Week 12 Review: It's One of Us

From Goodreads:

Everybody lies. Even the ones you think you know best of all . . .

Olivia Bender designs exquisite home interiors that satisfy the most demanding clients. But her own deepest desire can't be fulfilled by marble counters or the perfect rug. She desperately wants to be a mother. Fertility treatments and IVF keep failing. And just when she feels she's at her lowest point, the police deliver shocking news to Olivia and her husband, Park.

DNA results show that the prime suspect in a murder investigation is Park's son. Olivia is relieved, knowing this is a mistake. Despite their desire, the Benders don't have any children. Then comes the confession. Many years ago, Park donated sperm to a clinic. He has no idea how many times it was sold—or how many children he has sired.

As the murder investigation goes deeper, more terrible truths come to light. With every revelation, Olivia must face the unthinkable. The man she married has fathered a killer. But can she hold that against him when she keeps such dark secrets of her own?

This twisting, emotionally layered thriller explores the lies we tell to keep a marriage together--or break each other apart . . .

My Review:
Oh man, this book was such an incredible read! I've loved J.T. Ellison's books from the beginning, but I knew that this was a personal subject for her, that she's had her own infertility journey. The pain that these characters deal with is very clear to see in these pages. 

To be honest, I don't want kids, I don't want the crushing responsibility of raising another human being. So while I can't understand the want to have them, I can feel for the pain of having trouble in the process of trying to have them. Especially in cases like this, with fertility treatments that crank up the hormones and result in so many hopes dashed. 

The whole concept of this book-of a couple dealing with infertility, when it comes out that his son-because he was a sperm bank donor-left his DNA at a crime scene, is a suspect in a crime? Yeah, that's a pretty difficult and compelling idea! 

I really enjoyed the way this was told, with all of these various perspectives, the wife, the husband, the donor, the brother, even the murderer on occasion. It brought the whole depth of the story, of all the twists and turns in the mystery, including some pretty shocking reveals! Plus that script write out for the documentary at the end was pretty cool!

This was an utterly incredible read, and I can't wait to read more by J.T. Ellison! 

Author: J.T. Ellison 
Read: March 24th, 2023 
Source: Edelweiss/Library
Reason Why: Love her writing and it sounded really great, and it's a SAC 2023 Book and a WoW Book! 
Publisher: MIRA 
Published: February 21st 2023

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars