Holy page turner! Jessica Payne has some serious talent for writing thriller novels. I adored Make Me Disappear but this one reached another level for me. The main character, Norah, is such a bada** and I easily connected with her. This one is a fast and furious ride, so hold on tight as the hits keep on coming. I could easily have finished this book in one sitting if life didn’t get in the way.

This is such a fantastic written story I loved all the twists and turns it was like being on a rollercoaster I didn't want this story too end but such an amazing ending I never guessed I love a good thriller that keeps me on my

If you love a really good, twisty thriller, this one is for you! I read her last one #MakeMeDisappear and this one just proves that Jessica Payne knows how to write a dang good book that keeps you guessing!

Thank you, Jessica Payne, Bookouture & netgalley for my copy! All opinions are my own.

First, thank you to NetGalley for a free copy of "The Lucky One."

"The Lucky One" focuses on Norah, who was targeted by a serial killer 10 years earlier. Her best friend, August, did not survive the attack but Norah managed to escape. The police never located Norah's attacker.
Norah returns to her hometown after 10 years of missing her best friend and still dreading the return of the killer. Signs appear that her attacker may be back and Norah vows to uncover his identity.

This book captures me from the beginning. Thats the trick and when you know its a good book. I loved all the side tracks and eventually the twist in the end.

Thank you Bookoutre and NetGalley and sorry I took so long to read this - I'll read quicker when I eventually retire!

This was fast paced, hard to put down and intriguing. I didn't see the twist coming, which is always good fo rme.
I highly 'recommend this book.

I could not put this book down! Such a refreshing read and so many thrills and deceit. Highly recommend.

This is my second book by Jessica Payne, and she is very quickly becoming a auto-read author for me. Her books always give me exactly what I am looking for.

This novel follows Norah, who is the sole survivor of a serial killer. She considered herself weak for not being able to save her best friend during the attack, and she's promised herself to never be weak again. She is a MMA fighter, and coach. She is a bad-ass now, and won't take anyone shit. But is the serial killer back?

I really enjoyed this book, I loved reading the dual timelines and seeing how much Norah had grown and matured. The twists were well done, I guessed the final twist early, but did question myself multiple times throughout the book. This was well written, fast paced and very twisty.
10/10 would absolutely recommend!!

I loved this twisty turny thriller about Norah who survived a serial killer and the aftermath ten years ago.. Norah returns to her hometown to attend her father’s funeral at the same time a book is released detailing how she survived, and she is not happy about it. On top of all of this, Norah finds the body of one of her friends. Now Norah and her friends are again in danger as the murder investigation continues around them and the serial killer (or copycat?) gets closer.
The two timelines added a nice complexity to Norah’s feelings and motivations, and I enjoyed seeing how she balanced everything and made herself stronger physically and mentally. The pacing worked really well and kept me turning the pages!

Ten years ago Norah escaped from a serial killer Hansel but her friend August did not. They called Norah the lucky one, so why didn't she feel lucky!!

Norah has since made herself strong, becoming an MMA fighter then a coach. She goes back home after ten years when she hears her father has died.

Norah feels like she is being watched then the messages arrive "I'm watching. I've been waiting for you.' Who can Norah trust? Someone is out there and they won't let her forget what happened that night!!

There are plenty of suspects and red herrings to keep you gripped in this exciting book.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for an honest review.

I knew I would enjoy this book because it was written by Jessica Payne. I was right. The story held a great pace throughout, and held my attention from beginning to end. The dual time line was easy to follow and shorter chapters give time to process the twisty contents before moving on to the next.

I'm sure it must have felt impossible for Norah who escaped a serial killer once and now faces the prospect of having to return to a home where some still believed she had to have been involved, and face the identical twin sister of her best friend who wasn't so lucky 10 years ago. I don't think I would have done any better than Norah, who I liked, and her thought process, suspicions, and actions felt plausible.

Overall, this was a joy to read, even though all my guesses about the guilty party ended up completely wrong. I'm happy to recommend this brilliant book to crime/psychological thriller and mystery readers. I gave The Lucky one, by Jessica Payne, five stars, and look forward to her next book.

Ten years ago, Norah survived a serial killer, tricking him into her release. However, she witnessed the serial killer kill her best friend. The serial killer is responsible for five other deaths. Since then, Norah has trained as an MMA fighter and coach, preparing herself for the serial killer's return.

Following the death of her father, Norah returns to her hometown. Once home, Norah's past returns to to haunt her. Someone has unfinished business. Is the serial killer back?

This was quick-paced and exiting thriller! I really enjoyed the shorter chapters. I really liked Norah - it was easy to connect with her. There was no shortage of possible suspects, which kept me on my toes. The ending was a bit predictable, which is why I detracted a star. Nonetheless, this is a great read and I highly recommend it for any thriller fan. I am looking forward to reading more from Jessica Payne.

Thank you Bookouture and NetGalley for the copy in exchange for an honest review. Forgot to post this one after reading!

A fast-paced yet slow-burning mystery, this novel is perfect for someone looking for a fun, thrilling read.

A fast paced gripping thriller that will keep you guessing! Norah escaped a serial killer, Hansel in her past and has tried to move on from the traumatic day. She felt so powerless since so she became a martial arts fighter. When her father dies she has no choice but to come back to town. It's the last place Norah wants to be since it is in her nightmares every night. Norah's father dies and at his wake Hansel shows up to screw with her. Norah must find out who he is before her and her friends are hurt or worse. Thanks NetGalley and the publisher for the advance ecopy.

This thriller was fast paced, engaging and hard to put down. I did not see the twist coming, which is always exciting. I highly recommend this book.

Norah Silverton managed to do the impossible: ten years ago, she survived the serial killer named Hansel. Somehow, she managed to escape and has never looked back since. Made an amazing career in LA as a flourishing MMA coach and she has zero desire to revisit the past.

But when her father suddenly dies and Norah has to return home to settle his affairs, she soon finds herself in an all-too familiar game of cat and mouse. Hansel is back and ready to cash in on the promise Norah made him on that fateful night. Will Norah have to pay up, or will she finally get the chance to beat the opponent she’s been training her whole career for?
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Wow, what an EXPLOSIVE plot! I loved how it was told from the perspective after a final girl’s showdown, the dual POVs between past and present really give a broader picture into how Norah became who she is. She grew into a hardened MMA fighter as a way to cope with her encounter with Hansel and I truly felt her fear throughout the book. The mystery between her and Hansel was intriguing, as was the identity of Hansel. the whole “everybody’s a suspect” vibe was so killer and the final review was nicely pulled off. The whole cat/mouse chase reminded me of Sidney and Ghostface from Scream and I really love that that particular modus operandi is how Hansel operated. The only shortcomings I saw were pacing issues (dragged for me in certain spots) as well as there being too many plot holes and twists for me to keep track of, but everything wrapped up really nicely at the end so really, no real complaints! Definitely recommend for those who love psychological thrillers with serial killer twists.

What a explosive physcological thriller that has non stop action. Warning! You think you are being followed.I was on the edge of my seat. Clear your schedule!

A great read, very twisty and gripping. I couldn't stop reading and devoured it in one sitting. I'm really looking forward to reading more from the author.

Loved the writing style of this & the back story. What a gripping read I really enjoyed this book and would highly recommend to anyone.

I absolutely loved this book! Could not and would not put it down! Got me out of my thriller slump and made all my family and friends read it!

Norah is considered the “Lucky One” because she escaped the clutches of a serial killer. She doesn’t tell anyone what she did to escape. She graduates, leaves town and decides to train as a MMA fighter. She doesn’t want to be put in a situation where she can’t fight back. She goes back home for an old friend’s wedding and then a murder happens. The author add plenty of suspicious characters to keep the reader wonder who is the killer? A fast paced thriller, with a great plot and well written characters.

Disclaimer: Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for this review copy and I am leaving this review voluntarily.