Most of us have secrets we’d like to keep buried. But when an investigative reporter knocks on your door, you’re forced to decide: do you keep running, or do you finally face the truth? In Little One by Olivia Muenter, Catherine West has to decide if the truth is more dangerous than the lie. The truth about being raised by a charismatic cult leader might be better left off at the tomato farm.
The Quick Stats:
4/5 stars ★★★★☆
From the publisher: A searing novel from the USA Today bestselling author of Such a Bad Influence, follows a young woman whose life is upended when a journalist uncovers her mysterious and hidden upbringing.
Published on: February 3, 2026
Pages: 414
Genre: Literary Cult Thriller
To read the synopsis of the book: https://amzn.to/3OK5uAZ
What I Liked About Little One:
The Setting:
Set in the sweltering Florida fields, Muenter excels at sensory detail. I could practically feel the humidity on my skin and found myself wanting to swat away bugs while I read. She perfectly captures the slow decay of the farm and the claustrophobia of the old buildings.
Cult Life:
Muenter’s portrayal of cult life feels hauntingly authentic. She highlights the tragic irony of the farm: what starts as a sincere search for a simpler way of life becomes a cage built by a charismatic leader. It’s a powerful exploration of how a ‘God-complex’ can turn a patch of Florida paradise into a psychological prison.
Sisterhood:
I loved reading about the relationship between Catherine and Linna. Although they are a found family, you could feel the love between them through most of the story. I kept cheering for both of them to succeed
The Ending:
I didn’t see the ending coming, and that is my favorite way for a book to end. It made me want to talk about it with someone else. I thought it tied up the book perfectly and was brilliantly done.
Content Warning:
The book does deal with a lot of traumatic issues. This is a heavy read, and at times, I felt uncomfortable, even though I couldn’t stop reading. If you are worried, look it up, but I don’t want to give anything away.
Where to Buy Little One and More:
Purchase Little One: https://amzn.to/3OK5uAZ
- Read more of my book reviews: Visit my library
- Missed my Top Books of 2025? Check out the full list here
Looking for more book recommendations?
If you enjoyed this book, I highly recommend this true story about living in a cult:
- Dinner for Vampires by Bethany Joy Lenz | Buy on Amazon
Disclosure: Thank you to Netgalley, Little, Brown & Company, and Olivia Muenter for my free copy of this book. This is my honest review.
Leave a Comment:
Catharine spent a decade building a perfect life to hide her past.
If you were in her shoes, would you have opened the door for that journalist, or would you have kept running? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!
I would love for you to leave a comment!