This book is a psychological thriller about a couple facing fertility issues. Olivia and Park have been trying to have a family with no success. However, Park had donated sperm while in college and has many offspring out there which he was unaware of. The DNA of one of his sons was found on a murder victim. The story had many twists and secrets that affected their marriage. More missing girls propel the story along with Park becoming a suspect. The author has a very personal note at the end which reveals her own personal struggle. Kudos to her candor! Great writing! #It’sOneOfUs #JTEllison #NetGalley

Compelling psychological thriller that explores the unravelling of dark secrets and consequences that ensue. This novel follows Oliva and Park Bender whose seemingly happy marriage, hides dark and terrible secrets. Olivia is a successful Interior Designer, while Park is a teacher on sabbatical who also works as a ghost writer. Just as the Benders suffer yet another miscarriage after many attempts at IVF, they discover that Park's son (through anonymous sperm donation while a college student) is the prime suspect in a murder investigation. Further compounding this difficult news, Olivia and Park discover that there are as many as 28 children as the result of his sperm donations. As the murder investigation ensues, another woman is taken and as the police and Benders seek to find the main suspect-Park's son, Dark secrets continue to be revealed that serve to further divide the Benders and those around them. This novel is riveting and unpredictable as dark secrets come to light, not only about the Benders, but also that of Park's son and his propensity for violence. Will the Benders' marriage survive or will these deep dark secrets tear they life they built together apart?

Unpopular opinion: This was hard to read. The story sounds intriguing, and JT Ellison is a prolific writer with many popular and exceptional works.
Olivia and Park have been trying for a baby. They had to resort to IVF that keeps failing. Olivia has experienced many painful miscarriages. One day the police come knocking, Park is the father of a murderer! How is that possible, they have no children? The truth comes out that Park donated sperm back in college and has a shocking number of children out there. This breaks Olivia's heart.
There are a lot of POV's here. It's also hard to suspend belief. One minute I was enthralled in the story and the next I was annoyed by Olivia and Park and just didn't care where it was going. I DNF. Perhaps I will come back to it, but for now- it wasn't for me.

This book was fantastic and I would highly recommend! It is a longer book and I feel that’s a huge reason why I enjoyed it so much along with the storyline and how well written it was. I never once got bored during this book. Personally I feel like going into this book blind would be the best

This book is full of twists and turns! At the scene of a gruesome murder, DNA is found that links the killer to Park Bender. Park's wife, Olivia, is shocked and confused by this, because she and Park have been unable to have children. What follows is a story full of science, ethics, and mystery. Park's secret donation to a sperm bank has been sold many, many times, without his knowledge or full consent. Now, his children have found a way to communicate with each other, calling themselves "the halves." It doesn't take long for them to realize that one of them is a murderer, and the race is on to find him and stop it from happening again. This is a fast paced thriller with an interesting plot. Fans of J.T. Ellison will not be disappointed! TW for infertility and miscarriage--I recommend reading the author's note first if you are concerned about how these topics are represented.

What in the world did I just read? I am obsessed with this book!! It's about a couple, Park and Olivia, struggling with infertility. But when women start disappearing, and Park's DNA ends up in one of the women's cars, secrets begin to come up rapidly.

I love that this book was told from multiple vantage points. It was a twisty, fast pages psychological thriller that kept the turns coming. But it never felt rushed. Thoroughly enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it!

Interesting premise that delves into many issues such as sperm donors, infertility, parental rights, etc. A solid mystery title.

Kept my attention, was a good read
Characters were intriguing and the store kept proceeding at a good pace
giving a 3 star rating

Thanks to NetGalley for providing this book for an honest opinion. This book was very intriguing dealing with DNA and the possibility of a person having multiple children from sperm donation and even the possibility of a serial killer. This was a great read with many twists and turns.

Wonderful thriller that kept me guessing and makes it clear everyone is a suspect or has something to hide, even up until the final pages. Fun play between family by blood and by choice.

Another fantastic novel from J.T. Ellison! I loved this book; it drew me in from the very first page. The storylines involving genetics, infertility, and sperm donors were timely and intriguing. They became intertwined and revealed myriad secrets., most of them compounded over many years. As the stories unfolded the twists began, and I loved the ending of the book. This was a captivating tale from beginning to end! Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this book.

Book Title: It’s One of Us
Author: J. T. Ellison
Publisher: Harlequin Trade Publishing - MIRA
Genre: Mystery Thriller
Pub Date: February 28, 2023
My Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟+ Stars

This is only my third novel by author, J.T. Ellison ]
I really liked "Tear me Apart"but “Good Girls Lie” was only okay ~ in fact, my comment was ~Will the real J. T. Ellison, please come forward?”
Awww
She sure did in this WOW story!!!!

The blurb on this sounded different and very interesting!

Olivia Bender and her husband, Park, have been trying to have a baby. Fertility treatments and IVF keep failing. Olivia has had several miscarriages.
One day they get a knock on the door; it is the police delivering shocking news. They have Park's DNA and they state it was discovered at Beverly Cooke’s murder scene. Everyone is well aware that Beverly has been missing for months. The police then follow up with the actually DNA and state that it isn’t directly Park’s DNA but that of his child.
This, of course, is very difficult to deal with as Olivia and Park do not have children. Olivia fears the worst of Park
However, Park reveals that while attending graduate school he was a sperm donor; turns out his sperm was used countless times, and he has sired a large number of children.

Story now turns to the children who are having their own DNA tested and are finding out they have many siblings. Beverly Cooke and a group of other women including Darby Flynn who used the sperm bank have a private group.
Darby has two children Scarlett and Peyton both via a sperm donor. Scarlett has always been curious about her father and is one of the children who had her DNA tested and asked to be contacted when other sibling were reached. They discover they are the children of sperm donor Park. They are in secret contact and call themselves ‘The Halves’ - they don’t use their real names and communicate on Discord.
They now realize that the murderer ~ is one of them!
soooo ~
Who is the child committing these crimes?

Story told from multiple POVs
The Husband (Park), The Wife (Olivia), The Detectives (Joey and Osley), The Daughter (Scarlett), The Brother (Perry), The Mother (Darby) and The Murderer!
It appears our murderer has MAO-A (Monoamine oxidase A) which is associated with a variety of psychiatric disorders (although not really accurate is usually known as ‘The ‘Murder Gene’). Reminded me of the novel
"Defending Jacob".

Story is a page turner I had to force myself to stop last night at bedtime. I tend to read fast when it gets exciting and I then find I have to reread. SO decided I needed a somewhat cool clear head to finishing this story!

I always enjoy reading the author’s note as well as the Acknowledgements ~ usually always gives us readers the inside scoop and the motivation for the story.
In this case, both the Author’s Note and Acknowledgements are stories in themselves.
Ms. Ellison tells us a personal side. ~ Be sure to read!!!


Want to thank NetGalley and Harlequin Trade ~MIRA Books for granted me the pleasure of reading this early WOW uncorrected proof.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for February 28, 2023

J.T. Ellison once again does not disappoint with an edge-of-your-seat psychological thriller about a serial killer conceived through a sperm donation - but which child is it...it's one of at least 28!!! Great book and great concept.

All the stars for It’s One of Us. This book starts out with a bang and doesn’t let up. J.T. Ellison is an auto buy author for me and I’ve never been disappointed Be sure and add to your TBR.

Olivia and Park want nothing more than to get pregnant, but their attempts have proved unsuccessful thus far. Everything Olivia thinks she knows about Park is thrown into chaos when DNA evidence at a crime scene is shown to be that of Park's child. Her husband's status as a previous sperm donor comes to light, as do his many progeny in this fast-paced twisty tale. Fans of psychological suspense will enjoy it.

This was a thrilling and suspenseful read. The main character, Olivia, is struggling with fertility issues. Her husband may not be the man she thinks he is. Everyone has their secrets...right? Those secrets become compounded -- and complicated -- when there are messy love triangles, murder, and a myriad of mysteries involved. What really makes someone a villain -- and who is the villain here? You'll have to read it to find out!

I like the idea of a thriller about an interior designer, but unfortunately the rest of the plot is too similar to other thrillers I've read recently: Secluded Cabin Sleeps Six and The Match.

Thanks for the digital review copy.

I am a huge fan of stories that are told from multiple points of view. It's One of Us by J.T. Ellison does just that, and it did not disappoint. The story follows Olivia and her husband Park, who are trying (and failing) to conceive a child. One day, they learn that there has been a murder, and Park's child is a suspect. But wait...Olivia and Park don't have any children! This is when Olivia learns that Park donated sperm when he was younger, and has fathered several children, one of whom is a suspect for a murder. This book kept me on my toes the entire time. It was full of suspense and just when I thought I had it figured out, there would be another twist. Fantastic writing!

I have really grown to enjoy J.T. Ellison's books. This one is packed full of twisting shocks and twists that will blow your mind. It focuses on a woman's struggle with infertility and a secret that she keeps that would upend her family and her life and ultimately ends up doing that. This one was a good read and kept me on the edge of my seat. It was a bit strange due to some of the subject matter but was overall a good book.

I thought It’s One of Us was a very interesting book. The hook of the story is that a woman has been murdered. While investigating the murder, the police discover that the likely perpetrator has familial DNA of a local man. The police arrive and discover that this man did not know he had any children! The characters were interesting and mostly believable , and I enjoyed the novel. Some actions in the novel seemed so unrealistic that it took me out of the book.