One in Four is a standalone title written by Lucinda Berry.

Release date: May 13, 2025

*Reality television show
*Celebrity rehab
*On page assault

Lucinda Berry delivers another gripping and graphic depiction of real life experiences. This story deals with individuals who are going through rehab while dealing with their celebrity lifestyles.

When one of the participants ends up dead, the on-site chemical dependency counselor soon finds herself as the prime suspect in the murder.

What follows is many pages of detailed assaults of a college girl and the main character. This book does not have a happily ever after in any sense of the word.

Fans of Lucinda Berry will know what to expect in this book, if this is a new author for you, tread carefully and know your triggers.

TW: sexual assault, drug use, suicide, cheating, bullying, kidnapping

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this title!

Format: NetGalley ebook
Genre: Thriller / Suspense
Overall score:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice level:🌶️
Characters: Laurel (FMC)

Ugh I’m so mad at this book, the ending just felt unnecessarily mean 😫

What I liked about it:
The first 50% started off really strong. I loved the plot which followed a live stream tv series gone wrong. The show follows child stars who have turned to drugs in their adolescent and adult lives. They are a group of 7 who move into a home together (think big brother except the purpose is for rehabilitation and there is lots of detoxing and therapy / recovery groups which viewers can watch live streamed 24/7).

The show definitely gives off ethically questionable vibes concerning extorting people in their most vulnerable / and can people really give fully informed consent when they are in the throes of drug addiction.. However the therapist Laurel made some really good points and I was intrigued with her methods and could tell from their meetings that she genuinely cared about each patient and wanted the best for them.

The group is almost on their last day when something goes wrong and one of them unexpectedly dies. Laurel becomes a suspect and starts to believe somebody is setting her up.

Now this is where the plot kind of loses me, things take a big 180 turn and although the action and drama is definitely kicked up ten notches, things seem to just spiral from this point on and I struggled to get on board with it.

After forming attachments to the main character I just really hate how the book ended. We were thrown in the mix with some dark subject matter and the author seemed to take it one step further and decide to destroy any potential semblance of hope the reader may hold onto. Yes the shock factor was intense, yes there was an extra couple of twists thrown into the end, but instead of giving me the “wow” factor, it just depressed the hell out of me.

✅ Good writing, fast pace, flawed likeable FMC with complex redeemable qualities
❌ unsatisfying ending

Thank you to Thomas and Mercer and Lucinda berry for the EARC!

Publish date: May 13th 2025.

I devoured this in the briefest of sittings. This was my first Lucinda Berry book and certainly will not be my last. Perfect balance of character work, plot, and twists.

Fantastic!
Lucinda Berry fans are going to loooove it! 🤩
I always go into my favorite author's books blind and I'm so glad I did with this one.. Not what I was expecting.

Check for your triggers, per usual.
Laurel is a psychologist, specializing in addiction recovery, taking care of rich childhood stars. Life is looking up for the former addiction, until tragedy strikes with someone close to her. She takes matters into her own hands when it looks like hope is lost, but who can she turn to and who can she trust? Something is not adding up but how will she prove it?
The story within the story is heartbreaking and hard to read at times but I was deeply immersed in Laurel's unfortunate situation.
I couldn't get through this book fast enough! The characters make you want to scream and as always, LB leaves you wanting more, but I think this one will stick with me for a while.

I have been a Lucinda Berry fan since my first Kindle. She's a wonderful writer of suspense and One In Four has plenty of it. It was difficult to put down by the time you get about 20% into it. I was not a fan of the ending and some parts of the book were a little difficult to read. It does involve some sexual assault / rape / abuse and is where the title of the book came from, I believe. A statistic is mentioned in the book that "one in four women will be sexually assaulted by the time they're 20 or 30" (paraphrasing, but that's the gist of it). While IDK if it's accurate or fictional, it wouldn't surprise me to find out its true, unfortunately. This book felt a bit different from her previous reads but still had me flipping pages like they were on fire. Great read.

Title: One in Four
Author: Lucinda Berry
Publisher: Thomas & Mercer
Kindle Page Count: Unknown
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Anticipated Publish Date: May 13, 2025
Rating: 3.5, rounded to 4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Lucinda Berry delivers yet another gripping psychological thriller with One in Four. Known for her ability to weave tension-filled narratives centered around complex dynamics and trauma, Berry doesn’t hold back in this unsettling story.

The novel explores the addiction of former childhood Hollywood stars set in a reality tv show following their inpatient rehab experience. Berry does a remarkable job delving into themes of trust, betrayal, and the fragility of relationships. The pace is steady, and the tension keeps building, making it hard to put the book down.

While the twists are effective and the story is engaging, there were moments where the pacing slowed, and certain revelations felt slightly predictable and sometimes unrealistic. Still, the overall execution was strong, and the ending delivered enough of an emotional punch to leave me satisfied.

If you’re a fan of psychological thrillers that explore dark secrets and keep you second-guessing, One in Four is a compelling read worth picking up.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a digital ARC of this book.

This was a bleak story! That being said, I enjoyed it. I love Berry’s use of multiple POVs in all her books. It’s a format I really find compelling. When I saw this book was about a murder during a reality sober house TV show, I was in. Just imagine all the drama! And this book delivered so much drama!

Lucinda Berry slays again. I thought I had this book all figured out, and I was so wrong. It's going to take me a minute to process this ending... 🤯 This psychological thriller is absolutely mind blowing.

A crime was committed on a reality TV show under the watchful eyes of the producer Gia. Dr. Laurel Harlow has been treating her patients for twenty-six days on live television. All seven of the patients were being treated for chemical dependence issues. The staff hired also had dependency issues allowing the inpatient treatment experience to be relatable.
…
One in Four by Lucinda Berry isn’t what I imagined reading when I first read the synopsis. Going in I thought I would be reading about seven clients living in a house with cameras rolling twenty seven recording every moment on live television. That’s not at all what this book is about. I can’t tell you what One in Four means as that might spoil the book. The direction of the crime led into an unexpected direction. Even solving the case of the patients death was not part of the storyline. It’s deeper than that. Buried under the surface is a backstory about the therapist who has dedicated her life to helping young people cope and heal with dependency.
…
The entire story banked on revealing a truth that would not only shock readers but educate them on how revenge is a motivator for doling out punishment for crimes committed. The ending was epic and everything I would expect from a justice served storyline. The process to get justice and unlock all those secrets was a bit slow. If only the story had a more steady pace of activity focusing more on this singular goal. I found moments where I could not focus n the content as it seemed it wasn’t stealing the story in the direction I needed to maintain interest.

Dr. Laurel Hargrow, a therapist, reluctantly agrees to be on a reality show about former child stars overcoming addiction. However, when one of the stars is murdered on set, she must investigate their lives and her own. As secrets are revealed and past traumas come to light, Laurel must hunt down the killer, even if it means risking everything.

This story was filled with unexpected twists, making it a typical Lucinda tale! The suspense began building from the moment I opened the book. Readers should be warned that there are triggers present, particularly surrounding the theme of bullying, substance abuse, and bodily harm/rape. However, it is this raw and believable portrayal that truly captivates the reader.

While I was able to predict some of the twists, the "why" and "how" remained a mystery until the very end. The dual timeline structure of the book provides essential details, while the multiple points of view offer a well-rounded perspective. The characters are complex and flawed, evolving over time as we delve deeper into their stories.

The conclusion of the book took me by surprise, delivering a shocking and intense ending that left a lasting impact. The raw emotions and frustrations experienced throughout the story made it feel incredibly real. It serves as a reminder of the ongoing issues faced by many, urging readers to take action and make a difference.

For those who appreciate this author's work, this book is must-read. The dark and thought-provoking narrative pushes boundaries and leaves a lasting impression. If you enjoy stories that challenge your perspective and make you question your own actions, then this book is highly recommended.

Thank you, Thomas & Mercer for the digital ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

‘When a reality show about former child stars overcoming addiction culminates in murder, their therapist must take a closer look into their lives—and her own’

The first half was intriguing. Slow-burn kind of beginning with an air of mystery shrouded in uncertainty around a peculiar death.

But around the 60-65% mark, everything gets a little haywire. Things take a turn & the turn felt rushed and unfolds in a nearly implausible fashion.

Unfortunately, not my favorite, but I do enjoy Berry’s work.

Thank you NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for this arc in exchange for review.

Pub date: 5.13.25

One in Four by Lucinda Berry is a thriller about the glitz of reality television with the dark aide of addiction and murder. Dr. Laurel Harlow’s role as a chemical dependency counselor for a reality show featuring former child stars throws her into a chaotic mansion filled with secrets. When one of the stars is found dead, the suspense skyrockets, as everyone has something to hide. This novel is a layered mystery, alternating between Laurel’s unraveling investigation and her own troubling past. This book will have you hooked from start to finish!

I got this on Netgalley as an Arc. I rate it 3.5 stars.

I honestly am kind of disappointed, I thought this one was going to be really good. It was good, but it doesn't hold up to the other books I've read by Lucinda. All of her books are good though and I've never rated one under 3.5.

This one follows the story of Laurel who is a therapist that works with addiction. She was invited to work with addicted Hollywood child stars. As she's working with the kids, one of them turns up dead and Laurel is working to try and find out what happened to her.

I knew exactly who was the killer, I guessed the two people who were setting up Laurel at about 50% into the book. I think that really drug it down for me and I started losing interest after that. The ending of the book, I felt like it drug on longer than it needed to.

As someone who deals with mental health issues, and has experienced some of the things in this book, I just didn't get the same feeling reading this as her other books. Her books usually speak to me on a deep level and for some reason even though I can relate 100%, it didn't give me that feeling with this one. Lucinda Berry books are the ones I goto when I want to feel the emotions because she writes about darker subjects.

I did still enjoy it and would recommend it.

A new Lucinda Berry book is a must read ASAP. I prefer her darker books, with disturbing subjects sensitively handled, The Perfect Child, Saving Noah, The Phantom Limb and Appetite For Innocence are some of my favourites.

One In Four centres on Dr Laurel Hargrow, an addiction counselor working on a reality TV show, live streaming from a house full of ex-child stars in recovery. When one of the stars dies in the house Laurel is determined to get to the truth despite being under suspicion from the cops herself.

It’s an original subject, it takes a while to get going, there’s a change in direction and then ‘Wow!’, the Lucinda Berry vice grip begins to tighten and it doesn’t let go to the very last page.

Dark, disturbing, originally structured, emotionally involving and completely compelling. This is my favourite Lucinda Berry book since Off The Deep End and is sure to delight her fans.

Highly recommended.

Thanks to Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer

📖 ARC Review

PUB Date: May 12th 2025

😳😳 This is my 6th book by LB and she’s become a comfort read , I know it’s going to be twisted and dark and she’s NOT afraid to go there !

One in Four was filed with suspense that was INTENSE, so buckle up for this one it starts off with a Bang 💥

Dr.Laurel Hargrow is a chemical dependency therapist and she has picked up a sweet contract on a reality TV show following young former troubled child stars …and one ends up dead 😵 while the cameras are still rolling.

Laurel is complex , smart and has a dark past that allows her to dig deep to relate to these former stars and their addictions , but what she doesn’t expect is turn into a hunter trying to find the killer .

If Laurel is not careful she could end up with more blood on her hands that she can handle and not even therapy can save her this time !

If you’re looking for a unique , dark , dubious & fabcicated twisted page turner that delves into addictions, self harm and sexual abuse with a shocking ending, then look no further, this will be one for you …if you dare.

I think LB fans are going to have a wild time with this dark bingeable read !

Thank you NetGalley , Thomas & Mercer & Lucinda Berry for this heavy thrilling read !

** Trigger Warnings Addictions , Self Harm, Sexual / Rape Abuse**

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! Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

One thing I really love about Lucinda Berry is that her books are always short and easy reads. Nothing is ever dragged out. This was twisty and a good, fun read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for providing this book, with my honest review below.

I enjoy Lucinda Berry’s writing and was eager to read One in Four, with faint wisps of memory of The Surreal Life and other early reality shows where stars who were famous for a blink come together and generally have had some tough living in their past. While I got less of the dynamics of the stars in the house they are hoping to get clean in, I got a seriously disturbing story (in a good way). Starting with the death of the youngest castmate, Maddie, we find Laurel, the therapist for the stars and a recovering addict, quickly start to be suspected as the cause behind Maddie’s death.

We learn more about Laurel’s addiction days, her family, and her memories of Maddie along with another mystery perspective of a deeply disturbed young woman who is being bullied after a traumatic event and trying to kill herself. While there are brief moments of what I would loosely describe as gore, Lucinda Berry’s writing is so descriptive I found myself more than a little off put, but equally touched at other points, as this story has some really ‘stay with you’ elements. Without spoiling, the requisite twists I would expect from a thriller / mystery are present but the ones occurring towards the end are completely gut wrenching. If you’re a fan of the genre this story will suck you in!

I have mixed feelings about this one. On one hand i think the writer is so good at writing deeply flawed, complex characters and it shows her psychology and research background. These characters feel like characters i would see where i work with adults with severe mental illness and i think the characters are written very well. I was interested in the plot until like 50 percent where it pivoted to another which was really triggering. It’s nothing the author did wrong it was just a lot of descriptive self harm, violence, body fluids, trauma, ptsd, revenge, kidnapping etc. it was kinda jarring and after the half way mark everything happened so fast and it felt like a huge spiral. Personally it was the violence or self harm that triggered me but the body fluid stuff phew.

I was very captivated by the book, i couldn’t stop reading and stood and read until i finished the book. So the plot is that the fmc is on a tv show and is the substance use sobriety psychologist. We have different patients and one dies and the police are investigating the fmc. Theres a present and post pov and it’s weird because the pov of the past just says her. Everything spirals and I’m not happy with the conclusion and ending of the book. Overall it’s unique and i just was left a little unsatisfied with the ending. Thanks to the publisher for this arc.

Another great book from the author. The twists and turns were expected and made for a fun read. Read it in a couple of sittings as I couldn’t put it down. Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the ARC.