The One

This title was previously available on NetGalley and is now archived.
Buy on Amazon Buy on BN.com Buy on Bookshop.org
*This page contains affiliate links, so we may earn a small commission when you make a purchase through links on our site at no additional cost to you.
Send NetGalley books directly to your Kindle or Kindle app

1
To read on a Kindle or Kindle app, please add kindle@netgalley.com as an approved email address to receive files in your Amazon account. Click here for step-by-step instructions.
2
Also find your Kindle email address within your Amazon account, and enter it here.
Pub Date Jun 27 2023 | Archive Date May 01 2023

Talking about this book? Use #TheOne #NetGalley. More hashtag tips!


Description

To save their marriage, Sloane must forgive her husband’s affair. Instead, she tries a more tempting option—settling the score. But will it prove to be a deadly mistake?

ER doctor Sloane Marks is shattered when she learns her husband Ethan slept with his partner at Seattle Homicide. She considers leaving him and joining The One, having gone to college with the popular dating app’s billionaire founder, Brody Carr. But at forty-two, Sloane feels she has no choice but to forgive Ethan if she wants a chance at creating the family she never had.

Months later, Sloane bumps into Brody, who’s recently returned to Seattle. In due time, Ethan worries she’s cheating. His suspicions are confirmed when he learns the rich app founder took Sloane on a freediving excursion in the San Juan Islands. When Brody’s famous wife dies in an accident, Ethan becomes the lead investigator in her death—which he suspects wasn’t an accident at all.

Caught between a distrusting husband and a powerful billionaire who protects his secrets at all costs, Sloane is in a fight for her life. And the only way out is to take matters into her own hands.

To save their marriage, Sloane must forgive her husband’s affair. Instead, she tries a more tempting option—settling the score. But will it prove to be a deadly mistake?

ER doctor Sloane Marks is...


Advance Praise

"An eerily insidious read that simmers with unease until it boils over with an unexpected and terrifying reveal...With sinister revelations and an unrelenting sense of foreboding, THE ONE should be at the top of your summer reading list!" - Kiersten Modglin, bestselling author of The Arrangement

"An eerily insidious read that simmers with unease until it boils over with an unexpected and terrifying reveal...With sinister revelations and an unrelenting sense of foreboding, THE ONE should be...


Available Editions

ISBN 9781737360773
PRICE $4.99 (USD)

Available on NetGalley

NetGalley Shelf App (EPUB)
Send to Kindle (EPUB)
Download (EPUB)

Average rating from 84 members


Featured Reviews

This book had it all! It had suspense, intrigue, action, cheating, murder, maybe a serial killer? A kind of a who done it, the main characters have a bit of a disturbed way of looking at life lol! The storyline was very interesting and kept me glued to my Kindle! I definitely recommend reading this book! don't miss out on this one it was well worth reading! Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!

Was this review helpful?

Ethan has a one night stand with his work partner. Sloane wants to get even, and bumps into Brody, who was at college with her, and has become a billionaire thanks to the dating app he created.
Brody is separated from his model wife, and when Sloane is on duty in the ER, Brody's wife is brought in after drowning during a dive. Sloane is the doctor that pronounces her dead.
The death is treated as suspicious, and Ethan is on the case.

Wow, this is a stunningly addictive novel! I started it and could not put it down till I finished it in the early hours of the morning.
It is very fast paced, and the reader just has to see what happens next.
I can't say I like many of the characters, and was surprised with the epilogue.
But I do recommend. If you want a thrilling read, pick this up and enjoy it. I did!
Will definitely keep an eye out for other novels by this author!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

After loving her previous books, I was so excited to read this one and it did not disappoint! Full of twists and turns- highly recommend!

Was this review helpful?

When Seattle homicide detective Ethan Marks confesses his brief affair with his partner, his wife, ER physician Sloane Marks, is devastated. She knows she has to learn to trust Ethan again and to ignore his overtime hours and inattention if she wants to make her longtime goal of motherhood a reality. Still wounded by Ethan’s betrayal, she has a chance meeting with her college lab partner. The shy, geeky boy she remembers is now Brody Carr, billionaire creator of a dating app. You know where this is going and you know it is a mistake. What you don’t know is just how big a mistake it will be. Within weeks, Sloane is involved in what may be murder, blackmail, stalking and career ending actions. The only person she can turn to for help is Ethan, her estranged husband. Does he still love her? Or will he sacrifice her to save his own career?

Audrey Cole is at her best! A fast-paced, totally believable domestic thriller, The One is impossible to put down. Sloane Marks is a sympathetic character whose desperation is obvious while Ethan is a victim of some very bad choices. A definite 5 star read!

Thank you to NetGalley, BookGoSocial and Audrey J. Cole for this ARC.

Was this review helpful?

- Love
- Betrayal
-Revenge
The One
This is a brilliant page turning thriller that will keep you guessing while you inch closer the edge of your seat through the twists and turns of Betrayal, Revenge, and Love.

First time reading Audrey J Cole can’t wait to dive into her catalog!

Was this review helpful?

Thank you NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for the copy of The One by Audrey J. Cole. This was a great, fast read. I wasn’t a fan of any of the characters and thought Sloane and Ethan made really bad choices throughout the book. Those choices made for a spellbinding story and I couldn’t wait to see how it turned out. The story was the classic husband cheats, wife cheats to retaliate and gets enmeshed in the death of her lover’s wife. Of course, her lover has dark secrets. Even though I didn’t love the ending, I really enjoyed reading this book. This is a fast and furious read that you shouldn’t miss!

Was this review helpful?

Definitely dark and twisty, will not disappoint fans of psychological thrillers. I found a few parts to be a bit of a slow burn but it still holds your interest all the way through. Loved the character development

Was this review helpful?

Put this on your summer TBR!

This book was so good! Twists and turns galore. While, yes, there were moments of predictability, I couldn’t put it down! I wanted to know exactly how things were going to play out. If you want an easy-to-digest thriller, this is the one for you.

Was this review helpful?

Another amazing story from this gifted author. In this novel, Sloan, an emergency room doctor has a “revenge affair” with a former classmate, and now a super-wealthy techie, to get even with her husband, Ethan, for his straying. When the wife of her new lover dies in a questionable manner, the story moves into high gear. Was it an accident or murder? Was it the techie’s fault, or the doctor who, conveniently for the plot, attempted treatment in the ER, and pronounced the death? Ethan, meanwhile gets assigned to investigate the death since he happens to be a homicide cop.Relationships and trust are tested in many different relationships, and a great story is the result.

Was this review helpful?

I really enjoyed this book. It was fast paced and twisty! It capture my interest very early on and kept my interest through out the entire book.

Was this review helpful?

This is a fast paced book which makes you think about right and wrong and what it means to even the score - including the cost. Plenty to not like in many of the characters, which just made the whole thing more credible. A terrific book.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

When I saw that the author of The Pilot's Daughter and The Final Hunt had a new book coming out, I knew that I had to add it to my TBR list right away! The One by Audrey J. Cole is a twist-filled thriller that you won't be able to put down. The story is told from dual 3rd person POV. Sloane's husband has cheated on her, and she decides to get even by joining a new, trendy dating app called The One. She gets close with the founder of the app, Brody, who she knew in college. But when Brody's wife dies, suddenly, everyone becomes a suspect.

Here is a captivating excerpt from Chapter 1:

"Sloane glances at the closed double doors of her home office as The One loads on her phone. She’s still wearing her scrubs, having been too tired to change when she got home from the hospital. At forty-two, she’s never used a dating app before. It feels weird, and not just because she’s married.
She feels a tingle of apprehension as she taps the JOIN NOW button beneath The One’s bold logo. Beneath it, in red, is their slogan: Real connections. Lasting love. Evelyn assured her after they finished stabilizing a gunshot victim earlier that night that The One wasn’t like other dating apps. Her profile wouldn’t be public and would only be seen by someone the data-driven app found as a potential."

Overall, The One is a twist-filled romantic thriller that will appeal to fans of Kiersten Modglin or Netflix's You. One highlight of this book is how easy to read and follow along it was. I ended up finishing the whole book in 1 sitting! Another highlight of this book is how many twists and turns there were. And the finale was absolutely explosive! If I had to complain about 1 thing, I would say that I skimmed through the flashback scenes, which didn't seem that integral to the plot. If you're intrigued by the excerpt above, or if you're a fan of thrillers in general, I highly recommend that you check out this book when it comes out in June!

Was this review helpful?

Sloane and Ethan have a very rocky relationship throughout this book. It is my usual kind of genre but didn’t feel that it had quite the intensity to make it really great. The other characters that were involved felt real and added a spark to the intrigue and it did keep you guessing where the story was going. A fairly good ending which is important to me, i like how it all worked out.

Thanks to BooksGoSocial and NetGalley for allowing me an advanced copy to read in exchange for an open and honest review. As always, my reviews will also be posted on Amazon, Goodreads and Waterstones and interaction on Facebook and instagram where possible.

Was this review helpful?

The One by Audrey J. Cole is a fast-paced read that had me questioning the ethics of the protagonist at every turn, while at the same time finding empathy for her plight.

Sloane is a doctor whose husband Ethan has cheated on her. Longing for a family of her own and on the wrong side of forty, Sloane considers using a dating app, The One, but isn't expecting to become involved with the app's billionaire founder Brody Carr. When Brody's wife dies in a mysterious accident, Ethan becomes the lead investigator and Sloane finds herself in the fight of her life between two men who are differently motivated by the truth.

I have enjoyed Ms Cole's previous books and could not wait to get my hands on this one. Unfortunately, I felt this latest lacked the propulsive element of the others, though it is still a solid read. I look forward to whatever comes next from this talented author. 3.5 stars

Many thanks to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for an ARC.

Was this review helpful?

Sloane is an ER doctor who is desperate to repair her marriage after her detective husband has an affair with his partner. Reading this book kept me guessing how far she would go to try to fix her marriage. As I read the twists and turns I was not disappointed.

Was this review helpful?

What an incredible thriller book full of twists and turns. This book had it all & if thrillers are your bag, definitely pick this up!

The storyline was so clever and every ounce of detail was vital in the unravelling of events.

Was this review helpful?

ER doctor Sloane is struggling to forgive her husband Ethan, a police officer, for what he did. She is consumed by a kaleidoscope of emotions and the couple's busy careers often keep them apart. They're walking on eggshells at home. Colleagues, friends and family notice something is amiss.

Enter obscenely wealthy Brody Carr, creator of the successful dating app called The One. He had been in Sloane's chemistry lab in college but now in their twenties haven't seen each other for two decades. He and Sloane bump into each other and decide to get together to catch up. Their relationship grows, marriages are compromised and distrust festers. When Brody's wife dies under suspicious circumstances, lives intertwine and also divide. Deceptions are rife. Can Sloane and Ethan possibly connect in support? That ending...wow!

Though not my favourite by this author it is still bright, snappy and quick and ties up the lives of the characters into impossibly twisty situations. My gut was in knots reading it and I had to force myself to slow down to savour each word and nuance. Author Audrey J. Cole is a favourite of mine and one to watch. LOVE her writing and ideas!

Keen for a quick and pacy smart thriller? Take a deep dive into The One.

My sincere thank you to BooksGoSocial and NetGalley for providing me with an early digital copy of this spellbinding novel.

Was this review helpful?

Heart pounding thriller that left me on the edge of my seat. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this one. Definitely one of the best books this year.

Was this review helpful?

To save their marriage, Sloane must forgive her husband’s affair. Instead, she tries a more tempting option—settling the score. But will it prove to be a deadly mistake?

ER doctor Sloane Marks is shattered when she learns her husband Ethan slept with his partner at Seattle Homicide. She considers leaving him and joining The One, having gone to college with the popular dating app’s billionaire founder, Brody Carr. But at forty-two, Sloane feels she has no choice but to forgive Ethan if she wants a chance at creating the family she never had.

Months later, Sloane bumps into Brody, who’s recently returned to Seattle. In due time, Ethan worries she’s cheating. His suspicions are confirmed when he learns the rich app founder took Sloane on a freediving excursion in the San Juan Islands. Soon after, Brody’s famous wife dies in an accident. Ethan becomes the lead investigator in her death, which he suspects wasn’t at accident at all.

Caught between a distrusting husband and a powerful billionaire who protects his secrets at all costs, Sloane is in a fight for her life. And the only way out is to take matters into her own hands.

Sheer perfection. Really enjoyed this story. Will recommend to others.

Was this review helpful?

hanks to Rainier Publishing & NetGalley for an ARC of this book, in exchange for my honest opinion.

First and foremost the entire time I read this book, it appeared in my head like a Lifetime movie! So this is my official request to LMN to please make this book a movie!!

I haven’t devoured a thriller this quickly in a long time, I could not put this book down. It was fast paced and full of suspense, that kept me on the edge of my seat.

Ten years into their marriage, Ethan whose a detective, cheats on his wife Sloane with his partner. Sloane is an ER doctor who can’t move past her husbands infidelity, until a plan hatches in her mind. After bumping into an old college friend named Brody, Sloane decides she’s going to sleep with him so the playing field is even between her and her husband. But shortly after their affair begins, Brody’s wife tragically dies, and Sloane and Ethan both end up wrapped up in her death.

When I tell you this story was not only satisfying, it also had an amazing ending. A happily ever after, in a thriller is rare, and Audrey Cole knocked it out of the park with this one! I can’t wait to read more of her books!

Was this review helpful?

A thrilling tale of a marriage gone wrong following the husbands betrayal, topped by the wife’s attempt for revenge. This story becomes more complex when said wife becomes a murder suspect and the husband happens to be the investigating officer! So good!

Was this review helpful?

I LOVED this book. I have never read a book by Audrey Cole and I’m glad this was my first book of hers to read.. Lots of twists, a little romance, great ending and stayed up late the finish it!

Was this review helpful?

This was wild! My first Audrey J. Cole book, and it certainly won’t be my last!

A detective cheats on his wife. The wife—an ER doc—cheats back to make her husband feel what she felt. She cheats with a college friend-turned-tech-billionaire. And then the billionaire’s wife turns up in her ER, dead. Was it an accident? Are there an incredible number of conflicts of interest throughout the investigation? Who is the real villain? All good questions…read this to find out.

I love a book that involves remote islands. I love a book with a strong female MC. And I love reading about entitled rich people. This book hits all those notes and more.

The characters are both flawed and well-written. The plot is both chaotic and linear. And there’s even a mother-in-law who might be the best one ever written.

Highly recommend this fun thriller! Thank to NetGalley, the author, and BooksGoSocial for a review copy!

Was this review helpful?

Thank you to NetGalley; I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
A very well written & suspenseful book! 4 stars as there were some slow parts and predictable moments (although not many so still very suspenseful). I was fully invested in Sloane’s life and I think all you other thriller lovers out there will be too! Make sure to give it a try, publication date is June 27, 2023! Bonus: it’ll be on KU!

Was this review helpful?

I enjoyed a chance to read a new author.
Book was awesome, characters great and for sure will read other books by this author

Was this review helpful?

#TheOne #NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an E-Arc copy of this novel. It's a good, solid read and definitely worth it if you love a thriller.

Was this review helpful?

This was a quick, but entertaining read. The twists and turns kept me interested, and although there were certain parts that were very predictable I was invested in the characters.

Was this review helpful?

I really enjoyed this read , first time reading anything by the author. Fast paced and full of twists , none of the characters are likeable but that’s what makes it dark and delicious

Was this review helpful?

Does ER doctor Sloane Marks forgive her husband's affair or does she get even?
Desperate for a family she feels she has to forgive Ethan but only after dating Brody Carr founder of dating app THE ONE.
This is an insidious book which has all the makings of a best seller.

Was this review helpful?

Wow! I don't know where to start- Brody and Ethan are both strong powerful men (one a billionaire and the other a detective). This could easily be a Lifetime Ripped from the Headlines movie. I thought of so many famous cases like this one (which if anyone needs a reminder on why not to go diving or any other extreme water sport with only one other man here it is). I wasn't a fan of Sloane and Ethan relationships because they're both clearly not into it with both of them cheating. Sloane is just desperate to love and have a family that she puts up with Ethan's bs and then falls for Brody's charm. It was a shocking ending and I can't wait to read more by this author!

Was this review helpful?

I am a big Audrey J. Cole fan and was so excited to get this advance copy of The One. This book did not disappoint. Good storyline, good characters; the story held my interest, and I like this author's writing style.

To save their marriage, Sloane must forgive her husband's affair. Instead, she tries a more tempting option—settling the score. But will it prove to be a deadly mistake? E.R. doctor Sloane Marks is shattered when she learns her husband Ethan slept with his partner at Seattle Homicide. She considers leaving him and joining The One, having gone to college with the popular dating app's billionaire founder, Brody Carr. But at forty-two, Sloane feels she has no choice but to forgive Ethan if she wants a chance at creating the family she never had.

#TheOne #NetGalley @LPOBryan

Was this review helpful?

On the surface, this book appears to be one about a couple who like to dive and one would assume that they are in a loving relationship after reading the title - she’s ‘the one.”

However, once you dive between the covers of this book, you’ll soon realize that the world you thought you were sliding into is nothing at all like the one represented.

In fact, you’ll be gasping for air and your heart will be pounding because Cole has written another fantastic domestic suspense. She highlights what happens to us and those around us when we are driven to settle a score.

Forty-two-year-old E.R. doctor, Sloane Marks, has marinated her mind in revenge since she heard about her husband’s infidelity. She’d like to think she can forgive and forget, but she’s only fooling herself. In an attempt to settle the score, she gets herself tangled up with someone powerful who will protect his secrets at all costs. Can she learn to forgive Ethan or will her drive to settle the score override any chance of a relationship and a family?

I ABSOLUTELY loved the unpredictability and the taut plotting of this domestic suspense. I got swept up in the secrets, lies, and murder and was feverishly turning pages. I love reading about characters who will go to great lengths to get what they want. That being said, I really was rooting for Ethan, Sloane’s husband. When an author can pull me into a book with a topic I’m not too hip on reading about (infidelity) and sway me towards supporting the bad guy (cheater), I know that I’ve found a talented author!

As I closed this fantastic book, I remembered a quote something along the lines of …when you start off on a path of revenge, remember to dig two graves.

If you enjoy fast-paced suspense, spun around a secret with a deadly consequence, this is one book you’ll want to put on your summer reading list.

I was gifted this copy by BooksGoSocial and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

Was this review helpful?

Title: The One
Author: Audrey J. Cole
Publisher: Rainer Publishing -BooksGoSocial
Genre: Thriller
Pub Date: June 27, 2023
My Rating: 4.2 Stars
Pages: 292

This is my third Audrey J. Cole], I loved " Only One Lie" which earned 5 stars from stingy star me! I was excited when I saw this story was available.
have been looking forward to another

Sloane and Ethan Marks have been married for ten years.
Sloane is an ER doctor and Ethan is with the Seattle Homicide division.
When Sloane finds out Ethan cheated on her with his Seattle Homicide partner she cannot forgive and wants to dump him but fears being in her forties she doesn’t have many options.
(Which to me sounds crazy – as forty is young!) They do go to counseling and Ethan begs her to forgive him.
.
Work colleagues suggest she try a dating app called “The One” and Sloane is considering it. One day while shopping in a grocery Sloane sees Brody Carr who was her lab partner back in med school before he dropped out. Now he is a billionaire as he made tons of money with that very same dating app.
Brody asked if they can stay in touch and adds his info into her phone. Sure enough he contacts her. Sloane is flattered with the attention and ends up seeing him. Ethan is suspicious that Sloane is or is at least considering cheating on him and his fears are confirmed when he learns that she went on a freediving excursion in the San Juan Islands with Brody. Now Ethan is the lead investigator in the death of Brody’s wife who died in an accident ~ which Ethan suspects wasn’t an accident.
Wait! Sloane was the attending physician when Chelsea was brought in.
Ethan fears that Sloane may be accuse of being an accomplice to her death.
Hmm was she?

The story only gets better.
I did have some doubts but turned out better than I had anticipated!!

Want to thank NetGalley and Rainer Publishing and BooksGoSocial for granted me this great early eGalley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for June 27, 2023

Was this review helpful?

A HUGE thank you to @netgalley and BooksGoSocial for providing me with this ARC for my honest review.

This is the 2nd book I've read by Audrey J Cole this month, and she's definitely become a favorite!  I enjoyed this one just as much as The Final Hunt. 

ER doctor Sloane Marks is married to Seattle homicide detective, Ethan Marks.  When Ethan confesses to cheating on her with his partner, she is shattered and wonders if she should leave him or try to move past it.  She realizes that at her age, starting over would be difficult, so she stays but feels like Ethan is giving little effort.  In walks, Brody Carr, her college lab partner, turned dating app developer billionaire.  She decides maybe she needs to get even.  After a weekend away with Brody, his model wife ends up dying in an accident.  But was it really an accident?  Ethan becomes the lead detective on the case and must figure out if there is foul play.  Is Brody hiding something?  Is Sloane involved?  Which man will be by her side?

I was so intrigued to see what was going to happen that I couldn't put the book down!  This domestic thriller was full of mystery and suspense.  You won't see the twists coming.  I would highly recommend adding this book to your summer TBR.

Was this review helpful?

The One is the fourth book I have read my Audrey J. Cole. I loved the first three books I read, but I do have mixed feelings about this one. I kept reading and waiting for some action. During the first third of the book, I was actually beginning to think the novel was more of a domestic suspense novel than a thriller.

Sloane, an ER nurse, and her homicide detective husband, Ethan, are struggling in their marriage after Ethan has an affair. In Sloane's mind, to make their marriage better, she also needs to have an affair. In walks Brody Carr, the millionaire owner of a dating website, The One, and a short affair begins. When Brody's wife is brought into the ER after a freediving accident and she dies on Sloane's watch, the action finally begins.

I did enjoy reading The One, but it fell a little flat for me after the suspense of Cole's last three novels. The book does pick up its pace after the first third and goes on to give some Gone Girl vibes. Ultimately, I did enjoy the book.

Thank you, NetGalley and BooksGoSocial, for the digital ARC in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed above are my own.

Was this review helpful?

A story of betrayal and revenge and a host of not so nice or likeable characters!…….enough to keep you reading to see what happens meant it was enjoyable but not my favourite by this authior

Was this review helpful?

Sloane Marks is a successful ER physician in Seattle. Her husband Ethan works as a homicide detective. Sloane is devastated after learning that Ethan cheated on her with his partner. After a run in with her old college friend Brody, Sloane is wrapped up in an affair of her own. She just wants Ethan to know how it feels and realize how bad he wants her to stay. Things become more complicated when Brody's wife ends up dead and Ethan is investigating the death as a possible homicide. Sloane's plan for Ethan to realize what he has may not be as simple as she thought. But when you really love someone, you'll do absolutely anything to save that relationship, right?

This book was fantastic! I couldn't put it down. I was heartbroken for Sloane as she's learning how to trust Ethan again. And then, I was sympathizing more with Ethan after everything with Sloane and Brody's relationship was unfolding. This book has affairs, lies, secrets, love, murder, money, greed, all of it. As the story plays out, who genuinely won't know who you can trust. And I loved every second of it!

Was this review helpful?

After loving her previous books, I was so excited to read this one and it did not disappoint! Full of twists and turns- highly recommend!
Thanks to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for allowing me to read this ARC.

Was this review helpful?

Ok, I have to say this is my second book by this author and I can't wait to read more! Can is she cheating? Will Salone be alright once she takes matters into her own hands? I believe she will. I truly loved this book. Things that make you go wow! That is how this book made me feel while reading it. .

Was this review helpful?

The One by Audrey J. Cole is a fast-paced riveting page turner that keeps the reader questioning what comes next.

Sloane is an ER Doctor and is struggling to get past the fact her husband, Ethan, has cheated on her. Trying to have a family something always comes up and the gap continues to widen between them.
A co-worker suggests she try the new dating app called The One, usually not the best idea when you are upset. Still in love with her husband but angry at him she becomes involved with the app's billionaire founder Brody Carr, a man from her past she barely knew. Brody and Sloane go away for the weekend, very soon after his wife dies in a suspicious diving accident, Ethan becomes the lead investigator and Sloane finds herself between two men who are focused on the truth in different ways.

Each of the previous books I have read are fantastic thrillers. I have enjoyed each one and this one is no different. It starts with Sloane struggling over Ethan's cheating but then it turns into something more. The story builds as we see Sloane make what would appear to be questioning choices, until things take a shocking turn. I found myself reading this one as quickly as I could. I could not see where this was heading. Anxiously waiting for the next book.

Was this review helpful?

In The One, we follow Sloane as she seeks revenge on her husband Ethan for his affair by being unfaithful herself. She begins an affair with married and wealthy dating app developer Brody Carr. After Brody's wife dies in a mysterious diving accident, Sloane and Ethan both become involved in the investigation.
I absolutely loved this book! It was moving fast and I never knew who to trust. I also liked the freediving aspect. It's a great book to read in the summer!

Was this review helpful?

Cole does well in crafting complex plots that are engaging. While this novel seemed to get off to a slow start, the second half was compelling. It certainly brought out the entanglement when one strays outside the bonds of marriage. I initially had compassion for Sloane. It seemed like she was getting the bad end of the marriage. But when she tries to equal the score, my goodness, events cascade into darkness. I was shocked at her actions towards the end of the book.

Cole has designed the plot so that at the end, there is new revelation that surprised me. I had been deceived into believing one thing when the truth was really something different. The best part of the book for me was the last chapter. It was so ironic yet made me smile too.

This is a good novel for readers who like to read about people solving their own problems, no matter the harm to others. You'll get to learn a bit about free diving too. I have read all of Cole's novels and have liked them. Each is a stand alone thriller.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

Was this review helpful?

I was completely and totally hooked by chapter 5, and I literally didn’t want to put it down! Really enjoyed this one.

Was this review helpful?

After her husband has an affair, Sloane is hopeful that an affair of her own will not only even the score but also improve her marriage. When she reconnects with her old friend, and current billionaire, Brody things heat up quickly. But as Sloane turns away from the affair and towards her husband Brody is not ready to let go and elevates the situation putting Sloane at risk of losing everything, even her life.
This was a quick read told from both Sloane and her husbands POV's. I enjoyed getting inside both of their heads, telling a more well rounded and twisty story. The first part of this book just feels like a revenge story, but things quickly heat up after the first twist. As the story unfolds we get to know a little bit more about each character and doubts about each begin to bloom. With twists along the way this is a story about revenge and how far someone will go for the life that they want.
If you're looking for a quick read with some thrilling twists, this is a great choice.

⭐⭐⭐💫 (3.5)

Thank you to @netgalley , @booksgosocialgroup and @orangeskyaudio for the gifted copy of this book.

Was this review helpful?

This was the first book I have listened to by Audrey Cole. I wasn't disappointed in it. There are some slow moments but I say that often with thrillers. There are twist and turns galore! I would definitely recommend giving this a listen!


Thank you NetGalley and OrangeSky Audio for allowing me to listen to this ARC for my honest opinion.

Was this review helpful?

What an intense and intriguing story. With it's twists and turns it'll keep you on the edge of your seat. The characters are bold and interesting, the storyline complex and the ending is unexpected. I loved it.

Was this review helpful?

The storyline by Audrey J Cole you from the very beginning, keeping you engaged from the first page to the last page, so much so that I hated it to end. Audrey J Cole is a skilled storyteller, weaving twists, and turns throughout. The story of Sloane, her husband Ethan, and Brody will keep you on the edge of your seat, waiting to see what will happen next. This book is a definite page-turner. Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for allowing me to review ARC.

Was this review helpful?

An affair to remember!

"The One" is the new domestic thriller from the talented pen of author Audrey J. Cole, and it was so riveting I was compelled to read it in one mesmerizing session. I flew through this story, and with its vivid visuals and stunning twists and turns, I can easily see this as the basis of a terrific film.

I was so torn at first over how I felt about the main characters: Sloane, the wronged wife, and Ethan, the husband who strayed. I wanted to love her and despise him, but they both had good points and good intentions and bad choices and worse behaviors. I liked him much more than I felt I should, and she started to feel a little less perfect and more human. The breakdown in their relationship and communication was fundamental to what was happening in their marriage and their later games playing, which led to much of the trouble. The introduction of Brody into the mix really kicked the stakes up to a higher level. Sloane and Ethan are driven, goal-oriented people working in careers hit hard by understaffing, an overwhelming workload, and burnout. Both are good people who some unfortunate choices.

While the suspense begins early, wondering where the marriage is going to go and how Brody will figure into it, the plot takes big turns, and the tension escalates quickly. I couldn’t put this book down; I had to find out what would happen next! I was not disappointed and didn’t even try to guess the eventual outcome; I just held on for the ride. The tense plot is enhanced by its Seattle-area setting and the unusual hobby of freediving. I’d never heard of this competitive sport, and it was a fascinating angle in the story.

With its flawed and very human characters and suspenseful plot, rife with twists and turns, I recommend THE ONE to readers who enjoy domestic thrillers, especially those set in the Pacific Northwest or involving water sports.

Was this review helpful?

This book was great. And a perfect summer read- entertaining, but doesn't make you think too much! I thought the twist was great. I saw it coming, but I still thought it was executed well. Overall, this was a great book that I thoroughly enjoyed. I'm excited to recommend it to my patrons!

Was this review helpful?

After reading The One I had to sit for a while, while I ponder what happened. The One pulled me in from the very beginning and had me hanging on needing to know how ER doctor Sloane Marks’s story was going to unravel. Sloane’s husband Ethan cheated on her with his partner at Seattle Homicide.

Sloane wanted to take Ethan back but first, she needed to make him want her back very badly. Sloane wants to make Ethan feel what she felt when he cheated on her or so she believes but I do believe that she was only fooling herself as she wanted way more than that. No, I think she wanted revenge.

Sloane decides to hook up a gut that she went to school with billionaire Brody Carr. Brody is the founder of a dating app called The One. Sloane starts a relationship with Brody hoping to make Ethan jealous. Can Sloane and Brody find their way back to each other or will they end up going their separate ways? Can they save their marriage?

As I was saying before after finishing The One I needed to sit with it for a while as I absorbed it all. Especially after that ending, an ending that left me in shock as I never once saw it coming although I should have. I was so surprised to see how it all turned out. The suspense kept me guessing from beginning to end.

Audrey J. Cole is an amazing author as she can draw you into a story and have you feeling everything the characters do. Her stories will stay with you long after the last page is read pondering over all of it.

If you like a good mystery with a big shocking twist then I invite you to pick up a copy of The One today!

Was this review helpful?

I have mixed feelings with this one, mostly because of the content of the story. I’m not always a big fan of domestic suspense, especially when it involved infidelity, like this one. But I was quickly turned around when the plot twists started because the stakes are quickly raised, and Sloane must think things through quickly to save herself. I loved the adventure and the many deceptions.

A big thank you to NetGalley, BooksGoSocial, and Audrey J Cole for providing me with this gifted copy in exchange for my honest review.

Was this review helpful?

One of my favorite Authors her new book is on netgalley!! I'm so excited that I actually screamed with excitement. If you have not read her books. Stop what you are doing and read any of her books

Was this review helpful?

Thank you to Netgalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book had me STRESSIN'. It's a relatively short read, so if you like thrillers, I highly recommend checking this out. The book follows Sloane - an ER doctor - and her husband, Ethan - a homicide police detective. Ethan had an affair with his last partner, and Sloane, not feeling good enough, wants to get back at him for it. She still loves Ethan and doesn't want to leave him, but she wants him to feel as she felt so they can start to heal their relationship.

Sloane bumps into her old college lab partner - Brody Carr - who is now a billionaire relationship app founder, going through his own divorce. Sloane gets wowed by him and has a short, torrid affair. She intends to break it off but Brody's wife - Chelsea - suddenly ends up dead. With Ethan knowing about the affair and investigating Chelsea's death, this book builds up the tension and you have to keep turning the pages to find out what happens next.

Definitely recommend this read, and I'll be checking out the author's other works as well!

Was this review helpful?

I really enjoyed the book! I wondered who was manipulating who, who I could trust and I was wrong, but that's okay. The alternating chapters between two characters allowed for a more fluent reading of the book. I recommend it, although there was one detail at the end that wasn't believable to me."

Was this review helpful?

As is common with Audrey Coles books she hits you with a few good twits and turns and then waits until the last 50 pages of the book to really blow your mind. I have given up trying to guess because I never catch it. This book was fun and sucked me in from the start. I would recommend it!

Was this review helpful?

The One was definitely a different kinda of crazy twisted. A husband who cheats on his wife with his partner and can she forgive him. I blew thru this pretty quick and loved the twists.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC of this book. Wow!! I loved this read! The characters were well drawn and frankly a bit nuts. The story was very suspenseful and kept me reading late into the night. Highly recommend

Was this review helpful?

A thrilling police procedural with everything to love. Cheating, lies, betrayal and a possible serial killer. What is not too love?

Was this review helpful?

A suspenseful, addictive story filled with plot twists and mystery. I loved the characters and their dynamics. This was a great read!

Was this review helpful?

Readers who liked this book also liked: