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One Stupid Thing
One Stupid Thing follows four teens as they navigate the mystery surrounding a tragic, deadly accident that leaves them wondering: who is really to blame?
It was just one stupid thing that happened...
Summer on Nantucket island. Three high school friends drinking warm beer on a rooftop. Everything is cool, until a seemingly innocent game takes a sinister turn, and the course of their lives are changed forever.
For a year, they keep it a secret, until the following summer when they meet a mysterious girl with her own dark past who may have the answers they are looking for.
A story about friendship, mistakes, and the quest for redemption, One Stupid Thing follows Jamie, Sophia, Trevor and Violet as they contend with the consequences of their choices, navigate the drama in their individual lives and try to uncover what really happened on that fateful night.
It was just one stupid thing that happened...
Summer on Nantucket island. Three high school friends drinking warm beer on a rooftop. Everything is cool, until a seemingly innocent game takes a sinister turn, and the course of their lives are changed forever.
For a year, they keep it a secret, until the following summer when they meet a mysterious girl with her own dark past who may have the answers they are looking for.
A story about friendship, mistakes, and the quest for redemption, One Stupid Thing follows Jamie, Sophia, Trevor and Violet as they contend with the consequences of their choices, navigate the drama in their individual lives and try to uncover what really happened on that fateful night.
304 pages, Paperback
First published March 16, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
March 17, 2021
Stewart Lewis' newest book,
One Stupid Thing
, is an intriguing, poignant story about friendship and finding your own way.
There were three of them—Jamie, Sophie, and Trevor—the best of friends despite their differences. They spent their summer on Nantucket together. They mostly seemed to follow Trevor’s lead, and no one really seemed to mind. Then one night at a party, spurred on by Trevor, the three play an innocent prank, only to have everything go completely wrong.
The following summer, having been estranged from one another and being unable to take their minds off what happened that night, they reunite back on Nantucket. With the help of a new friend, they try to make sense of what they did and realize the guilt they have been carrying around may not be entirely theirs. At the same time, they start to come to some truths about themselves, their desires, and the lives they want.
Although One Stupid Thing is marketed as a mystery/thriller and it certainly has elements of that, in the end I thought it was just a good, strong story. I really liked the complexity of each character, their flaws and vulnerabilities. I also loved the LGBTQIA+ representation in the book. That's one of the reasons I find YA novels so refreshing.
I was pleased to be part of the blog tour for this book. Storygram Tours and Turner Publishing provided me a complimentary advance copy of the book in exchange for an unbiased review. Thanks for making it available!
Check out my list of the best books I read in 2020 at https://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com/2021/01/the-best-books-i-read-in-2020.html.
Check out my list of the best books of the last decade at https://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com/2020/01/my-favorite-books-of-decade.html.
See all of my reviews at itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com.
Follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/the.bookishworld.of.yrralh/.
There were three of them—Jamie, Sophie, and Trevor—the best of friends despite their differences. They spent their summer on Nantucket together. They mostly seemed to follow Trevor’s lead, and no one really seemed to mind. Then one night at a party, spurred on by Trevor, the three play an innocent prank, only to have everything go completely wrong.
The following summer, having been estranged from one another and being unable to take their minds off what happened that night, they reunite back on Nantucket. With the help of a new friend, they try to make sense of what they did and realize the guilt they have been carrying around may not be entirely theirs. At the same time, they start to come to some truths about themselves, their desires, and the lives they want.
Although One Stupid Thing is marketed as a mystery/thriller and it certainly has elements of that, in the end I thought it was just a good, strong story. I really liked the complexity of each character, their flaws and vulnerabilities. I also loved the LGBTQIA+ representation in the book. That's one of the reasons I find YA novels so refreshing.
I was pleased to be part of the blog tour for this book. Storygram Tours and Turner Publishing provided me a complimentary advance copy of the book in exchange for an unbiased review. Thanks for making it available!
Check out my list of the best books I read in 2020 at https://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com/2021/01/the-best-books-i-read-in-2020.html.
Check out my list of the best books of the last decade at https://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com/2020/01/my-favorite-books-of-decade.html.
See all of my reviews at itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com.
Follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/the.bookishworld.of.yrralh/.
February 16, 2021
3.5
I went into this book believing it was a dark murder mystery, but I found it to be more about teens trying to rebuild broken friendships and becoming comfortable with who they are.
Trevor, Sophia, and Jamie were best friends, spending their summers on Nantucket Island. Until one night a silly game leaves the three believing they may be involved in a man’s death. They go their separate ways, vowing to tell no one the events of that night. Leaving the island for the offseason, the trio’s friendships drift apart.
The next summer, when Jamie returns to the island, he meets Violet. Violet becomes a catalyst; she has connections to the man who was killed last summer. Realizing this may be a chance to get real answers to what happened that fateful night last summer, Jamie reconnects with Trevor and Sophia.
I felt the dialogue was a little young for teens going off to college, and I would have enjoyed a little more suspense. It's a good mystery, but to me, the real story was about the teens’ struggle with friendships, family issues, and identity.
Thank you to @turnerpub for this advanced copy for review.
I went into this book believing it was a dark murder mystery, but I found it to be more about teens trying to rebuild broken friendships and becoming comfortable with who they are.
Trevor, Sophia, and Jamie were best friends, spending their summers on Nantucket Island. Until one night a silly game leaves the three believing they may be involved in a man’s death. They go their separate ways, vowing to tell no one the events of that night. Leaving the island for the offseason, the trio’s friendships drift apart.
The next summer, when Jamie returns to the island, he meets Violet. Violet becomes a catalyst; she has connections to the man who was killed last summer. Realizing this may be a chance to get real answers to what happened that fateful night last summer, Jamie reconnects with Trevor and Sophia.
I felt the dialogue was a little young for teens going off to college, and I would have enjoyed a little more suspense. It's a good mystery, but to me, the real story was about the teens’ struggle with friendships, family issues, and identity.
Thank you to @turnerpub for this advanced copy for review.
November 4, 2020
Thanks to the publisher for providing an eARC of One Stupid Thing in exchange for an honest review.
One Stupid Thing is a multi-perspective teen mystery, which meant that while most of my issues with it were simply based in the presentation with the narrative, it really hurt my reading experience here. One Stupid Thing does a lot of telling and little to know showing which in books that are reliant on an underlying mystery like this one, really, really kills the intrigue. The narrative also felt very flat and one-dimensional which made it hard to find anything distinctive about any of the perspectives. I know multi-perspective mysteries are really popular right now, but this book would have worked a lot better with one omniscient narrator.
One Stupid Thing is a multi-perspective teen mystery, which meant that while most of my issues with it were simply based in the presentation with the narrative, it really hurt my reading experience here. One Stupid Thing does a lot of telling and little to know showing which in books that are reliant on an underlying mystery like this one, really, really kills the intrigue. The narrative also felt very flat and one-dimensional which made it hard to find anything distinctive about any of the perspectives. I know multi-perspective mysteries are really popular right now, but this book would have worked a lot better with one omniscient narrator.
February 23, 2021
One stupid thing follows three teenagers that made a horrific mistake one summer night and are having trouble recovering from it. The story picks up one year later, the three are no longer friends, one is an alcoholic, one is promiscuous and the other is drifting along. They are doing everything they can to forget but nothing they do really works to rid their guilt.
I enjoyed this story but didnt feel the language was really indicative of teenagers. I also wanted more angst and it was more of a coming of age story. Overall, I'd recommend this book. It was definitely enjoyable and kept me interested.
I enjoyed this story but didnt feel the language was really indicative of teenagers. I also wanted more angst and it was more of a coming of age story. Overall, I'd recommend this book. It was definitely enjoyable and kept me interested.
February 25, 2021
“It was just one stupid thing that happened…”
Ahead of my review, I do have to come clean and admit that YA fiction is not a genre I tend to stray into too often. It is a long time ago since I qualified for reading inclusion in this age group, and I am in no doubt that the expectations and attitudes of Stewart’s modern day target audience, have advanced in leaps and bounds since then, so much so that often, to me as a reader, the lines seem very blurred between YA and adult fiction. This story is targeted at a 14-18 year readership and from my amateur eye, it seems to be pitch perfect.
The story gets going from the very first page, no preamble or scene setting, for readers keen to engage immediately. The storyline moves along at a good pace and with the constantly shifting sands of emphasis, towards an ending which although not quite as replete and satisfying as it might have been, is full of future hopes and latent potential for its cast of characters.
Told in clearly marked, seamlessly alternating chapters and narrated crisply from multiple viewpoints, this well developed, multi layered storyline is sympathetically told, with real heart and a little humour, by an author who is a consummate storyteller, totally in tune with his audience and knows exactly how to engage with them.
Some lovely, visually descriptive narrative and dialogue, transported me to beautiful Nantucket Island, with featured place names I could check in on and plot the action for myself. Now – if only I could drag myself away from the virtual golden sands and surf!
From an angst inducing accident, with tragic consequences at its core, this storyline rapidly evolves into a compelling and intriguing mystery thriller, which has many more sinister and deadly implications for this trio of guilt ridden teenagers and the individual demons they each choose to battle, alone and divided. A new friend they make one year later, who reunites them as a reluctant group, unwittingly opens a whole new can of worms, unleashing the potential to threaten the safety and the very lives of them all, with the information she has in her possession. Manipulating and using a little knowledge, based on some very thin evidence, may be a dangerous thing, but is it a risk worth taking, if exposing the truth can exonerate them from the crimes they are no longer certain they are responsible for and help them to uncover a glimmer of hope and redemption from all the tragedy events have caused?
As if shouldering the burden of their real or imagined guilt, which has torn their friendships apart, isn’t enough, each of the group of four has family and personal issues which are slowly eating away at them, destroying their confidence, swiping at their self-worth, and undermining the bedrock foundations of their fragile hold on any semblance of ‘normal’ family life. This quickly evolves into a secondary parallel story, which exposes and highlights the underlying multi-faceted flood of emotions and insecurities, which influence the aspirations and outlooks of such a dysfunctional, emotionally disturbed group of young people, explores how the actions and behaviour of strangers can help to rebuild and heal the rifts between them and ease their troubled minds, whilst helping them discover a renewed and rewarding sense of self-worth, thus making them comfortable in their own skins and assured of their individuality and identity.
Stewart has developed a cast of well defined and relatable characters, who grew exponentially in stature and maturity during the course of that one fateful year. I kept having to remind myself that they were all still only your typical teenagers, complete with all their regular emotional baggage and hang-ups, aside from the extra pressure and stress events in the recent past had placed on them. From that perspective they were not particularly easy for me to connect with, however that’s purely an age issue and I was still able to detect their vulnerabilities and their searching for a sense of belonging and purpose. Once they had collectively decided to put their past unspoken differences aside, their characters developed some real depth and meaning, with some good strong dynamics and synergy growing between them, which you just knew would transcend that teenage phase in their lives and keep them firm friends on into adulthood.
There were also a few poignant moments of teenage naivety and humour, which Stewart played to perfection, although to be fair, I really need to know which six year old precocious child genius he knows, who he used to model the character of Bryce. I’m still trying to work out whether he would be the perfect child protegee to live with, or the devil child from hell (no disrespect intended Stewart, if this was indeed a family member or a friend’s child). Whichever, he certainly gives Trevor a run for his money and I believe, helped him get his thoughts and feelings into some kind of perspective. Bryce added a nice touch of grounded humanity to the story!
“What seems to us as bitter trials are often blessings in disguise.”
—Oscar Wilde
Ahead of my review, I do have to come clean and admit that YA fiction is not a genre I tend to stray into too often. It is a long time ago since I qualified for reading inclusion in this age group, and I am in no doubt that the expectations and attitudes of Stewart’s modern day target audience, have advanced in leaps and bounds since then, so much so that often, to me as a reader, the lines seem very blurred between YA and adult fiction. This story is targeted at a 14-18 year readership and from my amateur eye, it seems to be pitch perfect.
The story gets going from the very first page, no preamble or scene setting, for readers keen to engage immediately. The storyline moves along at a good pace and with the constantly shifting sands of emphasis, towards an ending which although not quite as replete and satisfying as it might have been, is full of future hopes and latent potential for its cast of characters.
Told in clearly marked, seamlessly alternating chapters and narrated crisply from multiple viewpoints, this well developed, multi layered storyline is sympathetically told, with real heart and a little humour, by an author who is a consummate storyteller, totally in tune with his audience and knows exactly how to engage with them.
Some lovely, visually descriptive narrative and dialogue, transported me to beautiful Nantucket Island, with featured place names I could check in on and plot the action for myself. Now – if only I could drag myself away from the virtual golden sands and surf!
From an angst inducing accident, with tragic consequences at its core, this storyline rapidly evolves into a compelling and intriguing mystery thriller, which has many more sinister and deadly implications for this trio of guilt ridden teenagers and the individual demons they each choose to battle, alone and divided. A new friend they make one year later, who reunites them as a reluctant group, unwittingly opens a whole new can of worms, unleashing the potential to threaten the safety and the very lives of them all, with the information she has in her possession. Manipulating and using a little knowledge, based on some very thin evidence, may be a dangerous thing, but is it a risk worth taking, if exposing the truth can exonerate them from the crimes they are no longer certain they are responsible for and help them to uncover a glimmer of hope and redemption from all the tragedy events have caused?
As if shouldering the burden of their real or imagined guilt, which has torn their friendships apart, isn’t enough, each of the group of four has family and personal issues which are slowly eating away at them, destroying their confidence, swiping at their self-worth, and undermining the bedrock foundations of their fragile hold on any semblance of ‘normal’ family life. This quickly evolves into a secondary parallel story, which exposes and highlights the underlying multi-faceted flood of emotions and insecurities, which influence the aspirations and outlooks of such a dysfunctional, emotionally disturbed group of young people, explores how the actions and behaviour of strangers can help to rebuild and heal the rifts between them and ease their troubled minds, whilst helping them discover a renewed and rewarding sense of self-worth, thus making them comfortable in their own skins and assured of their individuality and identity.
Stewart has developed a cast of well defined and relatable characters, who grew exponentially in stature and maturity during the course of that one fateful year. I kept having to remind myself that they were all still only your typical teenagers, complete with all their regular emotional baggage and hang-ups, aside from the extra pressure and stress events in the recent past had placed on them. From that perspective they were not particularly easy for me to connect with, however that’s purely an age issue and I was still able to detect their vulnerabilities and their searching for a sense of belonging and purpose. Once they had collectively decided to put their past unspoken differences aside, their characters developed some real depth and meaning, with some good strong dynamics and synergy growing between them, which you just knew would transcend that teenage phase in their lives and keep them firm friends on into adulthood.
There were also a few poignant moments of teenage naivety and humour, which Stewart played to perfection, although to be fair, I really need to know which six year old precocious child genius he knows, who he used to model the character of Bryce. I’m still trying to work out whether he would be the perfect child protegee to live with, or the devil child from hell (no disrespect intended Stewart, if this was indeed a family member or a friend’s child). Whichever, he certainly gives Trevor a run for his money and I believe, helped him get his thoughts and feelings into some kind of perspective. Bryce added a nice touch of grounded humanity to the story!
“What seems to us as bitter trials are often blessings in disguise.”
—Oscar Wilde
April 23, 2021
I am not sure what I expected going in. I originally had the thought this would land on the thriller/mystery scale but once I finished it felt more like coming of age. The overall context is surrounding broken connections, negative family dynamics and self-acceptance. I enjoyed the underlying themes of alcoholism, LGBTQ representation and the overall dysfunctional aspects of each of the characters as well. The voice of the characters seemed a little younger than expected but it’s less noticeable the further you dive in.
Told in multiple POVs, the characters are relatable but at times felt slightly one dimensional and lacked the intrigue that typically continues to hold my interest. Even though the characters created moments of disconnection, the issues and dynamic of everyone involved kept me riveted. It was like watching an episode of Big Brother and not being able to look away from the oncoming train wreck of emotion, chaos and teenage cacophony. The growth of each individual was well thought out by the author and I truly appreciated the way the personas were crafted with their unique depth and struggles. This truly is more than a mystery read.
There are some facets I would’ve enjoyed more of like the mystery aspect and overall tone of the novel pushing towards that point. However, there is a lot of meaning behind this book and I think if readers go in not expecting a mystery, they will see the underlying rawness of the emotion, devastation and hope that lingers. I especially think younger readers can relate more to the characters and their decisions on a level separate from older readers like myself.
I want to thank Turner Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this gifted copy in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own. True rating 3.5/5.
Told in multiple POVs, the characters are relatable but at times felt slightly one dimensional and lacked the intrigue that typically continues to hold my interest. Even though the characters created moments of disconnection, the issues and dynamic of everyone involved kept me riveted. It was like watching an episode of Big Brother and not being able to look away from the oncoming train wreck of emotion, chaos and teenage cacophony. The growth of each individual was well thought out by the author and I truly appreciated the way the personas were crafted with their unique depth and struggles. This truly is more than a mystery read.
There are some facets I would’ve enjoyed more of like the mystery aspect and overall tone of the novel pushing towards that point. However, there is a lot of meaning behind this book and I think if readers go in not expecting a mystery, they will see the underlying rawness of the emotion, devastation and hope that lingers. I especially think younger readers can relate more to the characters and their decisions on a level separate from older readers like myself.
I want to thank Turner Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this gifted copy in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own. True rating 3.5/5.
March 2, 2021
This is the perfect bridge story for students who are asking for murder mysteries! It's right in between Scar Island and One of Us is Lying!
As an educator who has students come to me constantly wanting "murder mysteries" but not quite ready for significant murder mysteries, I found this story to be the perfect first step into the murder mystery genre. Trevor, Sophia, and Jamie typically spent their summers on Nantucket Island. One summer they played a stupid game resulting in a crash, and what seemed to be the worst, the death of a man. As the story progresses, their friendship dissipates (as friendships generally do when there are major traumatic events). The following summer the story picks up and Jamie meets a girl named Violet, turning out to be a connection to the man who died, making Violet's intentions that of which she was hoping would result in answers. As this summer picks up, Trevor, Sophia, and Jamie all reconnect...in one way or another.
I fully believe that students are going to be able to relate to Trevor, Jamie, Sophia and Violet more than they will in terms of the secret they are keeping - which is great as an educator. I want students to see themselves in stories, even their biggest struggles. Each chapter is laid out from the perspective of each character - the author does a fantastic job of portraying each character's perspective with a real, raw quality. The setting was described in a way that students will be able to follow and discuss without feeling overwhelmed with the multiple story lines. No matter which character is telling the story, it draws you in, and before you know it you're almost finished with the story.
As an educator who has students come to me constantly wanting "murder mysteries" but not quite ready for significant murder mysteries, I found this story to be the perfect first step into the murder mystery genre. Trevor, Sophia, and Jamie typically spent their summers on Nantucket Island. One summer they played a stupid game resulting in a crash, and what seemed to be the worst, the death of a man. As the story progresses, their friendship dissipates (as friendships generally do when there are major traumatic events). The following summer the story picks up and Jamie meets a girl named Violet, turning out to be a connection to the man who died, making Violet's intentions that of which she was hoping would result in answers. As this summer picks up, Trevor, Sophia, and Jamie all reconnect...in one way or another.
I fully believe that students are going to be able to relate to Trevor, Jamie, Sophia and Violet more than they will in terms of the secret they are keeping - which is great as an educator. I want students to see themselves in stories, even their biggest struggles. Each chapter is laid out from the perspective of each character - the author does a fantastic job of portraying each character's perspective with a real, raw quality. The setting was described in a way that students will be able to follow and discuss without feeling overwhelmed with the multiple story lines. No matter which character is telling the story, it draws you in, and before you know it you're almost finished with the story.
March 1, 2021
YA is not one of my favorite genres. This one was ok. It was a quick read, only 226 pages. The author did a good job showing how the kids were torn apart by the one stupid thing they did. But the solution was kind of simplistic. I think I would have liked the book more except for one aspect. A 20-year-old college man seduced one of the 16-year-old high school characters and it was deemed acceptable. I found it inappropriate. Still, this could be a good movie on the Lifetime channel.
January 18, 2021
My background is in English Education so YA Lit is one of my favorite genres to read. I’m familiar with Stewart Lewis’s work from his romantic-comedy chick-lit Happily Whatever After. One Stupid Thing is a well-crafted YA mystery in the same vein as Karen M. McManus or John Green. The story about three friends and a high school prank with unintended tragic consequences is addictively readable. The characters are authentic, interesting, and relatable. Each chapter is narrated by a different character which adds to the novel’s intrigue and unpredictability. You want to keep reading to find out what will happen next!
But One Stupid Thing isn’t only a mystery but also a story about redemption. Each character is struggling with their own demons, and those demons wear different faces for each of them. Some of those demons are the consequences of their own actions, or screwed up family dynamics, or trying to salvage a friendship. No matter which character is telling the story, Lewis finds a way to draw readers into their lives and keep them there, which is no small feat. One Stupid Thing is definitely worth your time.
But One Stupid Thing isn’t only a mystery but also a story about redemption. Each character is struggling with their own demons, and those demons wear different faces for each of them. Some of those demons are the consequences of their own actions, or screwed up family dynamics, or trying to salvage a friendship. No matter which character is telling the story, Lewis finds a way to draw readers into their lives and keep them there, which is no small feat. One Stupid Thing is definitely worth your time.
April 17, 2021
"𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐬𝐞𝐞𝐦 𝐬𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠..."
One Stupid Thing is a story of four teens who try to live with the one stupid mistake they made and the consequences after that.
I really enjoyed this novel it was a fairly light read, and I enjoyed getting to know each of the characters and seeing their point of views. I loved how this was a gigantic game of clues all waiting to be put together. I also loved the friendship dynamic and how they all came together in the end.
Overall, I would definitely recommend this YA mystery novel, it would be perfect to read by the beach or even by the pool this summer!
One Stupid Thing is a story of four teens who try to live with the one stupid mistake they made and the consequences after that.
I really enjoyed this novel it was a fairly light read, and I enjoyed getting to know each of the characters and seeing their point of views. I loved how this was a gigantic game of clues all waiting to be put together. I also loved the friendship dynamic and how they all came together in the end.
Overall, I would definitely recommend this YA mystery novel, it would be perfect to read by the beach or even by the pool this summer!
March 5, 2021
As a thriller/mystery fan I would’ve loved a bit more suspense throughout the book! I did thoroughly enjoy all the characters & the friendships built between them. We also have some young romances that I loved. Overall the book was a great quick read! I finished it in two days! I’d recommend it to anyone looking for an easy teen ya mystery! Thanks so much to the author for sending me this copy!
March 14, 2021
Jamie, Trevor and Sophia made one stupid mistake. It was dumb, but it changed their lives forever. Now it’s a year later and they don’t speak. Sophia has become promiscuous, Trevor has turned into a full blown pretty boy partier, and Jamie’s only friend is his 70 year old neighbor. When Violet shows up in their lives however, will she be able to give them their lives back?
This was a fun story of finding yourself, and rebuilding what is broken. I thought it would be a little bit more about the mystery of what happened, but I still enjoyed the story. All three of the main characters fell into situations that I think are easy to fall into as a teenager. I wish we got a little bit more about those situations, but overall I really enjoyed this book.
This was a fun story of finding yourself, and rebuilding what is broken. I thought it would be a little bit more about the mystery of what happened, but I still enjoyed the story. All three of the main characters fell into situations that I think are easy to fall into as a teenager. I wish we got a little bit more about those situations, but overall I really enjoyed this book.
August 11, 2021
Pretty average, read it fast though so
January 25, 2021
This is a story about a group of teenagers, Jamie, Trevor and Sophia who believe they may have been responsible for a fatal car accident the previous summer. I like how each chapter is laid out by giving each teenager's perspective about what happened and how they cope with their feelings. Then the story takes an unexpected turn which I liked. The author does an excellent job describing the person's thoughts and the setting of what is happening right then. I enjoyed this story and it was easy to read.
It's a good mystery novel and I recommend it for anyone who enjoys this genre.
It's a good mystery novel and I recommend it for anyone who enjoys this genre.
December 9, 2020
This book starts out really great - I was pulled in immediately. I like the fact that the characters have a real,, almost raw quality. There was one plot point that I felt was a little far-fetched - but i love his voice and style- definitely going to look into his other books!
March 25, 2021
This book made me really happy because I could dive into the lives of this teenage friend group that was struggling to keep their friendship alive. I’m 16 and therefore there were many situations which I could relate to and I loved that about this book.
I really liked how this book was written and I absolutely loved Jamie. He is this super nice character that was trying to find out who he is. I loved how even though this is a shorter book you could see the evolution of these characters especially Jamie and Trevor.
I really enjoyed reading one of us is lying last year and because one stupid thing has a similar touch to it I knew I would like it aswell and the book didn’t disappoint :)
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves one of us is lying and to those of you who like a story about a teenage summer with some mystery!
I really liked how this book was written and I absolutely loved Jamie. He is this super nice character that was trying to find out who he is. I loved how even though this is a shorter book you could see the evolution of these characters especially Jamie and Trevor.
I really enjoyed reading one of us is lying last year and because one stupid thing has a similar touch to it I knew I would like it aswell and the book didn’t disappoint :)
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves one of us is lying and to those of you who like a story about a teenage summer with some mystery!
June 15, 2023
Middle grade “I Know What You Did Last Summer” vibes.
March 14, 2021
3 stars--ONE STUPID THING by Stewart Lewis is a young adult story of suspense following three high school friends in the aftermath of an accident that killed a local man.
Told from four first person perspectives (Jamie, Trevor, Sophia and Violet) ONE STUPID THING focuses on the events leading up to and after the car accident of which Jamie, Trevor and Sophia blame upon themselves. A late night party, a little bit of drinking, and a teenaged prank leads our trio to believe they have caused the death of a local man but one year would pass, everyone would lose contact, and very little is reported or known about the accident, including the name of the crash victim. Upon his return to Nantucket, Trevor would be befriended by Violet, the step-daughter of a local businessman, and a young woman who reveals a little more about that night one year earlier. What ensues is the hunt for the truth, and the possibility that there was something more sinister behind the death of Brendan Daly.
ONE STUPID THING is a coming of age story about four young adults who face the loss of friendship, drifting apart with the reality of what happened and why. Hoping to uncover the truth with the help of Violet, Jamie, Trevor and Sophia begin to unravel the secrets of Nantucket Island, and the truth behind the death of an innocent man.
The premise is intriguing and interesting but there is more telling than showing, and in this there is limited emotional attachment. The details are narrow and bounded as the story line does not go into any depth of events, and the character’s actions are almost apathetic and impersonal. Sadly, I felt disconnected from the story line premise.
Copy supplied for review
Told from four first person perspectives (Jamie, Trevor, Sophia and Violet) ONE STUPID THING focuses on the events leading up to and after the car accident of which Jamie, Trevor and Sophia blame upon themselves. A late night party, a little bit of drinking, and a teenaged prank leads our trio to believe they have caused the death of a local man but one year would pass, everyone would lose contact, and very little is reported or known about the accident, including the name of the crash victim. Upon his return to Nantucket, Trevor would be befriended by Violet, the step-daughter of a local businessman, and a young woman who reveals a little more about that night one year earlier. What ensues is the hunt for the truth, and the possibility that there was something more sinister behind the death of Brendan Daly.
ONE STUPID THING is a coming of age story about four young adults who face the loss of friendship, drifting apart with the reality of what happened and why. Hoping to uncover the truth with the help of Violet, Jamie, Trevor and Sophia begin to unravel the secrets of Nantucket Island, and the truth behind the death of an innocent man.
The premise is intriguing and interesting but there is more telling than showing, and in this there is limited emotional attachment. The details are narrow and bounded as the story line does not go into any depth of events, and the character’s actions are almost apathetic and impersonal. Sadly, I felt disconnected from the story line premise.
Copy supplied for review
March 3, 2021
Wow, this book came out of left field and hit me right in the heart! This was a coming of age story focusing on three teenagers trying to work through the emotional and mental effects of a stupid mistake they made and kept secret.
Each character had their own unique way of dealing with the pain of their mistake. Sophia used boys and sex, as an outlet, Trevor used alcohol, and Jamie became very introverted. All three ended up acting out in ways that were not their normal behavior. They were drowning in their own guilt and it was utterly heartbreaking.
By chance Jaime meets Violet one day and discovers the “mistake”really wasn’t a “mistake”and it definitely was not Caused by him Sophia, or Trevor.
All four teens work together to get justice, and in doing so they start to heal. Friendships are mended, along with hearts, and minds.
There were so many parts of this book that were emotional, that broke my heart, that brought the tears to my eyes., happy and sad! These kids were growing up, seeing the good, the bad, and all the in between. Absent parents, cheating parents, parents dealing with mental illness, it’s a lot for a teen to deal with, among all the added pressure of teenage life.
This was a powerful book covering every possible tough subject you could possibly imagine. It was written brilliantly.
March 16, 2021
This is a story about three high school friends Jamie, Sophia and Trevor who make one mistake with lifelong consequences. They didn't mean to kill anyone, it just happened. After that fateful night the three friends go their separate ways. Each of them struggling privately until Jamie meets Violet who can save them all.
We get the three friends POV's in this story to start. Reading about how that night affected Jamie, Sophia and Trevor's personally was heartbreaking. Their lives seem to stand still, and each of them does whatever it takes to forget that night. After James meets Violet her POV is added to the mix. I didn't understand how important Violet's character was until I realized she can free them all. I love stories about friendships, and this was no exception. This does have a happy ending, but there is a twist thrown in that I didn't see coming!
Thank you Author Stewart Lewis for sending this my way. Grab your copy today!
Book Rating: 4/5
Wine Pairing: Espiral Vinho Verde
We get the three friends POV's in this story to start. Reading about how that night affected Jamie, Sophia and Trevor's personally was heartbreaking. Their lives seem to stand still, and each of them does whatever it takes to forget that night. After James meets Violet her POV is added to the mix. I didn't understand how important Violet's character was until I realized she can free them all. I love stories about friendships, and this was no exception. This does have a happy ending, but there is a twist thrown in that I didn't see coming!
Thank you Author Stewart Lewis for sending this my way. Grab your copy today!
Book Rating: 4/5
Wine Pairing: Espiral Vinho Verde
March 20, 2021
Trevor, Jamie and Sophia are three best friends who are set up to go to Ivy League schools and make something of themselves. One night while drinking, the three best friends play an irreversible prank with devastating consciences. Vowing to never tell anybody about what happened, the three friends leave the scene of the crime. Feelings of shame, guilt and a heavy conscious lays heavily on all three into the next summer, where the story takes place. When Jamie meets wealthy teenager Violet, she quickly becomes absorbed into the friend group and the four teens have some important decisions about what to do about last summer. This book goes deeper than just your average “I know what you did last summer,” scary movie vibe. It talks about addiction, coming out, corruption and gendered stereotypes of sexual gratification, like women being dismissed as slurs for having sex. It’s a short but intense read, great for when you’re looking for something to bump up your book goal on Goodreads or when you want a Netflix special type book.
April 14, 2021
The premise of this book was a decent one: three teens do something stupid that results in someone dying. They blame themselves and it tears their worlds apart. The characters were interesting enough but the development wasn't as detailed as I would have liked. Throughout the story, I ended up liking Violet, another Nantucket teen, more than the main three characters. I didn't feel like this was really much of a thriller, but it did have some mystery. It is YA, so it wasn't incredibly deep, but the relationships were varied and had some great LGBTQIA+ representation. In all, I enjoyed the story enough to stick with it, but I was hoping for a little more.
I'm thankful to the author for sending me an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
I'm thankful to the author for sending me an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
January 25, 2021
An enjoyable read that takes the reader through all the human emotions from fear, guilt, denial to love, redemption and freedom. Set in the beautiful Nantucket landscape, the reader can almost smell the sea air and feel the sun on his/her skin. This book was captivating from the start to the finish. Stewart Lewis has a way with words that paints a picture so perfect you are lost in the story, as if you were living it. I love his characters and range of seeing people in many different lights. A real page turner and am looking forward to the next book by Stewart Lewis!
April 22, 2021
I think the way the story is told is not the ultimate set up to make the book intriguing. Mystery novels need a intriguing component to make the readers care about who did it. In this case it's pointed out to us very early on and the reveal is super underwhelming and just bland.
This book simply fails at delivering on it's premise, and ends up being very mediocre, and that is if we are being nice. Plus points for some diversity but with flat characters that we were not given a reason to care for even that won't help.
This book simply fails at delivering on it's premise, and ends up being very mediocre, and that is if we are being nice. Plus points for some diversity but with flat characters that we were not given a reason to care for even that won't help.
January 22, 2021
Thank you Stewart Lewis for giving me a copy of this amazing story.
One Stupid Thing is an intriguing mystery that explores the road to redemption and forgiveness. Told from three different POVs this story kept me engaged the whole time. This is my second book from this author and I really like his writing style.
http://www.instagram.com/booksandcoff...
One Stupid Thing is an intriguing mystery that explores the road to redemption and forgiveness. Told from three different POVs this story kept me engaged the whole time. This is my second book from this author and I really like his writing style.
http://www.instagram.com/booksandcoff...
February 1, 2021
If the Scooby Doo gang did One Stupid Thing, this book might be the result. This YA murder mystery follows each character through the mental anguish of believing they caused a death. Throughout their efforts to find out more information about the accident we see them struggle, grow apart, find each other again and mature. Very good read!
February 16, 2021
One Stupid Thing reminds me of the long lost days of high school with a twist. The character development and the plot is well paced. I enjoy the bits of humor that are sprinkled throughout.
I enjoy having the different perspectives of the teenagers involved. It helped keep things fresh and added some tension in parts of the story.
I enjoy having the different perspectives of the teenagers involved. It helped keep things fresh and added some tension in parts of the story.
March 11, 2021
I read Happily Whatever After by this author last year and loved it! So I was excited when @turnerpub offered to send me an advance copy of One Stupid Thing! It was different from what I was expecting, but I enjoyed it. It’s a quick read at a little over 200 pages.
One Stupid Thing follows the lives of three teenagers after an incident during a party that changed their lives. The following summer, they meet another teen who ends up bringing them back together and helps them get closure.
The story is told through the perspectives of all four main characters, but it was done well and the characters were developed well enough that it wasn’t confusing. I enjoyed getting to know each of them and follow them through their individual journeys of growth and change. Each learned something about themselves and changed a lot throughout the book.
I think I was expecting a thriller, but it’s more a coming-of-age story with thriller elements. I appreciated the LGBTQ+ rep as well.
One Stupid Thing follows the lives of three teenagers after an incident during a party that changed their lives. The following summer, they meet another teen who ends up bringing them back together and helps them get closure.
The story is told through the perspectives of all four main characters, but it was done well and the characters were developed well enough that it wasn’t confusing. I enjoyed getting to know each of them and follow them through their individual journeys of growth and change. Each learned something about themselves and changed a lot throughout the book.
I think I was expecting a thriller, but it’s more a coming-of-age story with thriller elements. I appreciated the LGBTQ+ rep as well.
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October 14, 2021I know I read this, and can remember bare bones about the story, but it didn't leave enough of a mark for me to really comment other than that I had issues with the multiple POV. This is the problem with not adding books immediately after reading them, but basically I can hardly remember more than the big incident that changed the main characters' lives.
May 29, 2022
Idk this book was not my thing. I thought it was cool for the most part but I didn't care for most of it. Things wrapped up too well
Can we talk about the whole gay panic thing? It made me cringe the whole time. It wasn't like that for me so I'm not trying to say your wrong if your went through it this way, it was just cringe to me but, hey, at least it was there
Can we talk about the whole gay panic thing? It made me cringe the whole time. It wasn't like that for me so I'm not trying to say your wrong if your went through it this way, it was just cringe to me but, hey, at least it was there
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