One's Company by Ashley Hutson takes readers on a journey with Bonnie Lincoln, a woman yearning for escape and solace. Bonnie seeks refuge from her painful losses and finds solace in the familiar world of her favorite TV show, Three's Company. When she unexpectedly wins the lottery, Bonnie's dreams become bolder, and she plans a drastic move to an isolated mountain retreat, where she aims to recreate the iconic apartment set of the show and immerse herself in the lives of its beloved characters.

The concept of immersing oneself in a binge-watch and using it as a means of transformation is intriguing and offers a unique premise. The book captures the essence of Bonnie's desire to transcend her past and find a new identity. It is reminiscent of books like My Year of Rest and Relaxation, with a detached writing style and quirky touch to the narrative, creating a distinctive atmosphere.

However, it seems that the book may have faltered in the final quarter, possibly losing some of its momentum. Despite this, the overall experience of reading One's Company seems to have been highly enjoyable. The character study and the exploration of Bonnie's motivations and desires are likely to resonate with readers who appreciate unconventional narratives and introspective journeys.

While it may have encountered some pacing issues toward the end, the overall experience was great and I enjoyed this debut novel. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy.

I'm a lover of odd books. When I read the premise for this one, I was all in. As I read it, I needed to stop often and really think about what WASN"T being said. More than a quippy or dark story about a girl obsessed with a television show, this is a book about trauma. It's a book about what trauma can do to a person. It's a book about what the human mind will do to escape trauma. In that sense, I loved it. It was visceral how much the main character was trying to escape from something she couldn't process. All of that being said, the reader needs to bring a lot to this book. So much of the point, in my opinion, comes from the reader reading between the lines and thinking about the motivations of the character, what is reality and what is contrived, and finding empathy for her even though she isn't likable. I enjoyed this book, but it's work.

The audiobook for this was fine. There wasn't anything extra or remarkable to it, which may have been by choice or just by default.

The imagination used and Three's Company references pulled me in. But other than that, it was ok, not great.

This book was….ummm…interesting. I go into my books blind so I had no idea what to expect, and this was certainly not it. I think I would have enjoyed this more if I had a passion for Three’s Company, but I do not. I felt very sad for her the entire time.

Perhaps you need to be a big Three’s Company fan to truly enjoy this?

Is anyone really a big Three’s Company fan? Other than the protagonist of this book, that is.

I struggle a lot with protagonists who I feel sorry for but don’t especially like, and that played a big role in my lack of enjoyment of this novel.

Bonnie has had a terrible time of it and I certainly felt bad for her, but she’s just not a very interesting person. Even taking what is surely severe situational depression into account for her demeanor, she still didn’t do much for me other than elicit pity.

I understand what the author was trying to do with Bonnie’s obsessive attachment to a dated, hammy sitcom, but I just struggle to feel much about someone who is this obsessed with a tv show. And not even a *good* tv show.

The fact that the show is outdated is of course part of the point the author is trying to make, but to me it’s SO outdated and lacking in the kind of nostalgia most people want to revisit that it just makes the whole book feel sort of out of touch, even as the reader recognizes that this is exactly Bonnie’s problem and that’s the whole point.

Again, I understand what Hutson was trying to do, but it just makes for a depressing read that does little to capture the reader’s attention.

The book translates to the audio medium just fine, though the format doesn’t do anything to improve the story. This is not the fault of the narrator, who does a lovely job.

I really thought I'd love this based on the concept, but it was a slog. And the unreliable narrator gimmick made discerning what happened and what didn't a bit of a challenge. Super bleak.

I couldn't get into this after the first thirty minutes or so. Voice narration seemed great and the concept interested me, just wasn't in the mood for some weeks.

One’s Company by Ashley Hutson is unfortunately a classic case of “this book was not for me,” mixed with “expectations were high but not met.” Such a bummer! I always appreciate unique and quirky stories, but this one just went a tad too far for my liking. I will give the author points for originality and great writing, though. I considered DNFing it multiple times, but just had to know where the heck this story would go! I was interested enough to see how it finished, but was left extremely underwhelmed in the end. This book is definitely not for everyone, so proceed with caution. Overall, it was just meh for me!

Thank you Netgalley for this audio edition of One's Company by Ashley Hutson.

I honestly had to take a minute after finishing One's Company to process what I just took in. This was definitely one of the more unique and definitely discussable books I've read in a long time.

Bonnie is a woman who thrives in solitude, having very few friends or even family members. But solitude becomes even more important to her after experiencing an unspeakable trauma full of loss and violence. But Bonnie also finds tremendous comfort and balm in the 70's hit TV show Three's Company. Owning multiple copies of the DVD's and souvenirs, she cannot get enough of these characters, or the quirky plot that keeps them spinning.

But everything changes after Bonnie wins a tremendous amount of money in the lottery. Now she can take her Three's Company fantasy and turn it into a reality, and finally cut herself off from the world for good.

Like I said, this is unique! I could discuss this one for days. I have very complicated feelings about it. Did I like the book? Yes! And I was incredibly interested in how it's all going to play out, kind of like watching any well known drama go down. But did I like the characters? Did I like anything that they were doing? Was I rooting for them? Not really, but I think that's also what added to such an odd and tasty indulgence.

On paper, this seems like a book i'd love. Unfortunately, I just couldn't connect with the narrative voice or with the emphasis on Three's Company. I do think I'd have probably enjoyed this more had I read it instead of listening to the audiobook.

This audiobook was a heavy insight into escaping your past trauma. I liked the idea of winning the lottery and re-creating the Three's Company set. I thought the book would be more light and humorous, but it was actually a contemplation of trauma and mental health issues.

When Bonnie Lincoln wins the lottery all she wants to do it hide.
The victim of vicious attack, Bonnie loses herself nightly in the life of the characters of her favourite Tv Show - Three’s Company. With unlimited resources Bonnie creates a life for herself far away from prying eyes with only Janet, Chrissy and Jack to keep her company.

Bonnie was a very unlikeable character.
She was mean and hypocritical and selfish. For these reasons it was difficult for me to fully enjoy this book.
I found it a little confusing at times because clearly some things only happened in Bonnies head, but there was no explanation as to how much actually happened.

In the end it was an enjoyable read, but not one I would automatically think of to recommend.

One's Company by Ashley Hutson is a unique story, one that I have not read which made it very interesting. After Bonnie wins the lottery she is able to escape her traumatic past. But, will this new plan of action be the change that Bonnie need in her life? Will the money make her a different person?

I could not get the Three's Company song out of my head while reading One's Company. I liked the TV tie in to Bonnie's life and wanted to see where the story was going. There were some slow moving parts and some parts that made me lose interest. Overall, a good read that kept me wondering what would happen next.

Thank you to NetGalley and OrangeSkyAudio for this copy in exchange for an honest review.

I am a sucker for all of those older sitcoms I used to watch when I was a kid and the premise of this one sounded so intriguing.
When Bonnie wins the lottery, she decides she can finally leave her past behind and create her own world modeled after her favorite show, Three's Company. As she creates her new world, her past comes to knock on her door no matter how closed off she becomes.

I think that I went into this book expecting more of a feel good, magical realism story about building your life around your comfort show. Instead, we are given a heart melting, soul bending story of loss, trauma, and coping with pain. I think you really have to be in the appropriate headspace for this one because it is HEAVY. It was a poignant tale but not for the faint of heart. I really do struggle when mental health is used as a distraction tactic so the rating suffers slightly in that sense. I think readers will love this book, regardless of their typical choice in genre-but go into this story ready to think and feel!

Visceral! Felt genuinely uncomfy and sad getting to peak into the characters past. What a unique plot and lens the author sees though.

This was fine nothing really wrong with it. Nothing really great about it. Enjoyable and good to red for l all

This book is a true diamond in the rough. Any author who can simultaneously make me laugh and break my heart gets all the praise from me.

The main character, Bonnie, is a bit quirky, which I love, and when she wins the lottery she decides to do something completely unorthodox for herself. This journey into obsession, grief, loss, loneliness, and just being human is a delight to read. I couldn't stop reading it.

Are you singing or whistling the Three's Company theme song? You will. I loved this story until I didn't. Mid to late in the book, the tone changes from happy to crazy to oh my to fill in the blank. The story premise is so fun, and the author took me along on the ride, until I wanted off.

Who is really crazy? Being different and hurting no one and spending their money as they see fit with all bills paid vs you who doesn't budget or plan and needs cash? Hmm or is there more to the story?

There is a cruel and hurtful scene that drew me back in, and I think I should have seen the ending coming but I didn't. There is profanity and some graphic sexual components.

I had the audiobook and loved the narration, beautifully done by Rachel Jacobs.

I did love the beginning and wanted a happily ever life for Bonnie (not the one she got).

Thank you NetGalley and OrangeSky Audio for accepting my request to read and review One's Company.

What a wonderful debut!

We all have our little (or huge) obsessions. If you don't believe me, take a look at my sitting room. And bedroom. And like... the rest of the house. Be careful, don't step on these [books]!!!

Thankfully (?) most of us are at least somewhat limited when it comes to acting on these obsessions because of this little thing called 💰🤑💸💲 But have you ever thought what would happen if you had the ability to take that constraint away? Would you build the world's biggest library? And like ...live in it?! Would you buy an island, and invite all the booklovers to come for a visit filled with books and wine and chocolate? For free?

Anyways...back to the One's Company...
.
Because that's exactly what happened to Bonnie Lincoln: she won a lottery. The biggest jackpot ever in fact. And yes, she decided to go all in as far as her obsession with the TV show, Three's Company, went. She planned to move to an isolated mountain where she'd recreate the show's "apartment 201" and live out the lives of Three's Company's characters one by one. If only her "best friend" Krystal could just leave her the f...ALONE, and stop trying to drag her back to her "old life" (the real life that is).
.
The description of the book mentions that it's perfect for "readers of Ottessa Moshfeg". I can definitely attest to that. I felt strong My Year of Rest and Relaxation vibes while listening to One's Company. I know that a lot of you felt conflicted about My Year of Rest, mainly because of the fact that the main protagonist comes off as a rich, and privileged brat. Thanks to her inheritance, she is conveniently positioned to actually be able to "give up on her life", and give into her obsession (with sleep in MYORAR case). I assure you that this is NOT the case with One's Company's main protagonist. While Bonnie is pretty much as dislikable as the unnamed MYORAR protagonist, she is certainly not rich or privileged (not in the beginning at least). Her obsession's stem from severe PTSD, and is essentially a survival technique to get her through life. She is also an unreliable narrator, but the motivation to give into her obsessions is very different from that of the Moshfeg's protagonist. She does not believe that giving in will solve all of her life's problems. She basically just does not want "life", and all that comes with it. Not now, not later. Never. In a way she wants to be like a drug addict. She wants to live the lives of the characters in her favorite show INSTEAD of her own life with all its trauma and disappointments. She also isn't really trying to justify her choices in any way, and is fully aware that most people (including herself if she did not win the lottery) would not be able to pull off something like that. It's just that because of her unique circumstances (winning the lottery) she is positioned to actually be able to do it. And she doesn't feel apologetic in any way. Her attitude is very much consistent with telling the rest of the world to "f off", and doing her own thing.

Anyways I really cannot say much more without dropping some major spoilers. Read this book if you like weird, "what the f" kind of reads that try to give you a glimpse into an unconventional psyche. And do not expect it to turn into something hopeful and bright. It really isn't like that at all. It's dark, and odd, and wonderful. And a little bit sad and hopeless. But still very very good. Read it. Or better yet listen to it. The audio is fantastic.

Thank you OrangeSky Audio for gifting me this ALC. The opinions expressed in the review above are all mine.

Bonnie Lincoln wants to be left alone. Especially after she wins the lottery. What does Bonnie do with her winnings? She purchases land away from others and builds a replica of the scenery from Three’s Company, a show she is obsessed with. As time goes on, she takes on each character and becomes them one at a time. Bonnie has a past of trauma and this is her way of coping. This story was very different. It was all from Bonnie’s point of view and how she didn’t want others interfering with her life. A very unusual book that didn’t pull at my heartstrings, didn’t make me feel for the main character and didn’t want me to keep going. The reviews out there are very mixed, many people enjoy the originality of the story, but to me it was lacking depth.