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coffeekitaab's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Told from multiple POVs, we open the story with Cole Simmons, one of our "good guys". Following his failed marriage of seven years to Mel, Cole is shattered, unable to establish how things have become so terrible that he and his wife have become estranged, and defeated, Cole moves out of the family home in London to the countryside for a fresh start. There Cole meets Lenora, an indie artist, and they become fast friends. When two young activists go missing in the area whilst doing a charity walk to raise awareness of violence against women, Cole and Lenora find themselves at the centre of a police investigation. Suddenly, it seems there is more to the story than meets the eye...
After a slow start, trying to get my head in the right frame of mind, I found the first half particularly gripping. From Cole's perspective, there are so many aspects to his psyche where he justifies behaviour/actions which would make the hairs on your back stand on end and is a real eye-opener. You want to sympathise with his circumstances; he comes across a victim to his ill-treatment after all the genuine care and concern he has for Mel but there is a darker undertone. It almost felt the more we delved into his mind and the further into the book we got, the deeper the feeling of dread and it was a definite moment where you felt we were going to reach a crescendo.
And the crescendo came in the form of Mel's side of the story. Incredibly relatable and for many readers, I can imagine they will feel as if they're looking in the mirror, even if it is with a single aspect. The development/he said-she said aspect was very well written and was fast paced, I believe Mel's relationship with Cole is told from individual moments that happen in each year of the relationship, and it truly is a jaw-dropping realisation when it dawns on you just how messed up things really are.
Feminist literature is my go-to. The blurb is usually enough to rope me in, and this was the case with One Of The Good Guys. I laud the premise of the book and exploring the mind of a man who genuinely believes he is prioritising women's wellbeing with each thought/act and how this can be brought out in a thriller/mystery setting. Sadly for me, there was too much going on, the second half in particular, threw me off. I understand and appreciate the author's reasoning for taking the story in the direction it went but I didn't enjoy it unfortunately. I would highly recommend the audiobook as the latter third of the book is littered heavily with social media/podcast/news broadcasts of the case and the different narrators made that part enjoyable, which would not come across in a print version.
I know this one will sit like marmite with readers and regardless of my thoughts on the ending, I was still eager to know what happened throughout so if you are similarly curious, this is definitely one for you. Please do check trigger warnings before reading this as there are many sensitive topics discussed in great detail.
Thank you to Netgalley and Pan Macmillan for an advanced copy of the book in exchange for an honest unedited review!
Graphic: Rape, Sexual violence, Violence, Infertility, Sexual assault, Blood, Emotional abuse, Toxic friendship, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Gaslighting, Misogyny, and Toxic relationship
ris23's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Misogyny, Miscarriage, Mental illness, Violence, Sexual content, Sexual assault, Panic attacks/disorders, Murder, Stalking, Sexual violence, Sexism, Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship, Suicidal thoughts, Rape, Physical abuse, and Infertility
naereads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Animal death, Police brutality, Gaslighting, Domestic abuse, Stalking, Violence, Rape, Emotional abuse, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Miscarriage, Death of parent, Death, Infertility, and Sexual assault
hdperez13's review against another edition
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Graphic: Rape, Toxic relationship, and Sexual violence
hazelgirl21's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Gaslighting and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Infertility
Minor: Medical content
wasabiapple's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Gaslighting, Misogyny, and Infertility
Moderate: Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, Rape, and Sexual assault
Minor: Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, and Domestic abuse
batforanna's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Animal death, Gaslighting, Misogyny, Sexual violence, Infertility, Miscarriage, Animal cruelty, Grief, Sexual harassment, Death of parent, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Murder, Violence, Domestic abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, and Toxic relationship
foldingthepage_kayleigh's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Reminded me a bit of Yellowface with the focus on unlikeable narrators doing things that make you want to pull your hair out. The multiple POVs kept the story fresh and interesting, made all the more lively with multiple narrators.
The ending was a bit chaotic listening on audios since it covers a mixed media approach to storytelling, but the additional musical stings and text/email sounds did help portray the formats.
This would make a great book club read as there are so many points rich for discussion. Overall, an interesting commentary on gender-based violence that challenged me to really stop and reflect.
Graphic: Infertility, Animal death, Sexual assault, Gore, Blood, Violence, Toxic relationship, Sexual violence, Misogyny, Medical content, Stalking, Gaslighting, Sexism, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, and Medical trauma
thespinystacks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Sexism
Moderate: Violence, Murder, Infertility, Vomit, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Blood
ginandbookish's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book is so thought-provoking and simultaneously stunning and sickening. This has been written for the #metoo #reclaimthesestreets generation. Was it captivating? Yes. Was it uncomfortable reading? Definitely. However, this is a truly unique idea and a book that also taught me a great deal. Totally enthralling.
Graphic: Toxic relationship
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Rape, Misogyny, and Sexual assault
Minor: Death of parent and Child abuse