The One by John Marrs

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🧬 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.

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