It's One of Us: A Novel by J.T. Ellison
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It's One of Us: A Novel

by

J.T. Ellison

(Author)

4.2

-

3,387 ratings


“A smart, taut, mind-blowing thriller full of heartbreak and betrayal that moves along at breakneck speed. Readers will be obsessed!” —Mary Kubica, New York Times bestselling author of Just The Nicest Couple

Everybody lies. Even the ones you think you know best of all . . .

Olivia Bender designs exquisite home interiors that satisfy the most demanding clients. But her own deepest desire can’t be fulfilled by marble counters or the perfect rug. She desperately wants to be a mother. Fertility treatments and IVF keep failing. And just when she feels she’s at her lowest point, the police deliver shocking news to Olivia and her husband, Park.

DNA results show that the prime suspect in a murder investigation is Park’s son. Olivia is relieved, knowing this is a mistake. Despite their desire, the Benders don’t have any children. Then comes the confession. Many years ago, Park donated sperm to a clinic. He has no idea how many times it was sold—or how many children he has sired.

As the murder investigation goes deeper, more terrible truths come to light. With every revelation, Olivia must face the unthinkable. The man she married has fathered a killer. But can she hold that against him when she keeps such dark secrets of her own?

This twisting, emotionally layered thriller explores the lies we tell to keep a marriage together--or break each other apart . . .

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ISBN-10

0778310957

ISBN-13

978-0778310952

Print length

400 pages

Language

English

Publisher

MIRA

Publication date

March 18, 2024

Dimensions

5.33 x 1.02 x 7.91 inches

Item weight

2.31 pounds


Product details

ASIN :

B09ZLGLKH9

File size :

3532 KB

Text-to-speech :

Enabled

Screen reader :

Supported

Enhanced typesetting :

Enabled

X-Ray :

Enabled

Word wise :

Enabled


Editorial reviews

“A smart, taut, mind-blowing thriller full of heartbreak and betrayal that moves along at breakneck speed. IT’S ONE OF US is a force to be reckoned with. I’ve always been a fan, but Ellison has outdone herself with this one. Readers will be obsessed!” —Mary Kubica, New York Times bestselling author of Just The Nicest Couple

“Betrayal, obsession, and familial ties that bind create a tension-filled story with an intriguing theme. Readers will race through the pages to an end they didn’t see coming.”—Library Journal, STARRED REVIEW

"A heart-stoppingly tense thriller about the price of secrets and the layers behind every marriage." —Ruth Ware, New York Times bestselling author of The Woman In Cabin 10

“J.T. Ellison has done the impossible by crafting a riveting domestic thriller full of twists and turns, but also heart and emotion. You’ll root for her heroine Olivia Bender every step of the way, as soon as a knock on the door brings shocking news that threatens her marriage and her world. You won’t be able to put this novel down!” —Lisa Scottoline, New York Times bestselling author of Loyalty

“Expertly explores the intensely complex emotions surrounding infertility, loss, and marriage. Throw in murder, a vivid cast of characters, and shocking secrets, Ellison masterfully mines the human heart in this treasure of a thriller that will keep readers turning the pages long into the night.” —Heather Gudenkauf, New York Times bestselling author of The Overnight Guest

“J.T. Ellison is one of my favorite authors. I eagerly await everything she writes. And in IT’S ONE OF US she is at the very top of her formidable game. Don’t miss this layered, emotional, and twisting thrill ride.” — Lisa Unger, New York Times bestselling author of Secluded Cabin Sleeps Six

"Beautifully written and impossible to put down, master storyteller J.T. Ellison will have you spellbound with this deeply layered psychological thriller. Immersive and propulsive, IT’S ONE OF US, keeps you turning pages with an ending you’ll never see coming. I loved it!” —Liv Constantine, bestselling author of The Last Mrs. Parrish

"An extremely compelling thriller shot through with twists and turns, a strong emotional pulse, and heartfelt exploration of the pressures of marriage and starting a family. Impressive and gripping." —Gilly Macmillan, internationally bestselling author of The Long Weekend

“Brings all the twists, chills, and thrills I expect from the preternaturally gifted Ellison, and it’s also an emotionally resonant read that I can’t wait to recommend to my book club. The secrets snarled in the threads of an unraveling marriage and a heroine who wholly won me over put this one on my keeper shelf—you are going to love it!” —Joshilyn Jackson, New York Times bestselling author of With My Little Eye

"One of the most compelling psychological suspense stories I’ve read in years." --Jacquelyn Mitchard, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Deep End of the Ocean

"This gripping, breathless thriller, adds an incredibly unique premise and delivers a novel that’s also a deeply poignant story about our deepest desire for love, family and happiness." --Hannah Mary McKinnon, internationally bestselling author of Never Coming Home

“It’s One of Us is an emotional and thrilling psychological journey through the shadows of the human heart. Just when you think you know what’s coming, prepare to gasp with each new revelation. Through multiple fascinating points of view, layers of secrets, lies, love and loss are revealed. I did not put this book down until the last unexpected and breathless page. Unpredictable, intense and riveting, J. T. Ellison is at her heart-stopping best." —Patti Callahan Henry, New York Times bestselling author of Once Upon A Wardrobe

"The perfect mix of edge-of-your-seat tension, deep emotion, and impeccably developed characters, J.T. Ellison’s latest is a masterclass in storytelling. Secrets and lies, love and loss mix flawlessly to create a novel that touches every single emotion. Fans of Lisa Jewell and Ruth Ware will flock to IT’S ONE OF US, and book clubs won’t be able to stop talking about it. Five dazzling stars." —Kristy Woodson Harvey, New York Times bestselling author of The Wedding Veil

"An extraordinary, unpredictable, absolutely riveting thriller and a fiercely insightful, emotional journey, this is psychological suspense at its most enthralling and intense." –Jayne Ann Krentz

“Secrets and lies abound, relationships are tested, and the twists keep coming. Ellison outdid herself, a master storyteller. This is a must read, especially the author’s note at the end, which gutted me.” --Kerry Lonsdale, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post & Amazon Charts Bestselling Author

About the Author

J.T. Ellison is the New York Times andUSA Today bestselling author of more than 25 novels, and the EMMY® award winning co-host of the literary show A WORD ON WORDS. With millions of books in print, her work has won critical acclaim, prestigious awards, and has been published in 28 countries. She lives in Nashville with her husband and twin kittens.

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About the authors

J.T. Ellison

J.T. Ellison

J.T. Ellison is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than 30 novels, and the EMMY® award winning co-host of the literary TV show A WORD ON WORDS. She also writes urban fantasy under the pen name Joss Walker.

With millions of books in print, her work has won critical acclaim, prestigious awards, been optioned for television, and has been published in 28 countries.

J.T. lives in Nashville with her husband and twin kittens, one of whom is a ghost, where she is hard at work on her next novel.

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Reviews

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5

3,387 global ratings

Beth Weinel

Beth Weinel

5

A Must Read!

Reviewed in the United States on September 2, 2024

Verified Purchase

I read this book in 5 days! The plot is creative and very suspenseful! You will not be disappointed!

L. Fulwider

L. Fulwider

5

Good Read

Reviewed in the United States on August 28, 2024

Verified Purchase

Escape reading

Vickie Watts

Vickie Watts

5

Heartbreaking Story with a Serial Killer Mystery

Reviewed in the United States on February 21, 2023

Verified Purchase

This book was an emotional roller coaster ride for me. I loved the entire ride, but I have to confess that the honesty with which the author deals with the heartbreaking topic of infertility was gut-wrenchingly realistic and a chance to really understand what some of my close friends have gone through. Olivia and Park Bender are trying desperately to have a child when Olivia discovers that Park has fathered children as a sperm donor when he was in college. Not only that, but drum roll for the added dramatic twist, one of his children is a serial killer and has left DNA at a crime scene. Olivia’s world is supposed to be one of order and beauty as she designs home interiors, creating wonderful spaces for happy homes. Instead, her world is instantly an insane combination of reporters, police, distrust of her husband and loss of a dream. The story is told in multiple points of view and although I enjoyed getting into the mind of each character, I identified with and enjoyed Olivia’s POV best. Park was not a favorite character, although he was a devoted husband and wanted to be a father as Olivia wanted to be a mother. The twists that happen in the telling of the intricate web of deceit, murder, infertility and sperm banks was so well written that I was waiting for the documentary credits to roll at the end. I learned from this book as well as being entertained and totally absorbed by the story. The ending was a surprise twist that I didn’t see coming and so good! The fast pace, the mesmerizing topics and the mystery all made this book one of the best books that I have ever read! To leave this book behind would be a travesty. It is haunting in its transparent look at a difficult topic and informative in a way that made me empathetic to friends and to the main character. I would give the book ten stars if possible, five for the writing including the plot and the characters and five more for educating me about infertility in an entertaining yet heart-tugging way. As an added note, if you are a reader who stops reading at the end of the book and doesn’t read dedications, acknowledgements, author’s notes, etc., I recommend that you read all the way to the end, every word on every page and let yourself be caught up in the sacrifice that writing this book must have cost the author. Disclaimer Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guidelines Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

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25 people found this helpful

Mike Krogh

Mike Krogh

5

What a book!

Reviewed in the United States on August 5, 2024

Verified Purchase

JT has outdone herself with this brilliant thriller. A love triangle, fertility treatment, and a murderer, all combine to deliver one of her best works.

mcangel90

mcangel90

4

Loose ends (spoilers)

Reviewed in the United States on July 16, 2023

Verified Purchase

I enjoyed this book overall and stayed up late to finish it. Olivia was a horrible person, and she blamed Park and Perry for everything bad in her life. I was hoping she would go to prison for what she did. There were loose ends - whose baby was Melanie Rich carrying? How did Peyton figure out where Olivia was at the end? He could not have followed Park there - he was on foot. I would have loved to have read the interchange of when Park and Perry realized what Olivia had done. The author dropped the ball when she left that out. I was glad that Darby and Park got married. I enjoyed the read - it just ended with so many questions. I will read this author again.

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3 people found this helpful

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