Thursday 26 January 2017

BLOG TOUR: The One - John Marrs



How far would you go to find THE ONE?

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 - and deadlier - than others...

A psychological thriller with a difference, this is a truly unique novel which is guaranteed to keep you on the edge of your seat.

What did I think?

Many people have turned to online dating to find their other half, but in The One, John Marrs takes online dating to the next level.  A gene responsible for love at first sight has been identified and through a website called 'Match Your DNA' you can take a test to discover your perfect match.  What if a simple DNA test could match you with the person you are meant to be with, The One?  Would you take the test?  The characters in The One have all taken the test and as we follow them on their journey it quickly becomes clear that not everyone is destined for a happy ever after.

Each chapter is based on one of the 5 main characters and their matches.  At first I thought it would be confusing, but the chapters are so short that you quickly come back to each character and you get to know them all very quickly.

Mandy can't believe her luck when she is matched with Richard and she can't stop looking at his handsome photos on Facebook.  But why has he not responded to her email?  As Mandy digs a bit further into Richard's private life she discovers the reason for his lack of response but she still has a chance at happiness.

Christopher has just murdered a woman when he gets the results of his Match Your DNA test.  Can a psychopath ever feel love and how long can he keep his secret killing spree hidden from his match, Amy?  Especially when Amy is a policewoman...

We then meet Jade who is living with her parents in Sunderland and is matched with Kevin, also living with his parents but in Australia. Do the pair have a future together, living so far apart?  When Jade decides to take a spontaneous trip to Australia she is shocked to find that Kevin doesn't want to meet her.  She won't take no for an answer so turns up at his front door to discover the devastating secret that Kevin has been hiding from her.

Nick is happily engaged to Sally but, after pressure from their friends, they decide to take the test to make sure that they are meant for each other.  Of course, the test comes back with a match for Nick and it's not Sally...it's not even a woman.  Can their relationship survive now that they know they aren't matched?  What would happen if Nick decided to meet his match?  Nick can't resist the temptation to meet Alex just to prove that he's not gay, but he could never have imagined the burst of feelings that he'd get when their eyes met.

Ellie is a successful businesswoman who only ever comes into contact with rich, shallow men.  When her match comes through and it's nice, normal Timothy, Ellie shrugs off her rich, successful persona and decides to take a chance on Tim.  Ellie is surprised when she doesn't feel sparks flying but Tim feels an immediate connection and wears his heart on his sleeve.  As they spend more time together, Ellie's feelings for Tim grow but is it because of the match gene or is she falling in love the traditional way?

Put on your virtual running shoes as you will absolutely race through The One.  I couldn't put it down and it really gets you thinking about how we approach love and relationships.  In this 21st Century world, where people have little time to meet their partner, it is no surprise that online dating is big business.  As you can be anybody you want to be in the virtual online world, there are perhaps more sharks than fish in the sea.  I started The One thinking, 'Yes, I'd take the test'.  It would certainly save some time wading through the fake facades that people wear.  As I read on and the pitfalls and dangers of the DNA test became clear, and knowing my luck I'd be matched with a psychopath in Australia, I would definitely leave meeting my 'one' up to chance and risk being crazy lonely old book lady.

I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:




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About the Author

John Marrs is a freelance journalist based in London, England, who has spent the last 20 years interviewing celebrities from the world of television, film and music for national newspapers and magazines.

He has written for publications including The Guardian's Guide and Guardian Online; OK! Magazine; Total Film; Empire; Q; GT; The Independent; Star; Reveal; Company; Daily Star and News of the World's Sunday Magazine.

His debut novel The Wronged Sons, was released in 2013 and in May 2015, he released his second book, Welcome To Wherever You Are.

In July 2016 came his third novel A Thousand Small Explosions.

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