One Plus One: A Novel

One Plus One reimagines what it means to be a family, defining it through shared love, mutual support, and resilience, rather than by biological ties or traditional structures. The novel presents the blended Thomas family as a testament to the idea that true belonging is forged through mutual care and shared experience. This unconventional unit, composed of a single mother, her daughter, and her stepson, demonstrates that the bonds of choice and commitment are often stronger than those of blood.

The foundation of this non-traditional family is Jess’s unwavering dedication to her children. Her devotion to her daughter, Tanzie, and particularly to her stepson, Nicky, embodies the novel’s vision of chosen kinship. When Nicky’s biological mother abandons him and his father, Marty, proves incapable of caring for him, Jess steps in without hesitation. She raises him as her own and assumes full responsibility for his upbringing. Her love is not an obligation but a choice, establishing a family dynamic based on active commitment rather than passive biological connection. Moyes contrasts Jess’s determined protection of Nicky with the indifference of his biological parents who have failed him, highlighting that the strength of a family depends on emotional investment rather than formal ties.