Title: ONE LITTLE MISTAKE
Author: Lucinda Berry
Narrator: Brittany Pressley
Publisher: Audible Originals
Duration: 2 hours 23 minutes
Source: Audible
When overwhelmed stay-at-home mom Alexis finds herself at odds with her husband after she’s charged with a DUI, she is given one chance to get her family back: complete AA and admit her faults. The problem is, she’s never had a drinking problem and has no idea what caused the blackout that led to her arrest. Still, she’s committed to working through the program if that’s what it takes to be reunited with her two young children. But when she connects with a new friend, Farrah – a confident, successful powerhouse of a woman Alexis can’t help but idolize – she’s empowered to take a closer look at her husband’s role in her downfall. What she finds shocks her to her core, quickly spiralling into something more sinister than she ever imagined.
Official Summary
25 March 2024
The audiobook version of One Little Mistake by Lucinda Berry offers a brief yet impactful exploration of deceit and desperation. The author’s storytelling skills are evident; however, the novella lacked a little complexity which I am sure a longer book would have captured better.
The story revolves around Alexis a stay-at-home mom struggling with a DUI charge that strains her marriage. The premise sets the stage for a promising exploration of personal growth, relationships and the consequences of one’s actions. However, the briefness of this story limits the development of these themes, leaving you craving a more in-depth examination.
The author introduces the mysterious character Farrah, a powerhouse woman who becomes Alexis’s confidante. The dynamic between the two women adds an intriguing layer to the story, but the swift pacing and condensed timeframe hinder the full realisation of their relationship. As a result, the plot twists and revelations feel rushed, sacrificing the potential for suspense and emotional impact.
The audiobook’s duration may appeal to you if you are seeking a quick thriller fix, but it loses the small differences and delicate details that could have elevated the narrative. As an audiobook, this story offers a brief and engaging listening experience, but it will leave you wishing for more. The author’s storytelling is compelling and I would love to explore some of her other work.
Also by Lucinda Berry
The Perfect Child
Christopher and Hannah are a happily married surgeon and nurse with picture-perfect lives. All that’s missing is a child. When Janie, an abandoned six-year-old, turns up at their hospital, Christopher forms an instant connection with her, and he convinces Hannah they should take her home as their own.
But Janie is no ordinary child, and her damaged psyche proves to be more than her new parents were expecting. Janie is fiercely devoted to Christopher, but she acts out in increasingly disturbing ways, directing all her rage at Hannah. Unable to bond with Janie, Hannah is drowning under the pressure, and Christopher refuses to see Janie’s true nature.
Hannah knows that Janie is manipulating Christopher and isolating him from her, despite Hannah’s attempts to bring them all together. But as Janie’s behaviour threatens to tear Christopher and Hannah apart, the truth behind Janie’s past may be enough to push them all over the edge.
About the Author
Author bio from the author’s site
Lucinda Berry is a former clinical psychologist and leading researcher in childhood trauma. Now, she spends her days writing full-time where she uses her clinical experience to blur the line between fiction and nonfiction. She enjoys taking her readers on a journey through the dark recesses of the human psyche. Her work has been optioned for film and translated into multiple languages.
If Berry isn’t chasing after her son, you can find her running through Los Angeles, prepping for her next marathon.
Thank you for visiting the blog and reading my review. Are you a Lucinda Berry fan? What is your favourite book? Leave a comment below, I would love to try one of her novels. Until next time…Happy Reading!
