Having thoroughly enjoyed Only One Lie by Audrey Cole, I looked forward to reading her newest book, The One. Sloane and Ethan Marks are both hard working professionals. Sloane works long hours as an emergency room doctor and her husband is a homicide detective. Sloane is distraught when Ethan confesses to having had an affair with his work partner. Sloane decides that her answer is to have an affair too so that maybe their marriage can be saved and she can finally get pregnant. She runs into Broady Carr, a lab partner of hers in college. He runs a very successful dating app called The One. Interesting premise to the story.

For me the problem was the middle of the story. The plot just didn’t seem to have too many holes. I did enjoy the ending and the epilogue.

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

This is my second book by Audrey Cole and I'm definitely loving her style. The book was quick and easy binge, I listened to the entire book in one day. Thank you Orange Sky Audio, Netgalley, and Audrey Cole for the advanced copy of both the ebook and the audiobook. Having both was a great way to make sure I could read/listen no matter what I was doing.

This book gave me big Gone Girl vibes and there is definitely some unreliable narration happening that keeps you hooked and on the edge of your seat. Until the first major twist comes you wonder what exactly the main conflict is going to be but then wham you see it coming and know that it is going to be like a freight train going off the rails and all you can do is keep watching (or in this case watching). There was a level of predictability to the story but it didn't take away from my enjoyment of the book.

The narration was fantastic for those who like audiobooks and I'd definitely recommend checking out Audrey and all her books! I'm planning to grab up many of her backlist books soon!

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.

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!

The One is all about betrayal, scheming, lying, and getting what you want.
I felt slimy after finishing this read.
I thought Sloan and Ethan deserved each other. They were both cheaters and liars, despite their esteemed professions.
I didn’t particularly care for any of the characters in this book.

For me I give this 2.5 stars only because I just couldn't get into it like her book the final hunt. It wouldn't put me off reading more of hers though

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.

Thank you to the publisher for the early copy to read and review! I always look forward to what Audrey J. Cole can come up with next and was NOT disappointed in The One.

It is a story of infidelity and .....murder? Or not murder as it could have been an accident like the grieving husband claims. This had a couple 'twists' or more like, the characters find out things about the other characters and we are along for the ride. I liked the descriptiveness of the diving, the colors seemed so vivid in my mind due to the writing.
A lot of the characters behaved sketchily (is that a word?) so it takes some trudging to get thru all the lies, who is lying to whom and what they're lying about. But this author seems to write lies (and secrets) upon lies well.

A good, quick thriller to get me back into thrillers after the romance binge I've had going thru June.

This story was an adventure! Sloan Marks and her husband, Ethan are having marital problems after Ethan cheats. Sloan’s solution, outside of marriage counseling, is to go on a date herself to figure out if she wants to stay in the marriage. Enter old college acquaintance; tall, dark and handsome tech billionaire, Brody Carr, who can offer Sloan the affirmation, attention and adventure that her overworked police detective husband cannot. But, tragically, Brody’s estranged wife dies in a suspicious accident and Ethan becomes the lead investigator. Is Sloan in danger with Brody? All the elements were here for a great adventure thriller but I just could not connect to any of the characters, nor fully immerse in the storyline. I did enjoy the ending a lot! And I really liked one of this author’s other books, Final Hunt, so I will continue to look for her books. Thank you Netgalley, BooksGoSocial, and the author for this eARC in exchange for my honest review. This book will be available for purchase on June 27, 2023

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.

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. .

A crime mystery about secrets, lies and marital betrayals. The characters were not very well written and the protagonist despite having a caring profession was dislikeable. An average thriller.

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!

Devastated after learning of her husbands affair and finding him hard to trust Sloane has decisions to make, marriage counselling isn't helping but when she meets a university friend,Brody, by chance she decides to get her revenge on her husband Ethan by having an affair of her own. But this backfires drastically as things become more sinister when Brody's wife dies in a free diving accident. This sets all three on a path of self destruction.
Whilst I enjoyed this book and read it quite quickly it didn't capture my attention the way Ms Cole's previous books have. I found it more of a romance drama than a thriller. However I look forward to reading more of her novels

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

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.

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.

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

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.