Very interesting plot, lots of twists and turns to keep you guessing. Very descriptive and the characters all stood out for me. Bang up to the mark on first loves, growing up, being grown up and relationships. Very enjoyable read even though quite upsetting at times.

A thoroughly enjoyable read that is deeply emotive. The story itself follows 5 families and the after effects of a horrific car crash. Very well written, the author sensitively explores the subject expertly.

This is a very readable, emotionally compelling novel about how a small community deals with the aftermath of tragedy. It reminded me of THE SLAP, BIG LITTLE LIES and SMALL FIRES EVERYWHERE.. I will say that it feels much smaller than those books in terms of issue, but it does a good job of getting inside the heads of each character.

Wow. Just wow. Every so often I like to step out of my comfort zone and read something different and this was amazing.

The story draws you in right from the beginning. There’s quite a few characters but once you get reading you soon get used to who is who.

Childhood friends involved in a car crash. One fatality and the others scarred for life. But the physical injuries are not all that we see. The author beautifully shows how the ripple effect from such a tragedy affects so many people in such different ways. The finger of blame and responsibility is soon pointed, but is anyone really to blame or was this just a horrific accident.

I genuinely loved this. I went through so many emotions even shedding a tear. The way it’s written is also so true to life. Tragic accidents that you see on the news but explores what happens behind the headlines in the aftermath.

A massive 5 stars and very highly recommended.

A strong book with a harrowing subject which draws the reader in. Horrific and every family's worse nightmare when the unimaginable happens. I found it hard to read such an emotional roller coaster but incredibly well written about sensitive issues and how the people most involved react in different ways. The story involves 5 young people whose lives and those of the families are torn apart. Characters are well drawn and one can empathise with them. Having supported a dear friend this past year after a similar incident this really hit home.

Review:One Split Second by Caroline Bond

This is a very, very good book. I wasn’t sure if I really wanted to read it. The subject matter – the impact of a serious car crash of the four teenage occupants and their families – was not immediately appealing. However, once I started the book I could not put it down and read it in 24 hours. Yes I shed tears, yes I identified with several of the characters and wanted to know their story, but it was also a very good mystery with the true events leading up to the crash not fully revealed until the end. A great read, and a have already ordered the authors other two books. Thanks to Netgalley for the digital copy for review.

Great book, went in all guns blazing, making you want to read more. Obviously, an emotional story-line with lots of lessons in it. My first book by this author and I want to read more of hers.

Thank you NetGalley for my complimentary copy in return for my honest review.

The opening of this book is really strong. Every parents' worst nightmare - a terrible car accident involving a group of teenagers on their way home from a party - is brought to vivid and agonising life as the author describes the awful wait for the parents to find out if their children have been involved. The rest of the book follows the aftermath of the crash - the search for someone to blame, the attempts of those involved to heal and recover, and the truth about what happened that night all slowly unfold. The characters are sympathetic and well-rounded, and the plot is well timed and effective.

A party, a group of close friends enjoying themselves. Music, drink, inhibitions unguarded a shared feeling of invincibility; so a decision to drive, drink fuelling misjudgment. None of the teenagers or their families will ever be the same after every parents worst nightmare. Social media feeds the frenzy of who was involved, who injured whilst parents race to the scene praying not for it to be their child involved or injured . So the hours, weeks and months creep by whilst victims and parents struggle to survive the tragedy, make sense of the circumstances and events as they unfold, A well written story exquisitely paced in order that we the reader feel every stage of grief, bereavement, guilt and abandonment. An insight into not only the physical but also mental problems associated with traumatic experiences by both the victims and their family and friends. A uplifting if unexpected conclusion that goes some way in suggesting there can be light in the darkest of days. A difficult subject well written and handled and compassion .

What an amazing book. Whilst very sad, the journey through the books results in showing that no matter how catastrophic things are forgiveness can be given. Poor Harry makes a terrible choice resulting in life changing circumstances for his friends and their families. He pays the ultimate price and for him his life is over. He must learn to forgive himself. Good can come from tragedy.

Not so much a novel - more a hard hitting morality tale about a car crash involving 4 teenagers and the impact it has on theirs and their families lives .. One split second is all it takes to turn your world upside down -makes you think ........

Thankyou NetGalley for an ARC in return for an honest review

When five teens are caught up in a nightmare night where a fatal car crash occurs, lives are torn apart.



As Marcus and Fran cope with daughter Jess in intensive care along with her friend Tish, their other teen friends, Harry, Jake and Mo are able to leave the hospital but are not forthcoming about the true events on the fatal night before the crash.



As Fran and Marcus set about coming to terms with their new reality they have a challenge on their hands to discover what truly happened and driver Harry has a lot to answer for being a close family friend too...



Highlighting the dangers of drink driving and the life changing effect of organ donation this book was hard hitting and a great intertwining mystery of the night kept me rapt and eager to discover the truths, a fabulous book that shows how families can be changed and the after effects of sudden events.



Many thanks to the publishers for allowing me to review this book for them!

'One Split Second' tells the story of the impact and aftermath of a horrific car crash, in which one teenager is killed and the rest are injured, through multiple points of view, including the driver, some of the victims and the victims' parents.

An incredibly emotional, hard-hitting and thought-provoking read, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this book to others.

Absolutely brilliant! I loved this story from the start and found it gripping all the way through. One Split Second tells the story of four teenage friends who after a party get into a car driven by Harry, who has been drinking and who crashes the car, changing the lives of all of them forever. It is so well written you feel as if you know these young people and you feel the pain of everyone involved particularly Harry himself and also the parents, who are suffering too. The hospital scenes are heart breaking and feel so realistic. Very few books have the ability to be so moving in their description but One Split Second is exactly that and I found myself close to tears at times. We are kept on tenterhooks waiting to hear what actually happened on the night in question and the reveal is very slow in coming – I stayed up until the early hours to find out the truth and was not disappointed with the ending. I think this would make a great book for a book club as there are so many discussion points to be analysed. This is my first book by Caroline Bond and I am slightly nervous about reading another by her because I feel One Split Second would be such a hard act to follow. Thanks to NetGalley for allowing me an ARC of this book.

Pete, being the first on the scene, calls the Emergency Services.
A blue Seat Leon has mounted the curb and smashed into a factory wall.
The lives of the passenger's Harry, Jake, Tish, Jess, and their parents and siblings change forever on this fateful night.
The aftermath of the accident shows the real characters of family and friends; underlying tensions simmer, genuine personalities show themselves, human instincts of nurture and protection come to the fore.
A tragic set of circumstances, sensitively written; you empathise with all the characters.
There are no winners in this story, only survivors.
A thought-provoking emotional read.
I thank NetGalley, Atlantic Books and the Author Caroline Bond for allowing me to review this pre-publication novel.

A well written book that explores emotions following a tragic accident. You really shared in all the conflicting feelings of those travelling in the car and how the ripples affect family members.
I’m glad I read this book, I would say I enjoyed it but that doesn’t seem to be right thing to say about the devastation caused by the crash. It is not a grim depressing book by any means despite the subject matter.
Well crafted, it certainly made me think and the title is very apt.

Four young people in a car which hits a wall. Five young lives changed irrevocably - and their parents - and friends - and even hospital staff, who always line the corridor when a transplant donor is due to go past. The loss of one life means so much to people waiting for donors. Carry a card.

Loved it. Made me think.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher I read an advance review copy of the book. This review is voluntary, honest and my own opinion.

One split second - that's all it takes for five lives to be changed forever.
Five friends returning home from a party - a car crash - and its not just the five friends who are left devastated.
What caused the accident - who is to blame and will the answers help those who ask them?

A really great story that truly deomstrates the teenage mind. When a horrific car accident occurs, is everyone telling the full truth or are they just protecting themselves and or each other...

This is a heart wrenching read for any parent. Your worst nightmare realised, you get the visit from the police in the middle of the night, informing you that your child has been involved in a car accident. This story revolves around the fallout from a car accident. A group of teenagers are coming home from a party when the car they are travelling in ends up colliding with a wall.

The story tells the views of the people in the car, their families and friends. The individual accounts all have their own struggles with dealing with the after effects of the crash, both physical and emotional. The character I connected with most was Harry, I think possible owing to me being a father of a son. Harry is consumed with guilt for being the driver of the car. He has cut himself off from everyone and his Dad’s answer seems to be throw money at an expensive solicitor, when what he really needs is a hug and be told, it’s ok.

There is so much, grief, anguish and love in this book, it really does make the story feel very real. I felt this was a very good account of this torrid time and it certainly struck a chord with me. Not sure if “enjoyed” is the correct description of this, but a really well written and touching story of a terrible tale.

I received this free copy from NetGalley in exchange for this free and honest review. I give this book 5/5.