This book is so clever!!! It really made me think about how women and girls are perceived in our society and what could happen if we turned that on its head! Fantastic book.

I am a huge fan of Araminta Hall and I have to say, I am sure that this is her best book yet! The writing is so sharp, the twists hugely satisfying, and its a real thinker, too.

This was a captivating read from the start. It starts off with the character of Cole and how he believes he has been treated by his previous relationships.. He has moved away from the city to a remote area when he discovers a new love interest that could be the answers to his prayers. Without giving away too much the narrative soon changes! There is much more to the story but I would recommend reading for yourself. I am glad I read this not knowing too much about what the story entailed.

For me, there has never been a clearer 5 star ever!! I absolutely adore this book and everything it has to say!

The story opens with the character of Cole, who recounts his experiences with women in his life. Immediately, we pick up on the vibe of him playing the victim, undermining their feelings, lacking any self-awareness, and molding things to suit his own narrative. But he claims to be "one of the good guys," right? Women, according to him, just don't understand the "hard work and effort he puts in," work that should undoubtedly earn him praise because this notion, where the bar for men is set so low that they are deemed exemplary by default, becomes very evident. Never mind that women don't receive the same privilege.

However, at no point does it feel like an over-exaggeration of the character or like the author is pushing an agenda. The narrative simply highlights the real-life men that women encounter and deal with on a daily basis. The portrayal has the uncanny ability to make you feel gaslighted by simply reading from Cole's perspective.
Nevertheless, a pivotal shift occurs as the story transitions to his wife's viewpoint in the second part. The book unfolds the intricacies of their marriage, year by year, as the story reveals when their relationship started taking a downturn.

The third and final part of the book introduces mixed media, including newspaper and magazine articles, podcast transcripts, interviews, and online posts and comments that explain the twist in the story related to two missing girls who disappeared during a protest against male violence. This will undoubtedly make you ponder the morality and justice of the situation presented.

I applaud the author for dealing with these topics in such a nuanced way. The book delves into discussions about inequality in shared finances at home, the emotional and physical toll of the IVF journey on women, double standards, the influence of pornography on men's perception of women, male violence and disrespect in various forms, predatory behavior, victim-blaming, manipulation disguised as love, and the audacity of men attempting to control women's bodies. The narrative also touches on how the media prioritizes white middle-class women in cases involving law enforcement efforts, and the reality that women are often only heard when they have lost their voices entirely.
The inclusion of reddit comments in the book further adds to its authenticity, as they resonate with the same discourse and hatred i often encounter online.

This book brilliantly encapsulates every facet of being a woman in today's society, every time we've felt unsafe and ostracized, unheard and not taken seriously, and made to feel crazy for expressing our truth. It's full of feminist rage and much-needed social commentary. The plot flows effortlessly, and I seriously can't praise it enough!

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

One of the Good Guys is an incredibly clever psychological thriller that had me on the edge of my seat from the suspense. Although some times I felt myself getting slightly bored and skimming a bit I still didn't want to put this down and I highly recommend.

I enjoyed Araminta Hall’s ‘Imperfect Women’ and was hoping for more thoughtful exploration of female friendship in her latest novel, ‘One of the Good Guys’, whilst appreciating that a central character is male.
Her unpicking of a toxic marriage, giving weight to both parties, is an interesting premise. She manages to balance the exposition effectively in the first third of the novel so that, whilst Cole is intensely irritating at times, he doesn’t appear to exhibit anything more than childish petulant when challenged. However, when we are given his wife’s point of view, it’s clear that he’s damaging to live with.
Hall’s presentation of different facets of Cole and Mel’s relationship is the strongest element of the narrative. When he pronounces that,’…one of the big reasons Mel was so successful and earned so much was because I’d picked up so many pieces at home...’, it’s possible to think he has a point. Likewise, when Mel thinks that, ‘…Cole does most of the cooking and cleaning at home…our friends fawn over him as if he’s solving world hunger’, we can appreciate her irritation.
However, the final third of the novel failed to keep my attention; Hall explains through newspaper and magazine articles, social media and immersive art what happens after Cole and Mel part company. I simply could not suspend my disbelief at every level.
My thanks to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for a copy of this book in exchange for a fair review.

A sharp and witty book with clever writing and character development. As much as I enjoyed it, there were several points where I was a little bored and found myself skim reading to get to something exciting. But still, a great read nonetheless that had me on the edge of my seat.

I am a bit gutted that this book just didn't really do it for me. I do think it is really important to spread awareness and understand how society sees and treats women, alongside the dangers we can/do face, however the way that this was done with the media stories and unrealistic plot just felt excessive.

I preferred the first two POV from Cole and Mel, than I did the last third of this book. It was very interesting to see how the same events were seen so differently through each of their eyes. It did really highlight how easily men gaslight women and flip it so they are seen as the 'good guy'. I do think Coles character was written well. He was extremely unlikely, with no self-awareness and constantly whining.

I did not like any character in this, maybe that was the point?.. But it left me not being able to connect with the plot and overall feeling a bit fed up.

I will say that the one part I did really like was the walk-through exhibit at the end. I felt this was really powerful and got the message across really well.

I think this was a 2.5 star read for me as I think the second half of the book let it down.

Thank you Netgalley and PanMacmillan for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A superb psychological thriller revolving around the break up of Mel and Cole and Cole's new friendship with Lennie.
I loved the slow build up of suspense and found this to be a really spooky and creepy read because I couldn't work out who are the good/bad guys. It's very addictive and I had to keep reading to reach the outcome which I hadn't predicted, but is very profound.
An excellent plot. Highly recommended.

I've absolutely loved the author's previous novels and so was thrilled to have the opportunity to read One of the Good Guys.
The novel starts with the point of view of Cole, recently separated from his partner Mel and relocated to the Sussex coast. Here he meets Lennie, an artist and becomes subject to a police investigation and media interest after the disappearance of two young women who are walking the coastal path to protest against and highlight male violence towards women.
I found Cole's point of view frustrating, he's a man completely lacking in self awareness who sees himself as a victim and I wondered how I could continue reading the novel. However as soon as the novel moves to Mel's point of view it all fell into place for me, it put Cole's point of view into context and I was completely drawn into Mel's story. It's a novel that gets better and better with a great twist that really highlights violence and abuse against women in our society. I wasn't overly keen on the social media excerpts included as I felt this distracted from the compelling narrative and pace.
Another fantastic read from the author that I would recommend.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this digital ARC.

Cole and Mel are a separated couple. Mel has stayed in their London home and Cole has moved to the South coast near Brighton for a new job as a ranger. Cole meets Lennie/Leonora, an artist renting a cottage nearby and starts a relationship with her. The story is told from the perspective of Cole, then Mel and Lennie, with other sub-plots and background adding to the tension.
The Cole part was hard to read as he lacks self-awareness. The story really gets going when Mel's version starts and we learn more about Cole. The revelations continue to unfold in unexpected ways as the story progresses and you are not sure what to believe.
Recommended.

I was about 6% into this book, and Cole was fully getting on my nerves, and I thought I'd scream if I heard the name Mel again.
But I've read Hall before, and knew she was worth it.
I got a completely different story to what I'd expected.
Was Cole really one of the good guys? He seems to think so.

This story is very relevant to our times, and drives home perfectly what women face, either in person, or online.
There's one particular bit, that properly had me creeped out.
It all ties so well together by the end.
A really great read.

From The Cover📖

This is what happens when two women have had enough...

Cole is the perfect husband; a romantic, supportive of his wife’s career, keen to be a hands-on dad, not a big drinker. A good guy.

So when his wife leaves him, he's floored. She was lucky to be with a man like him.

Craving solitude, he accepts a job on the coast and quickly settles into his new life. Then he meets reclusive artist Lennie. And though she is quite different from the woman he’d expected, he believes he has finally found a soulmate.

But as their relationship develops, two young women go missing while on a walk protesting gendered violence, right by where Cole and Lennie live. Finding themselves at the heart of a police investigation and media frenzy, Cole soon realises they don’t know each other very well at all . . .


REVIEW⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️


This was not what I expecting at all I thought it would be a quick run if the mill domestic thriller boy was I was wrong. This is not was I expecting but in the best possible way. Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and author for allowing me to read this scintillating thriller it is smart,creepy, thought-provoking, compelling and so very relevant. I started out thinking I knew where it was going, but it surprised me again and again even when I thought I had worked out parts, of which I did, there still a sting in the tail. This stands out in what is crowed genre.

Told in the first POV from Cole and Mel in a traditional format, written in the second person via letter/diary from Lennie and interlaced with podcast transcripts, articles, online posts and interviews. The novel is a masterful blend of psychological suspense and social commentary, offering a unique perspective on the complexities of modern relationships and societal expectations. Hall's writing is evocative and immersive, drawing readers into a gripping tale that keeps them guessing until the very end. The characters are all far from black and white their actions will challenge your views, although I will say Cole is worse kind of toxic male, the very kind of man that makes me feel sick he makes a fantastic character, I hated him from the start he gave me the creeps. I felt Mel could have been drawn out a bit more as character her voice felt a bit lost perhaps that was the point. While I like the mix of epistolary-extracts and document snippets some of the online things could have been cut back a little but I think the author was really trying hammer the points she was making home and she really does achieve that.

Full of feminist rage against what is wrong with the world we live in , explored in a well plotted mystery with a twist that will make you question yourself and your views on what is good and what is bad, who deserves punishment and can men and woman ever have even footing….

The novel is a masterful blend of psychological suspense and social commentary it will linger in your thoughts long after you've finished reading. Water cooler moment type of book, would make a great Tv adaptation.

Fans of Lisa Jewell and Gillian Glen will read this in one night.


📣📣📣📣 Spoiler📣📣📣📣




The exhibition in this novel NEEDS to happen

Cole's marriage to Mel has fallen apart, leading him to move south and take on a new job as a ranger. Although he is still ruminating over the failure of his relationship, Cole finds himself more satisfied with regard to his quality of life now that he has removed himself from the rat race.

Like the majority of men who like to think of themselves as enlightened and self-aware, Cole believes that he is one of the "good" men. Of course, if all the men who believed that they're part of the solution rather than part of the problem were actually correct, then there would be far less of a problem with regard to women's security and wellbeing!

So where does Cole really belong on the spectrum of male (mis)behaviour? The first part of the book is written from his point of view and I found it hard to view him sympathetically. He seems suffer from a self-perception of victimization that was really quite unappealing.

After he meets Leonora, Cole appears a little happier, and the two soon seem headed towards a new relationship. Until, that is, two young women who are on a sponsored walk to raise awareness about gender-based violence disappear while they are passing through the area.

Unfortunately, Cole and Leonora find themselves in the thick of things, and this brings out all kinds of new dimensions to the story. Not only is Leonora's perspective on things somewhat different, the middle part of the book - which offers insights from Mel - is as enlightening as it is concerning. So whose version are we to believe?

The pacing of this story was a little uneven, with the first two-thirds offering an easier flow in terms of reading for me than the last part. It may also have felt like this because there were some elements which seemed slightly repetitive.

But overall, this was an interesting read. It is a fairly twisty (and also, dare I say it, twisted) story which raises some difficult questions. The book has important things to say, some of which people would rather brush under the nearest rug, because they are uncomfortable to consider more closely. Definitely worth checking out if you are looking for a dark thriller which addresses contemporary social issues. I give it 3.5 stars rounded up to 4.

I really enjoyed this mystery book, loved trying to solve the mystery as I read the book. I loved the characters and the suspense. This author has a great writing style.

My first Araminta Hall, and I’ll be seeking out more from her, because this was so unexpected. I started out thinking I knew where it was going, but it surprised me. By the time I reached Part Three, which shifts genres to become my favourite mix of epistolary-extracts and document snippets (think WhatsApps and Reddit threads), I was fully invested and also marvelling at how up-to-date it is. It challenged some of my feminist thinking, too - pretty impressive for a novel that’s also a page-turner!!

Mel thinks her husband Cole is ‘one of the good guys’. Cole also thinks he’s one of the good guys. The reader thinks he seems like one of the good guys – but you know you’re reading a psychological thriller and that it’s not likely to turn out that way!

Cole’s extremely keen to be a father but eventually the pressure he puts on Mel to have a baby is too much and she leaves him. Cole moves to the coast and finds himself living near artist Lennie (full name Leonora). Cole appears to charm Lennie and he believes he’s found a soulmate.

In the meantime, two women have started a ‘Walk for Women’ as a protest against male violence, and their walk takes in the area of coastline that Cole now lives on. The two women disappear and in the ensuing search, Cole finds himself arrested and that Lennie is not the woman he thought she was…

A compelling read; it IS a psych thriller and you know there’s going to be a twist in the tale (so, if you’ve read a few, you know that although the obvious villain is Cole, it’s not likely to be remotely that straightforward). Generally, in my experience, psych thrillers are mainly about the page-turning, but this one is unusual in that it’s also something of a social commentary on the way women are both perceived and treated by society. How you feel about the way the story unfolds and who is manipulating who is definitely worthy of a book group discussion.

As someone who's dated over lot over the past 20 years, this all felt a but too familiar lol! It's always the ones who think themselves these great guys eh?! It was really well written, I could quite easily believe and relate to a lot of it. It was really well written and hopefully will be thought provoking for a lot of people. The characters were were fleshed out and their unique perspectives were perfectly written. It dark, it's realistic, what's not to like

This novel was unfortunately a bit contrite for my liking. The characters were interesting and I enjoyed the feminist aspects, however, the plot was unbelievable, letting down the book as a whole.

Bombshell Suspense…
Cole is one of the good guys. Perfect, really. So he thinks. When his marriage implodes he simply cannot understand it. It is quite unfathomable for him. Moving to the coast, Cole meets Lennie and thinks that he has, at last, found his soulmate in life. Someone, no doubt, to appreciate his perfection. When two young women go missing nearby things are to take a very dark turn. Bombshell psychological suspense which is so much more than just a story. Genre crossing and multi layered and a plot populated with keenly observed characters, an en pointe narrative and dark, contemporary and thought provoking threads.