The One by John Marrs
🧬 The One by John Marrs — Full Review + Spoilers
“What if a DNA test could find your soulmate… but ruined your entire life in the process?”
⚠️ Trigger Warnings
This book dives into some dark, twisty stuff. Expect:
-
Serial murder + graphic descriptions
-
Infidelity + relationship breakdowns
-
Terminal illness and death
-
Pregnancy + child loss/abduction
-
Corporate corruption and unethical science
-
Violence + manipulation
📚 Quick Facts
-
Title: The One
-
Author: John Marrs
-
Genre: Speculative Fiction / Thriller / Multi‑POV Drama
-
Published: 2017
-
Premise: A DNA test guarantees finding your soulmate… but at what cost?
-
My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
🚨 Spoiler Warning
Major twists ahead (including THAT ending). If you want the suspense intact, stop here and grab the book first!
🧬 Plot Summary (FULL SPOILERS)
“What if love was in your genes?”
The One follows five different people whose lives are changed by Match Your DNA, a company claiming it can scientifically find your one true soulmate via genetic testing. Each storyline explores what happens when science meets love — and chaos ensues.
Mandy – The Match Who’s (Almost) Dead
-
Mandy is lonely and thrilled when she’s matched with Richard… until she discovers he’s dead.
-
Except, plot twist: Richard’s in a coma, brain activity flatlined. Mandy bonds with Richard’s family and agrees to carry his baby via stored sperm (yep, it’s complicated).
-
Richard’s manipulative mother Pat and sister Chloe steal Mandy’s baby after a scuffle; eventually, Mandy recovers her child and the thieves are arrested.
Christopher – The Serial Killer in Love
-
Christopher is a serial killer (fun!) who’s matched with Amy — a police officer.
-
He unexpectedly falls for her, making him question his hobby (you know, murder).
-
Amy eventually uncovers who he is and — in a jaw‑dropping moment — kills him with his own murder weapon (a cheese wire), burns the body, and covers up the crime.
Jade – The Wrong Brother
-
Jade travels to Australia to meet her Match, Kevin, who’s terminally ill.
-
She stays to comfort him, but she’s secretly drawn to Kevin’s older brother, Mark.
-
After Kevin dies, Mark confesses he switched the DNA results: he is Jade’s real Match.
-
Furious yet conflicted, Jade still sets off traveling — and Mark joins her last‑minute (swoony? messy? yes).
Nick – The Match That Changes Everything
-
Nick’s happily engaged to Sally but takes the DNA test anyway.
-
He’s shocked when he’s matched to Alex — a man (Nick has only dated women).
-
Nick tries to resist Alex, fails spectacularly, and falls in love — causing chaos with Sally.
-
Sally dies during childbirth (from an aneurysm), and Nick raises the baby (not biologically his) with Alex, moving to New Zealand to start fresh.
Ellie – The CEO’s Worst Nightmare
-
Ellie, CEO of Match Your DNA, finally gets a Match notification — after 10 years.
-
Her Match, Tim, isn’t who he says he is: he’s Matthew, son of a woman destroyed by the company’s unethical early practices.
-
Matthew infiltrated the company for revenge — and reveals the system has been compromised, with fake Matches given to unsuspecting users.
-
Ellie murders Matthew during a confrontation — and it’s live-streamed to the internet.
The Big Twist Ending
The story closes with lingering questions:
-
How many Matches were fake?
-
Are the happy endings… actually happy?
-
Can love survive if it’s engineered — or worse, corrupted?
John Marrs leaves us deliciously unsettled — exactly the kind of ending that lingers.
🎯 My Review
What I Loved
-
The concept. A soulmate found by science? Mind‑blowing AND terrifying.
-
Multiple POVs. Each storyline felt distinct, twisty, and bingeable.
-
The moral questions. Would I take this test? (Answer: still debating.)
-
That final twist. The contamination reveal adds so much delicious uncertainty.
What I Didn’t
-
Some endings felt a little rushed (Ellie’s trial, Nick’s resolution).
-
Christopher’s storyline = wild, but also super dark (brace yourself).
Overall
5/5 stars. Gripping, provocative, and a perfect “what if?” thriller. Easily my favorite John Marrs so far.
🌟 Similar Reads You Might Like
-
The Passengers by John Marrs (self-driving cars + moral dilemmas)
-
Before This Is Over by Amanda Hickie (pandemic family thriller)
-
Behind Her Eyes by Sarah Pinborough (twisty relationship suspense)
🛒 Where to Buy
Grab The One on Amazon here (affiliate link)
Final Thoughts
The One asks: If science could guarantee true love, would you risk everything to know? It’s equal parts romantic, chilling, and mind‑bending — and will leave you side‑eyeing every dating app you’ve ever downloaded.
Comments
Post a Comment