Yasmin Weston is on holiday when she learns that her son Daniel has been assaulted at home in Australia, leaving him with a debilitating brain injury. She vows to hunt down his attacker.
Evie MacIntyre knows the Westons from school. She’s never had much time for Yasmin and she dislikes Daniel because he bullied her son, Brody. When Evie discovers evidence that Brody was involved in the attack, she is torn but decides there is no way she will let her only son go to jail.
As two mothers wrestle with the consequences of their actions, two families suffer the shockwaves of one catastrophic night and a punch that changes everything.
Read some great reviews from our Preview readers here:
One Punch by Julie Fison is an Australian family drama set in Brisbane. The story follows the shattering consequences of a one punch attack on senior high school student Daniel. Brody, who has been the victim of bullying over the years, is a possible suspect of this violent attack. The story alternates between the perspectives of Yasmin the mother of Daniel, and Evie, Brody’s mother. I felt as if I was experiencing their struggles alongside them and became emotionally attached to the story. I loved the changing perspectives which portrayed both character’s situations in heartachingly emotional detail. This was a wonderfully written and thought-provoking novel. I cannot wait to read more works by Julie Fison! Brittany, VIC, 5 Stars
One Punch by Julie Fison is so relevant to today’s society. It raises several questions, what would you do if your child was the victim of an assault that could have a catastrophic impact on their life? Would you hunt down the culprit and ensure they face the consequences of their actions? On the other hand, if you knew your child was involved in an assault that has drastically changed the life of another, would you make them face up to the consequences of their actions or would you do everything you can to protect them? What happens if the person assaulted was one who has been known to bully your child? These are the questions this novel raises. The reader goes on an emotional journey which is experienced by two mothers on different sides of an assault. One is a mother, Yasmin Weston, heartbroken at the sight she is confronted with of her son, Daniel, on life support in ICU after a night out. She is faced with the prospect that her son will never be the same, the injuries sustained to his brain are debilitating and life changing. Compounding these emotions are her questions of why has this happened and who? She is determined to seek out who carried out this devastating attack and ensure the punishment fits the crime. On the other hand you have a mother, Evie McIntyre, who has discovered that her son, Brody, is connected to the brutal attack of Daniel who she is aware is in ICU fighting for life. Evie dislikes Daniel due to the bullying that he has inflicted on her son. So now she faces a moral dilemma that would be difficult for any parent in her position, does she hand her son in or does she protect him at all costs. Julie Fison has created a powerful, thought provoking read which really pulls at the emotions of the reader. Wendy, WA, 5 Stars
This novel hit me in the head, the heart and the stomach with its searing depiction of two families linked by a tragic event. While out on the town, Daniel is punched with enough force to cause a serious brain injury. With little or no memory of the event, his mother Yasmin is left searching for the perpetrator with an intense thirst for revenge and justice. Meanwhile, Evie, whose son Brody just happened to be out and very drunk that night, begins to suspect that perhaps he had something to do with it. Her instincts are to protect him at all costs. How these two families cope while dealing with such strong emotion and life changing events is harrowing. Yasmin is led to reevaluate her parenting skills and comes to understand that in certain situations and for certain reasons anyone can break and commit an unthinkable act. Evie must deal with the guilt and shame of her actions and struggles to understand Brody’s growing need to unburden himself. I loved that these characters were so real….human and flawed. Life is never black and white and we will always have challenges to face and lessons to learn. Lesley, QLD, 5 Stars
What an emotional roller coaster! So thought provoking and such a brilliant read. It definitely makes you think ‘what if’ with a need to hold your babies closer. Highly recommended for everyone 🙂 Katrina, QLD, 5 Stars
One Punch by Julie Fison was a fantastic read. This novel portrayed the harsh ramifications families endure following an act of one careless punch. Yasmin is a mother with a teenage son called Daniel. Daniel has been attacked and is suffering a terrible brain injury. Evie is the mother of Brody, who has been the victim of bullying over many years – and is a possible suspect of this vicious attack. The chapters alternate between Yasmin and Evie’s perspectives. Their struggles as a parent going through a terrible disaster are shown – each experiencing their own circumstances. I loved the interchanging chapters and the characters. I found the topic tough to read as I wouldn’t want to be placed in any of the mother’s situation. I would highly recommend this novel for anyone who enjoys family dramas and themes involving moral dilemmas. Julie, VIC, 5 Stars
A lovely easy to read story with relatable characters. This book deals with really controversial issues in society with dignity and respect, at the same time as making the reader think about how we would behave if put in these situations. Megan, NSW, 5 Stars
Thank you to Better Reading for the ARC of this riveting read. Set in Brisbane Australia this unfortunately relevant story pulls on the heartstrings as each family has to deal with the consequences of one night. My favourite character was mum Evie who struggled to accept and deal with the reality and consequences of the situation she is dragged into. I found it difficult to put this book down. It is brilliantly written with emotion and drama with believable characters and storyline. Congratulations Julie Fison. Helen, NSW, 5 Stars
I really enjoyed this novel about the lives of the real people involved in what society considers an unthinkable act. Without letting either side off the hook, the writer explores the emotions experienced within the two families involved and the moral dilemmas they face when weighing up whether to do what is right or to protect their children from the consequences of their actions. I found this a very through provoking and emotional read, and i flew through the pages. Will be recommending it to all my friends, and my young adults. Lisa, QLD, 5 Stars
I recently received an ARC copy of One Punch by Julie Fison thanks to #BRpreview and #AffirmPress. It’s a very poignant subject matter that is so relevant in today’s society. As a mother it really tugged at the heartstrings as you can really relate to the heartbreak of both mothers as there is always 2 sides to a story and different perspectives on how and why incidents happen. Yasmin is the mother of the victim of the coward punch, Daniel. It is touch and go whether he’ll survive a potentially fatal head injury. Even if he does his life will never be as it was before. Evie is the mother of Brodie who is a quiet, studious young man who has endured relentless bullying from Daniel for years. One misguided night with alcohol involved their lives will be irreversibly changed forever. Innocence lost for both their families. It’s interesting to see the snowballing effects it has on everyone. Should one nights bad choices destroy the future of both families. It is something they must weigh up carefully before handing it over to the authorities. It’s a moral dilemma that needs to be shared with families of teenagers as it could prevent people from ruining their lives. In fact it would be a great book to include in the English high school curriculum. A great read. Loved it. Hirell, NSW, 5 Stars
This book tells the story of one punch and the effects of the family of the victim and the family of the perpetrator how they each deal with the situation and how their feelings change through the story, how one mum is deadset on revenge and another mum is in denial, great story couldn’t put it down. Shows two sides of what could be a tragedy and is becoming quite common in this day and age. Michelle, VIC, 5 Stars
Heartbreaking, heart-warming, and raw. One Punch brings you into the world of two mums at opposite ends of one tragedy. It was a thought provoking novel that left me questioning what I would do in the same situation. If you’re a fan of Jodi Picoult’s writing style, you will love Julie Fison! Hannah, NSW, 5 Stars
So gripping, I read this novel in 1 day. Each day our newspapers are filled with stories of people’s lives changing due to bad decisions made in a fleeting moment. Fison may change your definition of justice. Kirralee, SA, 5 Stars
One Punch is an easy read that deals with a hard topic. What would you do to protect your child? Told from the perspective of two mothers wrestling with their own demons. I enjoyed this story right to the end. Sam, ACT, 4 Stars
One night, one punch, catastrophic consequences for two families. One Punch by Julie Fison is a thought provoking look at an ethical dilemma, posing the question ‘how far would you go to protect your child?’ Told from the perspectives of two mothers, Evie and Yasmin, Julie Fison’s first adult novel pulls on the heartstrings as the characters contend with the repercussions of both bullying and the assault outlined in the title. Evie and Yasmin are forced to reflect on motherhood, parenting decisions and their own blindness to their children’s faults. Friendship and family relationships are also at the fore in this well-crafted story. With convincing characters and a deftly woven story Fison has created a novel that will be enjoyed by fans of both Jodi Picoult and Liane Moriarty. Melanie, NSW, 4 Stars
One Punch is a moral dilemma novel similar to Jodi Picoult’s work, set in the city suburbs of Brisbane. Two mothers, Yasmin and Evie are on opposite sides when Yasmin’s son Daniel, is left with brain damage after a drunken attack in Fortitude Valley, by a stranger, who is turns out to be Brody, Evie’s son. On the spectrum, he has been bullied at school for years by the popular Daniel, who can do no wrong in his mother’s eyes. Initially noone knows who is responsible for the attack, until Evie becomes increasingly suspicious that Brody is involved. She is determined to protect Brody and cover up the crime, but this becomes increasingly difficult as she battles her conscience and fears that Daniel may remember who is responsible. While I did prefer single working mum Evie to the privileged (and slightly annoying to me) Yasmin, both characters are well rounded. The storyline is engaging and thought provoking, looking at a situation where the attacker may be as sympathetic as the victim. I also really enjoyed how well the location of Brisbane is described, knowing the area it added another level to the story. Thank you to Julie Fison and Better Reading for the opportunity to read this excellent novel. Juanita, NSW, 4 Stars
A compelling read about one night, one event and two boys that has catastrophic impacts for two families. Told from the perspective of the two mothers you see through their eyes the lengths they are both willing to go to for their own child. Poor choices are made by both and nothing is clear cut. I found as we switched between perspectives it was frustrating as the story would cut abruptly. There was a lot of tension so it did keep me hooked and reading, hoping to find out how it would end. The ending is interesting but not as satisfying for me because I had made up my own ending as it seemed to hint at something that didn’t get resolved. Overall a great read on very difficult subject matters! Judy, NSW, 4 Stars
One Punch is a story for our times. As the author, Julie Fison, acknowledges, the inspiration for the book was the attack on a friend’s son and the reader can so readily identify with such an incident. The characters are all very believable and almost archetypes. The pace of the novel is racy and constantly surprising the reader with its twists and turns. As viewpoints change with different knowledge and information the characters of Evie and Yasmin especially, are drawn to a more compassionate view of incidences which at first sight are totally abhorrent and unforgivable. A novel which will resonate with every parent. An excellent read and a very worthy first novel. Felicia, WA, 4 Stars
This book One Punch highlights how ones actions can affect the lives of so many people. I could relate to the struggles the Mother’s had of doing whatever they could to protect their child. How much can one person take before they retaliate? Kody, QLD, 4 Stars
One Punch can change the world. Not only for the victim but also the perpetrator. A well constructed insight from both sides of the story, with a villain thrown in the mix. Was redemption served? Maryanne, NSW, 4 Stars
Absolutely brilliant! It has the moral dilemma of an early Jodi Picoult, sprinkled with the amazing family dynamics of Liane Moriarty. At times I was frustrated by the way the mothers were blind to the failings of their kids and parenting decisions. But of course that is the brilliant part – no mother is perfect and they are all doing the best they can. There were brilliant characters, especially Evie’s best mate Winnie. But one of my favourite characters by far was Brisbane, the glorious setting of the book – it was a delight to read about somewhere you have lived and not cringe but instead twinkle with delight to recognise locations. Jennifer, NSW, 4 Stars
This book has a Jodi Picoult/Liane Moriarty kind of vibe: one incident (a one-punch attack on a high school senior) has catastrophic consequences on both victim and perpetrator, and their families. The author brings discourses of social class, bullying, male aggression, entitlement and motherhood to the fore via this predominantly character-driven novel. Both mums have infuriating but predictable blind spots for their sons. The young men in the novel reflect many of the tropes of entitlement and a lack of impulse control that are seen as ubiquitous in private school boys. The ending did not provide me with as much of a sense of resolution as I would have liked. It was plausible, but I couldn’t help but feel that everyone got off the hook rather than deal with the deeper issues. Penny, QLD, 3 Stars
Yasmin Weston and Evie MacIntyre are the mothers of two teenage boys involved in a one punch attack which leaves one of the boys badly injured. This is a heart wrenching story on both sides. Was this an unprovoked attack on an innocent person or was the injured boy a bully that got what was coming to him? As both mothers deal with the aftermath of the event, things come up about their sons that they didn’t know and it is no longer a simple matter of an innocent person being coward punched but delves deeper into the lives of the boys and what led to this and the anguish of both mothers as they deal with what their sons are going through after the event. I found this story very slow to start off but once it got going it was a very thought provoking tale about two families and one night that changed their lives forever. Kelly, WA, 3 Stars
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