The One

The unputdownable psychological thriller

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Pub Date 04 May 2017 | Archive Date 22 May 2017

Description

Soon to be a major Netflix Original series and perfect for fans of Caroline Kepnes's You.
HOW FAR WOULD YOU GO TO FIND THE ONE?

A no 1 EBook bestseller and featured on Simon Mayo's Radio 2 book club. Perfect for fans of TM Logan's Lies and C.L. Taylor's The Fear.

One simple mouth swab is all it takes. A quick DNA test to find your perfect partner – the one you’re genetically made for.

A decade after scientists discover everyone has a gene they share with just one other person, millions have taken the test, desperate to find true love. Now, five more people meet their Match. But even soul mates have secrets. And some are more shocking – and deadlier – than others...

*****

With over 600 5* reviews, this is what real readers are saying about this addictive, page-turning thriller:

'I just couldn't stop reading'

'Brilliant twists that I didn't see coming'

'One of the most gripping stories I've read for a long while'

'I was hooked and didn't want it to end'

(Note: Previously published as A Thousand Small Explosions)

Soon to be a major Netflix Original series and perfect for fans of Caroline Kepnes's You.
HOW FAR WOULD YOU GO TO FIND THE ONE?

A no 1 EBook bestseller and featured on Simon Mayo's Radio 2 book club...


Available Editions

EDITION Other Format
ISBN 9781785035623
PRICE £8.99 (GBP)
PAGES 368

Average rating from 228 members


Featured Reviews

This is the 3rd book I've read by John Marrs and once again he has created an original and thought provoking storyline centred around finding your perfect DNA match via a website. Following 5 individuals quest to find their perfect match, each story is full of love, sadness, hope and humour with the inevitable Marrs twist thrown in. I found this gripping and a real page turner, my heart was pounding at particular places and I really didn't know where each chapter would take me. 5 big fat stars from me.

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This book has got everything that you would expect from John Marrs. He makes the unbelievable believable. There are three different elements to the book crime, romance and science fiction. There are five main characters and each have there own story which leads to a nail biting cliff hanger at the end of each chapter. I can highly recommend this book I loved it.

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This book, wow! I have been in a real book slump lately and this took me right out of it. Amazing concept and kept me reading as I couldn't put it down. I didn't see any of the twists coming. I was gasping the whole way through. Just brilliant!

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This is absolutely one of the best books I have read this year!
It was exquisitely well written (I'd expect nothing less from the genius that is John Marrs)
I will be purchasing this book at least 3 times when it is released, one for my own shelf, and 2 others for people I know would LOVE this book as much as I have.
Highly recommended

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Loved loved loved this book! May be one of the best books I've read this year!

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Loved, Loved, Loved this book, I can not rate it highly enough!. You start this book with one opinion and finish it with another. The characters are superb, the story blew me away and it is original, what more could you ask me for.

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The One has to be one of the best books I have read recently, no, scratch that it's the most enthralling absorbing book I've read this year.
The story involves 5 different people and what happens to each of them as their DNA is matched to their perfect partner. Each chapter deals with each individual, when I finished a chapter I wanted it to continue but as soon as I started the next I eagerly continued.
This is a stomper of a page turner, all through the book as each characters relationship develops you're drawn more and more into wanting to know how it's all going to end. I loved the endings, but was still left wondering about one...no spoilers but I would of liked a little clue Mr Marrs!
I'm now off to purchase more of this authors work and ensure I recommend this book to everyone.
Thank you net galley and publisher for a copy of this book to review, but above all thank you John Marrs for the entertainment and satisfaction one feels after a truly great read.

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This was my first John Marrs book and after hearing all the hype about this book I just had to read it. I loved the concept of a DNA match to find your soulmate, I also loved all the different characters even Christopher I could understand although I did not like all his choices. Even though I liked the concept of finding your soulmate with a DNA test I don't think I will try this if something like this would become available. We are responsible for our own happiness and every relationship is not moonshine and roses and needs a lot of work for it to succeed. Great writing with a lot of strange characters that would go to great lengths to get what they want.
I love it when a male writes about females and get the thought and emotional processes of females just right.
I'm looking forward to reading more of John Marrs in the future. I think The Match would also have been a great name for this book.

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I loved this book...was wanting to skip chapters to find out what happened next to the characters but didn't want to miss anything..brilliantly written and really captured me from beginning to end!!!

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Bloody good read! Thank you net galley- I read it in 24 hours-less if you count sleeping for 8 hours!

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Absolutely brilliant! Very easy to read, and one that won't be put down until you've read the final page.

What if love wasn't as simple as two people getting together - what if you could have a Match which is predestined by your DNA and then connect with the perfect partner? For the price of £9.99, what could possibly go wrong?

We follow 5 separate stories of couples who have been Matched, and the twists and turns of their relationships. It's incredibly well plotted, suspenseful and very, very well written. Highly recommended.

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The One by John Marrs

This is one of those mythical books, the ones on the lips of everyone; the book all the “right” people are talking about! (I had heard so much about it from the hallowed halls of The Book Club on Facebook that it was impossible to ignore this opportunity to read it under it’s New Title from Publisher Del Ray/ Ebury Publishing.)

It is a premise so fresh, vibrant and relevant and yet it also seems strange that the simplicity of the idea of love truly being determined by chemicals at a cellular level has not been used before! It is genius and it gripped me by the throat and clung on from the start.

“The One” maps the stories of Five souls whose soulmate has been matched by DNA rather than the more hit and miss efforts of dating sites, speed dating or random meetings. That match is so accurate that traditional couples are being decimated as individuals discover their partners may not be those that biology dictates are their perfection and bliss.

It is really a collection of Five stories of connections unexplainable and yet utterly compelling and undeniable. From simple beginnings these relationships twist and turn as frequently as the Maze at Hampton Court Palace. Not a trace of trope or stereotype in the bunch.

The Characterisation is beautiful , each and every person has a unique set of flaws and strengths, some infinitely more likeable than others, but even the most inhuman is relatable if not easy to empathise with.

I liked the fact that despite what might seem the finality of scientific fact that it is human emotions and frailty that really sends the story ricocheting off into such satisfyingly unexpected directions. Love ultimately is not linear or easily categorised even with the brightest minds trying to make it so.

I enjoyed “The One” immensely,the blend of psychological thriller, honest to goodness Romance, and yearnings of other kinds was a perfect concoction that was gripping from first page to last. As this was my first book by Mr Marrs I can make no comparisons, but on the strength of this experience I feel duty bound to seek out more.

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The One: I have previously read John Marrs other books and absolutely loved them both. So, I was delighted to be able to read The One before its publication in 2017. Well it certainly 'matched' up to and exceeded what I thought this book would be like. Loved it, loved it, loved it from the first page and didn't want it to end. Undoubtedly one to recommend. My thanks to the publisher & NetGalley for the advance reader copy in exchange for my honest review.

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Wow, this was an incredible book, and I don't think I drew breath until I had finished it! It was a stunning, complex, multi-faceted read, and my first John Marrs book. I doubt it will be my last though!

Such an interesting idea - you can find out who your perfect match is by way of a simple DNA test. If you had the opportunity to do it, would you? That is the million dollar question though. Would you take it if you had been happily married for decades? How far would you go to be with your Match?

This book goes into the stories of 5 people who take the test, 5 very different people, all in different phases of their lives. The beauty of this book is that it starts off quite gently and you get to know the characters, their lives and the people in their lives. And then, bit by bit, the book ramps up until you are on a rollercoaster that is going very fast and all you can do is hang onto the sides and enjoy the ride.

Highly recommended read from me!

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book. Thank you to Del Rey Publishing and to the author for crafting a book that was SO real, I ended up doing a bit of a Google search after I had finished the book. It also took me two days to write this review, as I was still processing what I had read. THAT, to me, is the mark of a 5 star book :)

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This book was bloody brilliant and i loved it - can you tell!
If you had the chance to take a DNA test to find your perfect match - well would you? Or do you think it should be left to fate? That's the question the people in this book face.
Initially you are introduced to a few characters who are all telling their own story - i was worried there were too many people to keep tabs on but that definitely was not the case. Some of these people are in relationships, some are single and some just had other plans. We follow these 5 folk as they follow there own route to finding their perfect match. This however is no love story! This may be about dating but it is so much more - it is a gripping read and i really cannot tell you why. You must must read it!!!!

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Shona's review 5 of 5 stars

I've heard nothing but great things about this book (both under its current title and its previous one) and I'll be honest I was a little wary about all the hype surrounding it. I needn't have worried. I initially picked this book to keep me occupied on a car journey, but when I reached my destination I found I was completely hooked, so much so that I read 'just one more chapter' and when I looked at the clock 2 hours had passed. In the end I just couldn't bear to put my kindle down so I did the only logical thing and I finished the book.

The One follows several couples as they learn about their Match, and follows them over the course of several months as their relationships develop. But none of these relationships are quite what they initially seem and they will all have you second guessing everyone.

This is the first time i have read anything by Marrs, but if this is his standard of work I will definitely be looking at his other works.

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If this is the last book I read in 2016 I will have finished on a high. All I can say is wow! When people tell you how good a book is it can often be an anticlimax, but not in this case. The premise is so clever - a gene has been discovered which matches people with 'The One' person they are completely compatible with. Once these matches meet they feel a thousand small explosions and they want to be together forever. Throw into the mix a psychotic serial killer, and you have a recipe for success. I didn't want the book to end. I'd love to read a sequel.

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The One by John Marrs is a novel set apart from the rest in its psychological thriller genre. Focusing on today's digitally-ruled society, it captures the danger of a world in which people choose to share every tiny detail about themselves and the lives that they live, leading to consequences they couldn't have imagined. Exciting, addictive, and enticing, The One is superbly plotted with shocking surprises around every corner, and characters whose lives you instantly become involved in. The circumstances which arise for these characters only suck you into the novel more and it becomes impossible to put the book down once you get started on their individual journeys towards what they hope will be true love. It's safe to say that I completely devoured this book. I couldn't get enough, and I felt that it resonated so entirely correctly with today's way of life, especially when it comes to dating. It's a clever novel, one which provokes many ideas and thoughts throughout, and it really makes you wonder, 'just how safe are we?'.

In The One, the world has taken a huge leap forward in terms of love, romance and relationships. No longer are people left to search for their soul-mates alone. Oh no! Scientists have discovered a gene which genetically links people together, resulting in happy, secure relationships benefiting the couple in more ways than one. For those already in happy and secure relationships, the temptation to see their match is often too much to ignore, resulting in breakdowns and divorces worldwide. But hey, if it's all in aid of finally being with your one true love, then what's the problem, right?

Marr's introduces readers to a small and select group of characters whose separate journeys we follow throughout the novel. From Mandy and Ellie, to Christopher and Nick, these characters are all in completely unique situations with the results from their DNA matching scattering them in different directions. I have to admit that at first, I found it rather tricky trying to get these characters separated in my mind, but with the snippy sized chapters it became easy and thoroughly enjoyable to do so, and it wasn't long before I felt as if I knew each of them inside out.

As I mentioned above, there was always something to look forward to with every new chapter. Marrs always seemed to finish his chapters with something deliciously teasing, leaving me desperate to find out what happened next. I raced through the pages and found myself feeling breathless at times because it was just so damn exciting. There were shocks and surprises aplenty, most of which I had no idea were coming, and so many twists and turns, it was exhilarating. People who I didn't suspect capable of turning this novel on its head did exactly that, and when the final truth was eventually revealed, I was left with a feeling of disbelief heavy in my chest. Marrs took me on such a thrilling and intoxicating journey throughout The One, and already I cannot wait to see what the author has in store for his readers next.

Becca's Books is awarding The One by John Marrs with five of my bookish cupcakes. A novel so fitting in today's society. It really makes you think hard about what life would be like if something like this actually happened. I spent a lot of time after I'd finished just sitting back and thinking, and I truly love it when a novel does that to you.

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Every so often a book comes along that simply blows my mind. This was one of those books. I read so many thrillers that I am starting to see a lot of repetition story-wise so, when I see something as unique (for me anyway) as this, I know I have to read it cos, as long as it is delivered right, I just know I am going to love it.
So, a DNA test can find your perfect partner. Yay for singletons, that'll make the dating game relatively easier for sure. Not so good I'd imagine for those already coupled up / married / whatever... That would throw up all manner of questions. Am I with the right person? Is there someone better than him/her out there for me? Am I happy with what I already have? Do I need change? How accurate is it anyway, I've done OK so far? What if this person is incompatible to me physically, mentally, morally? So many questions...
This book follows five people as they embark on this journey of discovery. Five very different stories all putting a unique spin on this little DNA test. There were a lot of characters to get to grips with quickly but, although I am usually rubbish at following a big cast and tend to get confused, I wasn't here. I would put that down to the skill of the author's characterisation. I also think that short punchy chapters helped as we were never away from any of the threads for very long, revisiting in rotation as their storylines weaved about the book. Cliff hanger endings didn't hurt either although they are not my favourite thing in the world. Write good stories well and you don't have to blackmail me into reading on! And, as already mentioned, this story IS good and it IS well written. Plotting is tight, pacing is good, characters feel real. It's also a book that can be read on different levels. You can read it merely at face value or you can take the time to sit back and think about some of the moral/ethical/ etc things raised within it - obviously after you finish reading cos it's too good to put down for thinkie things and anyway, you may find your questions answered by the end!
I think that there is so much else going on in this book that less is more with this review. I also don't think there is a need to sell it to other reader with anything other than - "Read this book, it's brilliant!"
I have already read and enjoyed The Wronged Sons, also by this author, I do have Welcome To Wherever You Are on my TBR. I can see that being bumped up and read soon.

My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

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Wow...
Wow, wow, WOW.
In case you were in any doubt, I was pretty impressed by this book: nominally a crime thriller, but so much more.
The setting is sort-of-now, but a DNA test to find your one match in the world is available. The impacts of this possibility on individuals, existing relationships, society and world governments are explored as we follow a number of specific people and the people in their lives. I won't go into any more detail to avoid spoilers but I could talk about this for hours - it is truly fascinating. And a proper nail-biting experience at times as well!
Even before twists that I could not predict had started to appear, I was thinking that this is one of the best books I'd read in a considerable time. I'll be recommending it to everyone I know and hope that you'll take a look too. READ IT NOW!

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What would you do if there was a way to discover the person you were destined to spend the rest of your life with? Would you want to find out? Would you be willing to risk everything - your way of life, your family, life as you know it, maybe even a commitment you've already made - just to be with this person?

Those are the questions THE ONE by John Marrs asks, and answers.

Told in rotating points of view by five different characters who have all been matched with their ONE true mate through a simple DNA swab, Marrs takes us through a cleverly crafted series of events and emotions for each character.

Mandy, NIck, Christopher, Jade, and Ellie are as diverse as people can possibly be, yet all yearn to find the one person on the planet who will love them unconditionally and for all time. With MATCH YOUR DNA.com, they do.

Or do they?

I hate spoilers, so you need to read the book to get that answer, but I will tell you this: this read is sosososo worth your while.

We live in an era where a simple cheek swab can tell you a million things about your heritage, your health, even your predilections to disease. But what if that same DNA could be matched with the one person on earth who is your true mate? We drop dollars by the bucketful to find out who are ancestors are. Would we be willing to shell out a chunk of cash to discover what our future could look like?

Ask yourself this: if you've already found the person you think you're going to spend eternity with, would you chance that decision not being the correct one by taking the test? And what would you do if you found out you weren't after all, with the right person? Would you leave them? Stick with them knowing in the back of your mind there was someone "out there" who could fulfill every want and need you have? That's heady stuff and Marrs explores it expertly.
I'm giving this book 5 well-deserved stars because it made me think, entertained me, mystified me, and in the end, solidified in my mind what this whole DNA-learning industry can do right --and wrong.

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Wow, a big fat five stars! Loved this! Superb story lines, what an amazingly fresh concept. To think that a simple test can sort ones love life out! Sounds simple right?! WRONG, it can and does cause all sorts of problems. Just when I thought I knew where this was going, I was pleasantly surprised with another twist. This is my first John Marrs read and it's left me wanting more!

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The One is a fantastically written book, keeping you on the edge of your seat with every chapter, I truly could not put this book down, well written a really great read.

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This was the first book I've read from this author, and won't be the last. I was completely gripped from the start.

I loved the concept (quite imaginable), and the way that the different characters and threads of the story were woven together - part thriller, part serial killer investigation and part romance, this ticks a lot of boxes and is sure to appeal to the Tinder generation. I really couldn't put it down!

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I'm absolutely buzzing about this book and I'm sure this one will create a whole lot more buzz in the next few months. How come I'd never heard of this author before? I can put it down in three words: he's brilliant! The One is such a different read than what I'm used to but it's still entirely my genre. I had already heard great things about this book, which made me even more sceptical really, but I readily agree that this book will most probably be hyped, if it's not already. This is my first 5 star rating in 2017 because I've actually binge-read this one.

It's no wonder I devoured these pages because the chapters were kept very short, only a few pages before alternating to one of the other timelines of the 5 different people featured in this novel. This clever approach made me feel I had to keep turning these pages to know more.

So 5 people in this book signed up and found their match and all of their stories were diverse but equally interesting. From the start in chapter 1 I was - quite blithely - thinking I'd have a bit of a laugh with the whole concept but by chapter 3 I was already entirely captured by the events. There's the eternal singleton, the career woman who never stays in a relationship because men focus on her wealth or status more than her after a while, there's even a couple who tries it out to see if they really are a match. They all receive an answer who their match is and believe me when I tell you that the people they are matched with turn out to be very different than expected. Every single one of these stories take very surprising turns. That's the understatement of the year! I almost have to bite my tongue here not to share more because nobody knows how much I want to!

Oh yes and then there's also, as one of the people followed throughout this novel, Christopher. He's actually a ruthless serial killer and out of sheer curiosity he also seeks out his match. His match is not a weak woman he can simply toy with just as long as he likes before killing her if you're thinking that. His match is also his equal so this will prove quite a challenge.

You might think that the serial killer thread would be the most interesting one, sticking out among the other threads but I can assure you that the other storylines were just as engaging and not a single one of the different endings was predictable.

The end of this book proved to be quite thought-provoking too. After you've finished this book you are bound to think about the question: would you take the test? Do you want to know who your match is?

I don't know how but this book just worked its magic on me. Highly recommended read!

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I loved this book. In fact I resented having to put it down to go to a party!! Would you like to meet your DNA match? How much would it control or change your life? Can you really only find happiness with, "The One?" The book follows 5 characters,, Nick, Ellie, Christopher' Jade and Mandy. I enjoyed exploring all their stories. In fact it was hard to put the book down because as soon as one chapter ended I wanted to start the next. Totally different to anything I've read and can see this becoming a great film. Well done John Mars, a fabulous read.

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This was a book that stayed glued to my hands, I really was so enthralled with not only the superb writing but the plot.
What an original high quality top marks concept of a wonderfully woven story.

It's unlike any story that I've read before, so, this is so going to be remembered by me in the future as it stands out because of it.

Falling in love.
Seems straight forward.
Attraction, like, emotions, appeal.

Not in this book!

What if there was really a Mr Right or Mrs Right for you somewhere in this big wide world, doesn't take in race, creed, religion, looks, where in the world you lived, age or even sexual orientation?
That there is a genetic match......just for you.


Would you get tested even if you already had a partner? Just to see if they were genetically matched with you?
Oh heck, what if they weren't.

Each chapter took on several chapters individually and as couples.

The chapters would read overlap to the next making it such a fantastic experience as a reader keeping abreast with individuals.

This really has a thumbs up from me. I loved it.

Thank you to Random House Ebury for my advanced copy to enjoy.

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Wow! This book has so many twists and turns I nearly put my back out!

It is a very up to the minute and original book with characters you can relate to. If you want a can't put it down read then this is THE ONE!

I highly recommend it!

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Imagine if your DNA held the secret to your ideal partner? The world has divided into those lucky enough to have a match and those who are still having to use the old-fashioned approaches. The author has partitioned the action among a few different characters until the whole premise is put into question. Dark and amusing and a good read.

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"The One," follows five individuals who have been Matched with their perfect partner via a DNA analysis website. The chapters alternate between the five stories and the beauty of this novel is that each of the narratives have an intriguing plot and have characters that you really connect with. There are lots of cliff-hangers throughout the novel and I found myself reading several chapters longer than I anticipated as I wanted to find out what happened next. Although I guessed some of the twists along the way, it didn't really matter as there were so many of them and throughout it felt entirely believable. I would highly recommend this novel.

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First I just want to specify that there will be no spoilers in my review, so read at will!

Thank you very much to NetGalley for facilitating, and to Ebury Publishing for allowing me to read this book in exchange for a review. And finally, a big thank you to John Marrs for keeping me thoroughly entertained (and now very tired) through his wonderful writing!

When I read the description of this book I thought "yeah, ok... interesting concept... I'll buy into this." And requested the ARC for this.

The style of writing is so easy to follow - it's not poetic, imagery filled creative writing, it's very conversational and so feels natural reading it. I hope people know what I mean by that. Sometimes books are so "beautifully written" that it becomes hard to follow the story because you're taken on many detours around the dictionary before a point is made. Whilst that's beautiful, it does make a relatively short story a hell of a lot longer! This does nothing like that. Every page is filled with relevant plot twists and character background. So when you read this book it is actually entirely the story you wanted to read. Like when you order a chicken korma and wonder how much chicken you'll actually get - this is all meat.

The concept of this book is a very interesting one and one that perhaps at face value, the implications of such a discovery do not surface. But if (like me) you spent a lot of time thinking about books between reading sprees you'll be thinking a lot about what this would actually mean in the far corners of our lives if it were reality. It was very very thought provoking and I liked that. For a book that I could easily "consume", this was surprisingly intelligent. Usually the meaty books are also the trashy "holiday" books. Not this one.

I loved loved loved each character and their unique situation. And although it's now a very common method of story telling, the flipping-between-characters-each-chapter thing was perfect for this book. It kept me up until 1am because "oh... I'll just see what happens to Ellie and then I'll put it down..." I couldn't actually choose a favourite character/storyline because they all gripped me completely. Although some were predictable endings, that only added to the juiciness of their predicaments because I knew they were making mistakes/slipping/misjudging themselves before they'd worked it out. I wish I'd had more time with each of them but their stories ended in the perfect place.

And do you know, I actually really applaud John for managing to include sexuality as a genetic marker rather than a "choice" within his book. Fair play for managing to get it in there and handle the confusion and heartache so delicately. Especially when you put that in contrast with killing being a choice and NOT a genetic trait. Well played and impressively handled.

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This is the first 5 star review I've done in a while and I can't recommend this book enough,I thoroughly enjoyed it.I am tired today because I stayed up way too late last night to finish this book, and I don't care one bit, because it was so good.I like the short chapters alternating between the characters it makes for an easy reading style for me at least and keeps me interested and wanting to read just one more chapter, then another one... I don't think I would want to take a DNA test to see if I could find my perfect match I think some things are best left to nature but its a fascinating read to see what happens when the characters in this book take the DNA test it doesn't always go to plan,and I'm not spoiling the story by saying anymore, you are in for a treat, hope you enjoy the book as much as I did.thanks to Netgalley and the Publishers for an ARC in return for an honest review.

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This is an absolutely brilliant book! Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read it as an arc. A new dating agency has been developed, one which matches potential couples through their DNA. As you can imagine the consequences are explosive! It is a difficult book to describe, it is a story of relationships and betrayals, partly a thriller with a bit of science thrown in the mix. Five individual stories are played out within the book and you are desperate to find out just what happens to them. Quite an emotional book, also one that makes keeps you turning the pages to find out what on earth is going on. Difficult to define but a fantastic read that I would highly recommend.

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Oh my..this book sucked me in hook, line and sinker! Lots of small stories around the characters and you just can't imagine where the story is going. A fantastic read!

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Wow! What a concept! A DNA test can match you to your soul mate - what happens if you are already in a relationship? What if you are matched to the same sex? What if the other person is across the other side of the world? What if you are matched to a serial killer? This book tells you. It follows five character, alternating character each chapter - which I know some people won't like - but it worked. You were given snapshots in to each of their lives as their own personal story unfolds. I liked four out of the five (even the serial killer!) - I didn't like Ellie but there again I am not sure you are meant to - I did sorta feel sorry for her at a point but you know, some characters you like some not so much! I loved Nick's story - I wanted more! I had a soft spot for sweet gullible Mandy too, again another chapter on her would have been great. Jade redeemed herself and wasn't such a brat as you first think. I really enjoyed this book and couldn't put it down - wanting to get on and see what happened as there were certainly a lot of twists and turns along the way.

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It isn’t often that I want to give a book more than 5 stars, but this book is one of them! I just loved reading this book, from the very start to finish it was enjoyable to read and interesting and thought provoking.

The story is told from the point of view of a decent number of characters, alternating with each chapter. At first, I found it difficult as I’m not very good at remembering character names when there are so many being introduced but I soon got into it and sucked into the story.

The premise is great, a quick and simple DNA test that will tell you, assuming that they have also been tested, The One, your soulmate and the person that sparks will fly when you meet. It sounds good, doesn’t it? But of course nothing is that simple.

Often when a book follows different people like this some of the stories are better than others, but in this case I found every character and storyline enjoyable, interesting and intriguing. Sure, I had my favourite, but they were all good and well told.

The author has done a great job weaving the story together and it really was a joy to read. I started off pretty sure that I would take the DNA test, but now I’m not so sure! And who knows, maybe one day such a test will exist. Actually, that is really quite a scary thought.

I received a copy of The One by John Marrs from Netgalley but was under no obligation to provide a review. All thoughts are my own.

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Loved this one. Flew through it. Original, engaging and thoroughly satisfying.

The premise of the book is that it has been discovered that everybody shares a gene with one person in the world and this person is your perfect match. The woman who discovered this sets up a company which is more or less the worlds biggest dating agency. With a simple swab of the mouth you can be entered into the database and if and when your genetic match is found you will be notified and you can pay a fee to find out the details of your match and pursue it yourself.

The story is five stories in one as we follow five different relationships as a result of the match, all unrelated, told in short chapter form, jumping from one to the other on chapter to chapter. At first I found this quite confusing as I was(what felt like)bombarded with characters in the first few chapters. As said they are unrelated so I did find it confusing at the start(I'm hopeless with remembering a lot of characters) but it was short lived. After a couple of chapters of each character,I could easily remember who is who. The characters were very clearly written and well rounded and it made it easy to slip from one story to another in each and every chapter. In fact I loved the format. Th book zipped along. The short chapters were great and suited the format of five concurrent stories perfectly.

The book is brilliant. It's a mix of thriller, sci fi, romance, drama! It poses some pertinent questions while never being anything but entertaining. Of course the perfect match is never as straight forward as we think and even here with what should be a copperfast "happy ever after" tool, the genetic match, nothing is straight forward.

An absolute pleasure to read, I haven't read a novel quite like it. I kept thinking this has a movie or tv show written all over it. It would be perfect. All the characters are still vivid in my head hours after finishing the book. I would really recommend grabbing a copy of this and going on the five journeys the author brings you on and enjoy every one of them.

I would like to thank NetGalley, Penguin Random House UK and John Marrs for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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The One surprised me a lot. The plot sounded intriguing, but having never read anything from Marrs before, I wasn't sure what to expect. However, I LOVED this book. The plot, the narrative and the way each persons story flawlessly seemed to just fit all added to the reason why this book is one of my favourites from 2017.

The basic premise of the story is that there's a new dating site that has taken the world by storm - it finds your genetic Match by analysing your DNA and pairing you with the only other person in the world who shares the specific type of DNA. The format of the story is a multi-perspective narrative, as we learn about five peoples journey as they take the DNA test, are given their Match and the subsequent stories following on from this.

As with all multi-perspective stories, I enjoyed some more than others, but they each reached a point where they shocked me and I was intrigued to find out what was going to happen. Marrs ended each chapter with a single sentence that kept us gripped and eagerly reading on four more chapters until we could find out what was going on in that particular characters life again. Each character had their stories and their personalities built up so well that I felt them come alive each time I reached their story. I often struggle with multi-perspective stories as I lose track of who is who, but these characters were so well developed, I could easily follow the multiple characters and enjoyed reading each and every one.

With so much going on, none of the stories were predictable, which is my favourite part about psychological thrillers. I would highly recommend reading this book. It wasn't cliched or far-fetched, it was simply an excellent read from an author I'm now a big fan of.

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This is an excellent read. I was expecting a thriller though it really isn't one, more a romantic suspense crime drama with a little bit of sci-fi, and there are some dark, gruesome bits to balance the romantic stuff. While there is some (often dark) humour it is certainly not a comedy, as there is a fair bit of sadness too.

A gene has been discovered that links people to their one any only true match (the little bit of sci-fi), but is it really that easy to meet 'The One' and live happily ever after?

There are lots of little twists and turns along the way, many of which I saw coming, but this is a totally brilliant and highly entertaining book.

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This book's USP is that it is so totally relatable that it is terrifying. One step beyond comuter matching, this alt-reality of a similar timeframe has a scientist developing an almost 100% accurate 'mate matching' test based on DNA.
The science tells the reader that there is a person with your name on, somewhere in the world and when you meet that person a chemical and biological reaction to that match will be undeniable.
Excellent then, no more wasting time looking for the 'One' when a simple mouth swab will connect you. Saves time, money, and cuts straight to the chase.
But...and here's where it gets terrifying and engaging, is love a chemical reaction? Can you boil that attraction down to genomes and where in the world of ethics and morals does spontaneity fit ? What if your match is decades older/younger/already married or not signed up for it?
What this book has are multiple character narratives, skilfully woven with some cracking cliffhanging chapter ends, from male and female perspectives.
The couple about to get married who do the test to confirm they have made the right choice. But what will the results show?
The woman desperate for a family, but how far will she go to get one?
The scientist who invented the test, will she meet her match?
The woman who travels half way around the world to meet her 'match' and gets a horrible awakening?
Oh, and a serial killer in the midst of this, just to shake things up a bit....
I really cannot recommend this book enough, it flies along at lightning speed, totally engaging and readable.
I loved it.

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