Reviews tagging 'Toxic relationship'

The One by John Marrs

58 reviews

alibi313's review against another edition

dark tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

Not really a novel, but instead five short stories based on the single premise of couples being matched through their DNA. None of the characters interact at any time with people in any other story. As such, like many short story collections (especially ones from a single author, rather than an anthology), the quality varies and I typically average it out to 2-1/5⭐️⭐️⭐️. The short, alternating chapters helped to keep me engaged, as I knew I’d only be spending a limited amount of time with protagonists and plots I detested (Nick, Christopher) before returning to ones I enjoyed more.

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Gore and Toxic relationship

paulaks's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

I really wanted to like this book but  I don´t know... The writing was mediocre but the pace was pretty fast because of POV switches and short chapters. But holy crap the plot was CRAZY- Everything felt like a fever dream! The topics were interesting and definitely gave different nuances but it was just too much I guess. This is a me-problem and I truly understand the hype it had. I was fascinated by some moments and ideas but it was way too much for me. Check TW! 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Chronic illness, Death, Gore, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Toxic relationship, Blood, Stalking, Murder, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Cancer, Emotional abuse, Medical content, and Pregnancy

brandilovesbooks's review against another edition

challenging mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

If a simple DNA swab could find your soul mate,  would you do it?   What if your soul mate could be the same sex as you?  Or a generation older or younger than you?   Or be mentally handicapped?  Or have severe psychological problems?  Would you do it if you were single so you could eliminate all the Mr/Ms Wrongs before you found Mr/Ms Right?  What if you were in a relationship that you knew was "the one"?  Would you get tested to verify it?

The One takes place 10 years after this groundbreaking test became public.  Millions across the world have been tested.  The One follows 5 people who get their match.  A woman whose match is across the world, a CEO who always puts her business first,  a man who is pressured by his fiance to take the test to prove they are soul mates, a woman who attends her match's memorial after getting matched, and a psychopath who is in the middle of a murder spree.

There is so much more I could say,  but I don't want to give anything away.   

I enjoyed not only the "what if's" raised by the premise but the way each story unfolded.  They were all completely different and each had parts that were completely unexpected. 

Definitely recommended.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Chronic illness, Gore, Infidelity, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Gaslighting

laurennom's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer, Death, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Violence, Kidnapping, Medical trauma, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Pregnancy

stephanieluxton's review against another edition

dark mysterious reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I loved this book.

It's basically 5 books in one as it rotates through five unrelated main characters and their experience with "the one". 
There's a lot of little twists and turns and I found myself genuinely not knowing what was going to happen, which is rare and exciting.

The concept felt original, the pace was excellent, the characters all unique and colourful. The concept was well explored and it gives you something to think about. This would make a fantastic book club book. 

It's both dark and wholesome.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Violence, Stalking, and Murder

Moderate: Cancer and Sexual content

One of the main characters is a serial killer whostalks and targets young women and kills them with a cheese wire. It's not too graphic but it's a thing.

kaylee14's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Miscarriage, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Kidnapping, Stalking, Abortion, Murder, Pregnancy, and Fire/Fire injury

Minor: Pedophilia

read_with_loren's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.75

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Infidelity, Terminal illness, Kidnapping, Stalking, Murder, Pregnancy, and Gaslighting

Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Medical content, and Injury/Injury detail

atalea's review against another edition

dark tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I loved this book so much, I read it in a day! The book felt like it could have been a Black Mirror episode which is one of my favourite tv series of all time.

The book follows 5 different individuals in various stages of their lives as they decide to use their DNA in order to find their soulmate. The multiple PVO's led to various explorations of this topic and the consequences it had on their respective lives. The chapters were short which meant you were never too long with one POV and made for an addictive read.

If you're a fan of Black Mirror or just speculative fiction in general, I can highly recommend this book!

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Infidelity, Murder, and Pregnancy

Moderate: Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Kidnapping, and Grief

Minor: Miscarriage, Violence, and Suicide attempt

frantically's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

This made me root for a serial killer — make of that what you will.

I received "The One" years ago as a birthday present and picked it up again on a whim. At first I was a bit hesitant. There are five stories, that interact very very little until the end. 

But after a few 100 pages or so, I'd really gotten invested in 4/5 stories and wanted to see them continue. There were really surprising twists, that I didn't anticipate at all and towards the end, all the already short chapters (my fav) ended cliffhanger-ish and I couldn't put the book down anymore. Definitely one of my new favourite thrillers!

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Murder

Moderate: Death and Pregnancy

Minor: Miscarriage, Suicidal thoughts, Abortion, and Fire/Fire injury

triple_m's review against another edition

dark fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? It's complicated

3.75

A really fun concept, and with such short chapters will cliff hanger endings it was a fast and entertaining read. 

Of course, following five people, not all of the characters are going to be likable and the stories aren’t equally interesting. My least favorite to read about was Mandy.

I predicted like 90% of the “twists” but I still enjoyed the ride.

Really weird anti-abortion sentiment in the middle?????? The fuck was that about?

P.S. I would never in a million years consider this a romance and I’m annoyed that it’s categorized as one on here.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Infidelity, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, and Murder

Moderate: Cancer and Pregnancy