Book description

One simple mouth swab is all it takes .

One tiny DNA test to find your perfect partner – the one you’re genetically made for.

A decade after scientists discover everyone has a gene they share with just one person, millions have taken the test, desperate to find true love.

Now, five more people take the test. But even soul mates have secrets.

And some are more shocking, heartbreaking and deadlier than others.

(Note: Previously published as A Thousand Small Explosions)

Oh WOW I just loved The One by John Marrs, he’s already gone on my list of “must read authors” after reading this awesome novel. With a highly original theme and one which intrigued me from the very first page, a cliche I know but I really struggled to put this book down. Forget on line dating services or blind dates, your perfect match is somewhere waiting for you, send a mouth swab off and let the computer find your DNA match. It never fails! or so the blurb would have you believe! But don’t think for one minute this is a love story, mark my words it’s anything but. Everyone knows true love doesn’t run smoothly and John Marrs shows how incredibly twisted and messed up relationships can get even when you think you’ve found your perfect match, unfortunately the DNA test doesn’t take into account human nature, feelings and beliefs.

The One is told in the third person but it follows five very different characters on their journey, to find their one true love. Some of the characters are more complex than others, but each one has an unique story to tell, and I found myself desperate to find out how each of there story’s would evolve. Although the story is told from so many POV the author manages to move from one character to the next fluidly, it took me a few chapters to get used to the constant switching of characters, but once I did I was well and truly hooked. I really loved the way the author made the chapters short and snappy leaving each one on a cliff hanger, for me it just meant I kept promising myself “one more chapter” and before I knew it I had nearly finished this compelling read.

As the novel takes twists and turns galore, some of which I guessed, others that left me shaking my head in astonishment I couldn’t help applauding the author on his ability to keep the reader guessing until the last few chapters. I couldn’t help thinking this book is much more than a thriller it has depth, it explores themes in relationships which certainly make for a thought provoking read. A relationship based on DNA may seem far fetched but interestingly enough after reading this novel I’m convinced it’s something that could happen in years to come. Would I take the test? Not in a million years! A brilliant premise John Marrs has written a fabulous book that I would recommend to anyone and everyone.

5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐out of 5

Print Length: 368 pages

Publisher: Ebury Digital (26 Jan. 2017)

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