I’ve only got one book to share today but it’s one I’ve had my eye on for quite some time. I sat on the fence for a while, until reviews told me I should risk the plunge, and I’m glad I did. This is already a Netflix series, and although I haven’t seen any of the episodes I’m curious how these intriguing stories (there are several plot lines to follow) will play out on TV.
BOOK BLURB:
Now on Netflix!
The USA Today bestseller
A Wall Street Journal Best Science Fiction Book of 2018
“Just try to put this gripping thriller down once you pick it up.” —AARP
“A shock on every other page.” —Wall Street Journal
How far would you go to find The One?
A simple DNA test is all it takes. Just a quick mouth swab and soon you’ll be matched with your perfect partner—the one you’re genetically made for.
That’s the promise made by Match Your DNA. A decade ago, the company announced that they had found the gene that pairs each of us with our soul mate. Since then, millions of people around the world have been matched. But the discovery has its downsides: test results have led to the breakup of countless relationships and upended the traditional ideas of dating, romance and love.
Now five very different people have received the notification that they’ve been “Matched.” They’re each about to meet their one true love. But “happily ever after” isn’t guaranteed for everyone. Because even soul mates have secrets. And some are more shocking than others…
A word-of-mouth hit in the United Kingdom, The One is a fascinating novel that shows how even the simplest discoveries can have complicated consequences.
MY REVIEW:
A DNA gene has been discovered to match you with your perfect mate—your soul mate, or “the one” you are meant to spend your life with. In. Marrs’ novel, the reader follows the lives of five different couples who have been matched. Told in third person POV, chapters alternate between couples from the moment they discover they’ve been matched. And no, this is definitely NOT a romance novel. Each situation is unique, bringing complications and problems, with an intriguing twist per couple. I found the chapters easy to follow. Swift pacing and hook chapter endings kept me so engrossed, I finished the book in two days.
There are several surprises in store, some bigger than the others, with a final series of twists that explode one after the other. It’s difficult to say anything about each couple situation without giving away spoilers, but all five story lines are highly interesting. This one would make for great book club discussions.
From the Pen of Mae Clair 
This sounds really different, I’m going to add it to my list 😊 I haven’t seen it on Netflix but I haven’t been on there for a while, been reading too much 🤣
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Jenny, I’m the same way. There are shows I want to catch up with (like this one), but I always pick up a book instead, LOL! Glad this one has you intrigued.
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I have read other good reviews of this book, Mae. It is very creepy because with the pandemic and our lives changing the way they have, this seems like something that could happen.
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I agree, Robbie. Especially when you read the book. It’s so believable to imagine it unfolding in the near future. A highly engrossing story!
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Will have to look into this, hadn’t heard of the Netflix series.
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Fragile, I only heard about the Netflix series when I picked up the book. I still haven’t been able to catch the show, but the book was awesome.
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Stop it you temptress you!
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HAHAHA!
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Wonderful review Mae. I hope you and Fraggle don’t mind me jumping in, but The One also has two loosely connected follow-ups: The Passengers and The Minders.☺️
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Really? Thanks for that, Kim. I had no idea. I’m going to have to check those out!
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Just checked them both out. I think I will definitely read The Minders. I’m not so sure about The Passengers. I’m worried if I’d like that one given the premise!
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They’re both quick reads. I reviewed The Minders (4 stars), but not The Passengers, but if I had I’d probably have given it 4.5 stars. It was definitely scary though.
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Thanks. Good to know!
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Wow, what a premise. Thanks for sharing your review, Mae.
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My pleasure, Jill. The premise is so different, yet seems like it’s something that could happen in the not so distant future. Very scary!
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Sounds very interesting. Thank you for the review, Mae. Will add it to my reading list.
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Hi, Smitha. Thanks for stopping by to check out the review. I’m glad to hear it has you intrigued enough to add the book to your reading list. I found it highly entertaining!
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I have this on my Netflix list to watch, lols. Sounds like a fantastic read. Great review, Mae. Thanks for sharing 🙂
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I hope the show is as good as the book, Harmony. I haven’t seen it yet but really need to make an effort to catch it, now that I’ve read the story. It was awesome!
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I’ll probably get the book too 😂
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Can’t wait to see what you think of it, Harmony!
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Sounds intriguing Mae and putting on my next Amazon run and will look out for on Netflix too…hugsx
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That’s great, Sally. I hope you enjoy both the book and the show. I need to catch the show myself, LOL. {{hugs}}
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Gosh, I hope science never determines our perfect matches. I like Dear Husband and my silly mis-matches. Makes for interesting dinner discussions.:-) Good review, Mae!
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Priscilla, this book makes for excellent dinner (and book club) discussions. Especially with the way everything plays out. It really makes you think. But my DH is my soulmate, regardless of what DNA testing might say, LOL!
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This sounds so unique, Mae, and I haven’t even heard of the series. I’m going to check it out. Excellent review, and thank you for sharing! 🧡
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I’m glad it has you intrigued, Mischenko. It was really different and so well done. Plus some of the matchings will make your jaw drop!
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Sounds interesting. And a bit bizzaar.
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It was thoroughly bizarre, Joan, and sooooo good! 🙂
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How have I not heard about this book? And I’m totally looking it up on Netflix. I can just imagine the types of problems that would come up. Thanks for the great review and rec, Mae!
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Teri, I think you would like this one. I have to catch it on Netflix, too. Wait until you see some of the couple pairings. One, in particular, was just crazy!
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That’s a fascinating premise. I haven’t heard of the book or the series. Thanks for sharing.
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I think you would like this one, Staci. It’s so unusual and some very strange pairings. I need to catch the series on Netflix and see if it’s as good as the book!
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Cool concept, and I can see how it fits a series format. New characters, same basis.
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I have a feeling Netflix series will conclude with the conclusion of the book, but it is a great concept!
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Huh! I hadn’t heard of this one but it definitely sounds interesting and one I would enjoy. And a new Netflix must try 🙌. Wonderful review!
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I saw this one around the blogosphere and was on the fence about it, until all the reviews I read came back so positive. Now I understand why.
And I have to give the Netflix series a try, too! 🙂
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Saw this on Netflix but haven’t watched it. Will try the book first, MC! Thanks! (or not)
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LOL! Well, you what the say about the book always being better . . . 🙂
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Wow! What a unique premise. Sounds wonderful at first, but nothing is that easy, and once you think about it, there could be odd complications. This sounds really intriguing.
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Definitely complications, Judi. Many of them. I think that’s what made this book so intriguing. It doesn’t play out as expected.
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I wouldn’t have picked this one but the fact that you like it so much, well, I’m rethinking.
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It’s different, Jacqui. I was unsure about it and hedged on taking the plunge for the longest time, but it kept me enthralled cover to cover. I’m glad I took a chance on it.
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Bizarre! Science-fiction is wildly imaginative and could provoke heated discussions! Thanks for sharing this Mae.
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I like your use of “wildly imaginative,” Balroop. This book definitely falls into that category, yet it’s scary to think there might already be scientists out there working on a like concept. Bizarre and scary!
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I love the sound of DNA matches and can only image the issues behind it. I haven’t heard of the show on Netflix either. Great review, Mae!
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Thanks, Denise. It was a departure from my usual reading, but most entertaining!
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Finished Survive the Night and The Perfect Guests is waiting for me at the library! Thanks for the great recommendations!
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Woohoo! I hope you liked Survive the Night. And The Perfect Guests is sooo good. I’m so glad you were able to snag them both, Betsy!
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I certainly did enjoy Survive the Night. The first couple of twists were great. The last one I saw coming b/c there was only one person left who could be the bad guy! 🙂
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I agree. I think by that time, it was expected the reader knew who the bad guy was, but wow, some of those other twists, LOL!
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Glad you enjoyed this one, Mae! You’re so right about the chapter endings keeping one hooked, I couldn’t put this one down. There is so much to explore about this premise that I’m tempted to write something on it too.
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Your review was the one that sold me on it, Peachy. I’m so glad I took the plunge because it was an awesome read. And you’re right—there is so much to explore behind the idea!
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That is so great to hear, Mae, thanks! 🥰
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I just checked out Netflix. The series was released on March 12 this year and it has 8 episodes. It seems like another interesting sci-fi novel/movie. The new generations these days are open to online dating, so they may be interested in DNA match. Great review, Mae!
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Thanks for letting me know about Netflix, Miriam. I haven’t checked out the series yet, but I want to give it a try. I loved the book, and look forward to seeing how the series matches up. I agree with you about younger generations, too, although int he book, some of the characters are older as well!
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Ooh, I can see all kinds of complications arising from this plotline- smart concept!
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There were complications aplenty, Jacquie. I really twisty read!
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Wow, fascinating storyline. Thank you for showcasing it and sharing your review, Mae. I’m intrigued.
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I’m glad the review intrigued you, Gwen. It was a fascinating and compelling read!
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Oh, this sounds really good, Mae. I will have to look for it on Netflix. I love the premise. Thank you for sharing!
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I can see it making a great series. I have to catch up with it on Netflix too, Jan!
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I don’t have netflix anymore, but kudos to the author! Thanks for the review, Mae.
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