Book Review: The One by John Marrs

The One

by John Marrs

Published:
March 1, 2018

Publisher:
Hanover Square Press

Source:
Audiobook
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Book Summary:

How far would you go to find The One?

A simple DNA test is all it takes. Just a quick mouth swab and soon you’ll be matched with your perfect partner—the one you’re genetically made for. 

That’s the promise made by Match Your DNA. A decade ago, the company announced that they had found the gene that pairs each of us with our soul mate. Since then, millions of people around the world have been matched. But the discovery has its downsides: test results have led to the breakup of countless relationships and upended the traditional ideas of dating, romance and love. 

Now five very different people have received the notification that they’ve been “Matched.” They’re each about to meet their one true love. But “happily ever after” isn’t guaranteed for everyone. Because even soul mates have secrets. And some are more shocking than others… 

A word-of-mouth hit in the United Kingdom, The One is a fascinating novel that shows how even the simplest discoveries can have complicated consequences.

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My Thoughts:

The One was an enthralling story with a unique and intriguing premise!  What if a DNA test could detect our perfect match or soulmate?  I listened with Audible to this highly entertaining, fast-paced, light science-fiction thriller.

We get five main characters, each telling their unique story in relation to Match Your DNA.  It was difficult at first keeping track of five different characters, their perfect matches, as well as secondary characters in each of their stories.  I usually prefer no more that three points of view in a story. However, I liked that each character had their own narrator, and each track was a different character.  The author gave us five different stories, which he rotated in a specific order, and eventually, I was able to keep track of everyone.

We learn early on that everything isn't as easy, happy, and cut and dry as you would think it would be, when finding your perfect DNA match.  Some of these characters are already in committed relationships.  What if your "one" is much older or younger than you, deceased, terminally ill, a serial killer, or the same sex as you are, when you don't consider yourself gay?  These are scenarios that play out with our characters, as well as thought provoking questions about morality.

The pacing of this story was super fast, which I appreciated!  This was due to short chapters, with a mini cliffhanger or exciting revelation at the end of each chapter.  The One was not a character driven story, as we don't really delve deep into who each character is.  The information we get about them is very surface level.  I would instead classify this story as plot driven.

The One was not my typical read, but it was chosen as my book club's read for the month of March, and I was excited to venture out of my comfort zone.  I ended up enjoying this story so much, and was excited to learn that it's coming to Netflix!  If you enjoy light science fiction thrillers, with a lot of excitement, and entertainment, I would recommend checking out the audible book of, The One, by John Marrs!

About the Author:

John Marrs is the author of The One, The Good Samaritan, When You Disappeared, Her Last Move and Welcome to Wherever You Are. 

A former freelance journalist based in London, England, he spent twenty-five years interviewing celebrities from the world of television, film and music for national newspapers and magazines until becoming a full-time author in 2018. 

He has written for publications including the Guardian’s Guide and Guardian Online, Total Film, Huffington Post, Empire, Q, GT, the Independent, S Magazine and Company. 

His books have been translated into twenty different languages and The One is soon to be a major new Netflix series.

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