This is a psychological thriller that for the most part kept me engaged. However, at several parts, it really lagged, and became difficult to continue reading. I wanted to DNF the book a number of times, especially near the middle of the book.

The book has too many characters. Every possible person, no matter how insignificant, is named. Many are only mentioned once and never appear again. Also, was it really necessary to have three of the main character’s name start with the same letter? That was somewhat confusing. Additionally, the book is too long and bloated. It could easily been a tighter and better book if 100 pages were cut. The length caused the book to bog down in several places.

Realize that none of the characters are honest. They all have secrets they desire to keep hidden and all are flawed. They all make bad decisions, often hurting the people they claim to love the most.

My biggest issue is the ending. It is ridiculous and absurd. The author has written several books and should have been able to write a better ending to the book. The reader’s emotions are jerked around at the end and it was not appreciated.

Overall, it is a two-star book, but had it contained fewer characters and 100 less pages, it could easily have been a four star book. ( )

Best book so far in 2023!
It takes a domestic thriller to the next level and once I started reading, I couldn’t stop.

This book spins infertility and donor sperm births on its head.
This is one high flying adrenaline ride you don’t want to miss and that ending…wow it completely blew my mind!!

I’m a huge fan of JT Ellison and this might be her best book yet! Make sure you read the author’s note at the end as she has personal experience with infertility and miscarriage!

I applaud you J. T. for sharing such a personal experience you have had for others to read and you are correct it should be made more aware. I shared that journey also. ( )

It’s One of Us by J.T. Ellison is a book that I struggled get through. The author’s style of writing made it impossible for me to get into the story. I found the writing to be choppy. The point-of-view alternates between several characters (too many in my opinion). I like that we are told at the beginning of each chapter who is narrating. I was not a fan of any of the characters. The author did not give the readers a character they could like and relate to (we need a likeable protagonist). I was hoping the mystery would be complicated and twisty. The mystery is extremely easy to solve. I correctly solved part of the whodunit before the end of the first chapter. I was surprised when the author revealed the killer’s identity halfway through the book (talk about a BIG no no). I was tempted to toss the book across the room at this point. Olivia and her husband, Park have been trying to conceive. We get to see how the experience affects a couple emotionally and physically. From the way the author described how it affected Olivia; I can tell that infertility is something the author has experienced personally. I wish Olivia had been a sympathetic character instead of a self-serving whiner. Olivia’s self-worth depends upon a man (I guess Olivia did not get the memo that it is 2023). She should have been a confident woman (she has a successful career, good looks, and she is intelligent—for the most part). Infertility seems to be a popular topic in novels lately (it has been overdone). It’s One of Us has my biggest pet peeve which is a love triangle. Some of the secrets or revelations are hard to believe (I wondered if we had entered an alternate reality). I found myself rolling my eyes often. At the end when the final secret is revealed, it is anticlimactic. It ended just as I predicted after reading the first chapter. I was very happy when I turned the last page of It’s One of Us. ( )

It’s One of Us by J. T. Ellison
Contemporary thriller. Multiple POV and timelines.
DNA results show that the prime suspect in a murder is Park’s son. His wife, Olivia, is shocked because as far as she knows, Park doesn’t have any children. Park concurs and tells the police he doesn’t have any children. But further investigation, and pressure on Park, has him admitting that he donated to a sperm bank in his college years. A second victim is found. Pressure from police and news reporters put Olivia and Park under the microscope as well as the donation clinic. Turns out they didn’t limit usage and it seems there are more than just a few children.

A mystery and thriller that will have you guessing over and over again. Who is telling the truth? Who knows more than they are admitting to? How many offspring can there actually be?
I enjoyed this a lot. The suspense was well done and the suspect list grew. Chapter headings told you the POV. The audiobook is narrated by Julie Whelan and is wonderful. ( )

Olivia and Park Bender are desperately trying for a baby, but Olivia keeps miscarrying. Then, when a woman is found dead, the police come to the Bender's home with news. There has been a DNA match to Park, but it is not an exact match, it is from his son. Park is dumbfounded, he doesn't have a son. Then, he realizes that he donated sperm years earlier, and as a result, there are many offspring of his.
A daughter is running a group called "the halves" which are all his children. They realize that the murderer is "one of us".
This puts another strain on Olivia and Park's marriage. Park's past resurfaces, he was close to a few women who were found dead. Is Park guilty? Perry, his twin, returns from Europe, and he and Olivia also have a past. Secrets may unravel this marriage. ( )