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A review by nadiamasood
One of Our Own by Lucinda Berry
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Okay, so first of all, I checked the reviews that gave this book a low rating. Most of them complain that the story was predictable and that it was easy to surmise who committed the crime. Well, I mean, isn't it already obvious from the book title itself?
For me, this fast-paced thriller isn’t mainly about <i>“who did it?”</i>. It’s more about a minor going through the unthinkable pain and trauma of sexual assault - feeling hurt, angry, confused, and extremely alone. It’s about perfectly happy and brilliant children doing bad things and lying to their parents. It’s about dealing with the shock of finding out that the crime is committed by someone you love with all your heart and soul and finding the strength and courage to do what’s right.
Prepare yourselves before diving in. The content this story centers on is brutal, and the author—a former childhood trauma specialist—does not shy away from the darkness involved here. The story is loosely based on her personal experiences with clients. It explores heavy themes such as suicide, domestic violence, and sexual assault. So while labeled a thriller, this is a real-world horror!
Despite its brevity, the audiobook manages to skillfully develop its characters within a span of less than 4 hours. What stood out to me was the deliberate choice to avoid dwelling on the specifics of Chloe’s trauma. Instead, the narrative prioritized clinical sensitivity, emphasizing the support and empathy provided by Felicia.
The part that hit the hardest for me was Felicia’s relationship with her son. I can’t begin to imagine how devastating it must be to fear the child you’ve loved with your entire being.
Narrators A.J. Cook and Tessa Albertson truly breathed life into the content. Rather than merely reading the story, they acted it out, allowing listeners to experience the fear and devastation through their voices. The inclusion of the phone call voice was a brilliant choice, intensifying the impact of the narrative.
For me, this fast-paced thriller isn’t mainly about <i>“who did it?”</i>. It’s more about a minor going through the unthinkable pain and trauma of sexual assault - feeling hurt, angry, confused, and extremely alone. It’s about perfectly happy and brilliant children doing bad things and lying to their parents. It’s about dealing with the shock of finding out that the crime is committed by someone you love with all your heart and soul and finding the strength and courage to do what’s right.
Prepare yourselves before diving in. The content this story centers on is brutal, and the author—a former childhood trauma specialist—does not shy away from the darkness involved here. The story is loosely based on her personal experiences with clients. It explores heavy themes such as suicide, domestic violence, and sexual assault. So while labeled a thriller, this is a real-world horror!
Despite its brevity, the audiobook manages to skillfully develop its characters within a span of less than 4 hours. What stood out to me was the deliberate choice to avoid dwelling on the specifics of Chloe’s trauma. Instead, the narrative prioritized clinical sensitivity, emphasizing the support and empathy provided by Felicia.
The part that hit the hardest for me was Felicia’s relationship with her son. I can’t begin to imagine how devastating it must be to fear the child you’ve loved with your entire being.
Narrators A.J. Cook and Tessa Albertson truly breathed life into the content. Rather than merely reading the story, they acted it out, allowing listeners to experience the fear and devastation through their voices. The inclusion of the phone call voice was a brilliant choice, intensifying the impact of the narrative.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, and Suicidal thoughts