nixbix_reads's review against another edition
4.0
This book was a total surprise! Right from the start, I was pulled into Gertie & Rachael's lives at Apple Tree Creek. For the most part, this is a slow-paced story, and this worked for me - we gradually see the imperfections in Gertie & Rachael's marriages, and see the reality of life within their families. This slow reveal of information leads to an incident, and the pace picks up. I really liked the friendship that Gertie & Rachael built, and how they supported each other. This was a real page turner, and I had to know what happened!
Thanks to Pantera Press & NetGalley for the DRC in exchange for an honest review.
Thanks to Pantera Press & NetGalley for the DRC in exchange for an honest review.
amylgils's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
georgia_pogson's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse
busyreading's review against another edition
4.0
Apple Tree Creek in Sydney is a gated community consisting of many couples including young children and teenagers. From the outside world, it looks like the residents of Apple Tree Creek have it all with their manicured gardens and neighbors who seem to have it all. But all is not as it seems and this is where the story has the reader asking questions and will keep you guessing to the end.
An enjoyable book that touches on everyday topics that many can relate to. With thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for my digital copy to read and review. Recommended.
An enjoyable book that touches on everyday topics that many can relate to. With thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for my digital copy to read and review. Recommended.
shelleyrae's review against another edition
4.0
One of Us is a contemporary novel of domestic suspense from Australian author Kylie Kaden.
Within one of the architecturally designed homes behind the gates of the exclusive Apple Tree Creek Estate lies the body of a man, blood pooling on the living room floor from a deep stab wound. As a detective studies the scene, and the reactions of the man’s wife, Kaden shifts to the recent past, and focuses on two women, near neighbours Gert Rainworth and Rachel York, who meet and become friends just as their respective marriages are falling apart.
At a fairly measured pace, Kaden exposes the secrets, betrayals, and stresses that culminate in the introductory scene. Gertie is reeling from her husband’s acceptance of a year long transfer to his company’s Singapore office, and his decision to go alone, leaving her with their three children. Rachel, heavily pregnant with her third child, is increasingly exhausted by her husband’s serial philandering, and escalating control issues.
Gertie and Rachel, despite having little in common, form a supportive rapport that feels authentic, as they both struggle with their respective situations. Kaden has a real talent for portraying the familiar minutiae of domestic life, and explores the challenges of marriage and motherhood with empathy.
Stripping back the facade of privilege, wealth and security the community and its residents project, Kaden reveals a host of hidden dysfunctions, from the awful truths about Rachel’s husband, to a neighbours secret shame, and even the way in which the measures used by the gated estate to keep residents safe, can be perverted.
By the time the identity of the stabbed man is revealed, several characters prove to have reasonable motives for the attack. I enjoyed the puzzle of determining which was most likely, and was satisfied by the denouement.
One of Us is an suspenseful and entertaining suburban thriller, sure to appeal to fans of Liane Moriarty, Sally Hepworth and Lisa Jewell.
Within one of the architecturally designed homes behind the gates of the exclusive Apple Tree Creek Estate lies the body of a man, blood pooling on the living room floor from a deep stab wound. As a detective studies the scene, and the reactions of the man’s wife, Kaden shifts to the recent past, and focuses on two women, near neighbours Gert Rainworth and Rachel York, who meet and become friends just as their respective marriages are falling apart.
At a fairly measured pace, Kaden exposes the secrets, betrayals, and stresses that culminate in the introductory scene. Gertie is reeling from her husband’s acceptance of a year long transfer to his company’s Singapore office, and his decision to go alone, leaving her with their three children. Rachel, heavily pregnant with her third child, is increasingly exhausted by her husband’s serial philandering, and escalating control issues.
Gertie and Rachel, despite having little in common, form a supportive rapport that feels authentic, as they both struggle with their respective situations. Kaden has a real talent for portraying the familiar minutiae of domestic life, and explores the challenges of marriage and motherhood with empathy.
Stripping back the facade of privilege, wealth and security the community and its residents project, Kaden reveals a host of hidden dysfunctions, from the awful truths about Rachel’s husband, to a neighbours secret shame, and even the way in which the measures used by the gated estate to keep residents safe, can be perverted.
By the time the identity of the stabbed man is revealed, several characters prove to have reasonable motives for the attack. I enjoyed the puzzle of determining which was most likely, and was satisfied by the denouement.
One of Us is an suspenseful and entertaining suburban thriller, sure to appeal to fans of Liane Moriarty, Sally Hepworth and Lisa Jewell.
bridgetgoldthorp's review
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
booksweread's review against another edition
3.0
An affluent gated community where perfect people live their perfect lives with their perfect families…NOT.
A suspenseful domestic noir story of two women bonding over their strained, troubled marriages.
We know a man is injured, but we don’t find out who until much later. And the how and why is revealed bit by bit with all the juicy gossip that comes with living in a picture perfect, highly monitored estate.
I loved the relationship with Gertie and Rachael and all the flawed characters and relationships, the kids, the parenting, the teen angst, it was all very relatable.
Thanks to @panterapress, @betterreadingau and @kyliekadenwrites for a preview copy for #brpreview.
A suspenseful domestic noir story of two women bonding over their strained, troubled marriages.
We know a man is injured, but we don’t find out who until much later. And the how and why is revealed bit by bit with all the juicy gossip that comes with living in a picture perfect, highly monitored estate.
I loved the relationship with Gertie and Rachael and all the flawed characters and relationships, the kids, the parenting, the teen angst, it was all very relatable.
Thanks to @panterapress, @betterreadingau and @kyliekadenwrites for a preview copy for #brpreview.
roxyzen's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
chryssie's review
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Oh this book was very cool. A domestic thriller that was a fun and addictive read full of intrigue and suspense! I could not put this one down and highly recommend it!!
My favourite character was Gertie. She was such a real, relatable and honest version of an everyday Mum. Full of quirkiness, triumph and self-doubts as she blunders her way through motherhood, always trying her best… just like all of us Mum’s! Haha!! This is one of those books where you fall into the story and cannot stop reading as you absorb all the juicy details as things unfold, and the suspense just keeps building. I loved it!
A story full of husband’s behaving badly, the bonds of true friendship, teenagers and their secrets, and Mum’s who are trying to protect those they love and hold everything together… This book is a must read, full of emotion, excitement and shocks galore. Definitely add this one to your list!!
My favourite character was Gertie. She was such a real, relatable and honest version of an everyday Mum. Full of quirkiness, triumph and self-doubts as she blunders her way through motherhood, always trying her best… just like all of us Mum’s! Haha!! This is one of those books where you fall into the story and cannot stop reading as you absorb all the juicy details as things unfold, and the suspense just keeps building. I loved it!
A story full of husband’s behaving badly, the bonds of true friendship, teenagers and their secrets, and Mum’s who are trying to protect those they love and hold everything together… This book is a must read, full of emotion, excitement and shocks galore. Definitely add this one to your list!!