect which Laurel is very surprised to find out that she is thei main suspect.

This was my first book by this author, I have kind of mixed feelings about it. I’ve heard great things about this author and her other works and I will definitely be checking out more books by her.

I’m a huge fan of reality tv so this story grabbed me quick. A recovery reality show? Yes, please! I was in but about half way, the plot fell away. I can feel all the research poured into Lucinda’s books. I was highlighting facts instead of enjoying the storyline. Then, the abrupt ending threw me. It had great potential but fell flat for me.

I have moved all books by Lucinda and this was no exception! The storyline pulls you in almost immediately and keeps you reading. The time jump on certain chapters keeps you wondering and I definitely was not expecting the ending. Another great read from Lucinda!