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shadowmaster13's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
hiveretcafe's review against another edition
4.0
I can understand why my friends really enjoyed this book!
Cameron is a bad boy. He has a reputation that precedes him as the troublemaker and the playboy and Elise is not about to let him ruin her wedding, which leads to Jane's babysitting of him. However, Cameron is misunderstood and really just a super good dude at heart. Despite how the book starts out, with the bit in his point of view, he's just a misunderstood good guy who really just melted my heart.
Jane is in control. She knows exactly what she's doing and has a view on the world that's a little weird but makes sense given her need for control. She's a nerd and a writer and she's still recovering from her bad boyfriend of six years who she broke up with five years ago. However, she's perfectly happy being alone and she's somewhat annoyed to be seen as the responsible friend. it's the reason that she picks up the job of being Cameron's babysitter. I really enjoyed reading her opening her heart up to Cameron and also watching him open up as well.
Overall, this book was really cute and fun and wholesome if you skip over the sex. LOL. The sex scenes were pretty good though. *ok hand emoji*
Also, it was kind of weird seeing Toronto places being mentioned in the book. Like it's not a terrible thing, it's just weird seeing my city being the setting of a book because books are never set in Toronto. LOL
Cameron is a bad boy. He has a reputation that precedes him as the troublemaker and the playboy and Elise is not about to let him ruin her wedding, which leads to Jane's babysitting of him. However, Cameron is misunderstood and really just a super good dude at heart. Despite how the book starts out, with the bit in his point of view, he's just a misunderstood good guy who really just melted my heart.
Jane is in control. She knows exactly what she's doing and has a view on the world that's a little weird but makes sense given her need for control. She's a nerd and a writer and she's still recovering from her bad boyfriend of six years who she broke up with five years ago. However, she's perfectly happy being alone and she's somewhat annoyed to be seen as the responsible friend. it's the reason that she picks up the job of being Cameron's babysitter. I really enjoyed reading her opening her heart up to Cameron and also watching him open up as well.
Overall, this book was really cute and fun and wholesome if you skip over the sex. LOL. The sex scenes were pretty good though. *ok hand emoji*
Also, it was kind of weird seeing Toronto places being mentioned in the book. Like it's not a terrible thing, it's just weird seeing my city being the setting of a book because books are never set in Toronto. LOL
lifeand100books's review
4.0
This was such a great story. So many common tropes were found within it and yet I was still left wondering how it would all turn out.
Enjoyed it so much I finished and immediately bought book 2. Can't wait to read it
Enjoyed it so much I finished and immediately bought book 2. Can't wait to read it
norwayellesea's review against another edition
5.0
I've never taken part in a read-along before, but for a Jenny Holiday novel, I couldn't resist.
With the wedding season upon us, this is a perfect time to read One and Only. With a bridezilla and her band of bridesmaids, One and Only has a hilarious narrative but still has a depth which balances perfectly with the fun and frivolity.
Cameron MacKinnon, soon to be brother-in-law to Elise the bride, is a bad boy she doesn't want to spoil her wedding. On his arrival, Jane, a bridesmaid is given the job to babysit him; to keep him from causing trouble. However, he's someone who doesn't fit his reputation when the truths are revealed along with his feelings of love for the least expected woman.
Jane and her friends are going above and beyond the call of duty as bridesmaids to Elise. They are sacrificing a week of their time to ensure their friend has the wedding of her dreams. When they are told about the infamous brother of the groom, the group are horrified by the list of 'crimes' he's committed. Yet pragmatic Jane willingly accepts the challenge to watch him. After all its a respite and surely more fun than the numerous arts and crafts the bride has signed them up for...because Cameron can't really be such a problem, can he?
One of the overriding features of this novel is the closeness and unswerving support the four friends have for each other. The pact of sisterhood shines through as Jane, Wendy and Gia go along with Elise's crafty whims. The four women are very different and I love how Jane somehow managed to maintain her unique spirit and identity. It's refreshing and charming even if some of the group don't fully appreciate her individuality.
Cameron is definitely misunderstood and has carried the burden of his past for many years as he's tried to overcome problems on his part. I like that he owns his issues and finally acknowledges how it is possible for others to see the real 'him' if he allows them too. As a pair, he and Jane seem very different, but despite their individual issues, they somehow manage to help each other to overcome the problems that have hindered them to finally enable them to move forward on both a person and mutual front.
If you haven't discovered Jenny Holiday's novels before, this is a fabulous place to start. Well written, I appreciate the humour and the references incorporated into the narrative. Whether you are reading along with friends or down at the beach or pool, this is a perfect read for the wedding season.
***ebook received courtesy of Forever Publishing via NetGalley***
With the wedding season upon us, this is a perfect time to read One and Only. With a bridezilla and her band of bridesmaids, One and Only has a hilarious narrative but still has a depth which balances perfectly with the fun and frivolity.
Cameron MacKinnon, soon to be brother-in-law to Elise the bride, is a bad boy she doesn't want to spoil her wedding. On his arrival, Jane, a bridesmaid is given the job to babysit him; to keep him from causing trouble. However, he's someone who doesn't fit his reputation when the truths are revealed along with his feelings of love for the least expected woman.
Jane and her friends are going above and beyond the call of duty as bridesmaids to Elise. They are sacrificing a week of their time to ensure their friend has the wedding of her dreams. When they are told about the infamous brother of the groom, the group are horrified by the list of 'crimes' he's committed. Yet pragmatic Jane willingly accepts the challenge to watch him. After all its a respite and surely more fun than the numerous arts and crafts the bride has signed them up for...because Cameron can't really be such a problem, can he?
One of the overriding features of this novel is the closeness and unswerving support the four friends have for each other. The pact of sisterhood shines through as Jane, Wendy and Gia go along with Elise's crafty whims. The four women are very different and I love how Jane somehow managed to maintain her unique spirit and identity. It's refreshing and charming even if some of the group don't fully appreciate her individuality.
Cameron is definitely misunderstood and has carried the burden of his past for many years as he's tried to overcome problems on his part. I like that he owns his issues and finally acknowledges how it is possible for others to see the real 'him' if he allows them too. As a pair, he and Jane seem very different, but despite their individual issues, they somehow manage to help each other to overcome the problems that have hindered them to finally enable them to move forward on both a person and mutual front.
If you haven't discovered Jenny Holiday's novels before, this is a fabulous place to start. Well written, I appreciate the humour and the references incorporated into the narrative. Whether you are reading along with friends or down at the beach or pool, this is a perfect read for the wedding season.
***ebook received courtesy of Forever Publishing via NetGalley***
theamyleblanc's review against another edition
3.0
I needed a palate cleanser and this did the job admirably! I found myself enjoying it a little more than I thought I would, which was a pleasant surprise. The plot was simple enough and I knew the general direction it would go but it had deeper moments that I appreciated. It wasn't too heavy but it wasn't pure fluff, either; it struck just the right balance and that's quite the accomplishment.
Jane was such an entertaining character. I loved her spirit and spunk and willingness to keep trying despite her fears or reservations. And there's something about her being an author that was wildly appealing. All the characters were great, actually. They were very distinct and I could see other storylines spinning off in the future.
I think there was a bit of a missed opportunity with the cover here. The woman, presumably Jane, doesn't seem like her at all. I mean, she's wearing heels. And while there is a lot of body-positivity in the story, this woman cheapens it. She doesn't look like Jane is described and that's disappointing to me.
All in all, it was a good, quick read! I'd recommend it to anyone who:
- needs a palate cleanser
- wants some uplifting, feel-good entertainment
- enjoys romance novels
Jane was such an entertaining character. I loved her spirit and spunk and willingness to keep trying despite her fears or reservations. And there's something about her being an author that was wildly appealing. All the characters were great, actually. They were very distinct and I could see other storylines spinning off in the future.
I think there was a bit of a missed opportunity with the cover here. The woman, presumably Jane, doesn't seem like her at all. I mean, she's wearing heels. And while there is a lot of body-positivity in the story, this woman cheapens it. She doesn't look like Jane is described and that's disappointing to me.
All in all, it was a good, quick read! I'd recommend it to anyone who:
- needs a palate cleanser
- wants some uplifting, feel-good entertainment
- enjoys romance novels
brandypainter's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this more than I expected to when I first started reading. I ended up loving both Jane and Cameron. They are both complex people and more than the bad boy/nerd girl dynamic the book starts with. She is very nerdy and Cam loves that. He is not a bad boy at all. This might have been five stars for me except Cam's insistence that he was a no good life ruiner resulted in a dramatic conflict that I didn't feel was necessary for the love the story to reach a satisfying conclusion, especially given the character dynamics involved with Jane. However, it was excellent in all other aspects and I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
kaylareadsbooks's review against another edition
5.0
I really liked this one. a lot. i loved the characters and the plot line.
tessanne's review against another edition
5.0
Very fun, hooked me right away. Loved how multiple characters really had their personalities shine through and their arcs were great. Looking forward to the next one.
agrandromance's review against another edition
4.0
Great Opposites Attract Romance
I love romances set in Canada especially by actual Canadian authors. This was a great funny emotional and slightly steamy romance that involves a YA author and a man with a bad reputation but great character. Neither Jane or Cameron are looking for love as they are saddled with each other in the weeks up to Elise and Jay's wedding but they find it!
I love romances set in Canada especially by actual Canadian authors. This was a great funny emotional and slightly steamy romance that involves a YA author and a man with a bad reputation but great character. Neither Jane or Cameron are looking for love as they are saddled with each other in the weeks up to Elise and Jay's wedding but they find it!
mdalida's review against another edition
5.0
Y’all. This BOOK.
I can’t think about it objectively because this book was Me! Like the author wrote this book with my favorite catnips and also wrote Me into it! I’ve loved this book since the 2%mark!
If you say “Xena:Warrior Princess” to anyone I know, they’ll say “What is Mara’s obsession since childhood?”!! When our heroine was trying on her Xena outfit for ComicCon, I squealed. When her daily outfit was skinny jeans, a flowy tshirt, and leopard flats - I thought the author had been following me. When Jane freaked TF out at a haunted house, I wondered if the author may have seen me before. She’s a YA writer!! It was EERIE how much I connected with Jane.
And Cameron. Holy mother loving swoon. The pain, the insecurity, the yearning, the charm, the fixer, the protector. Swoon. Swoon. Swoon.
The story of two people dealing with past pain and somehow being the perfect balm to each other was so romantically heart stopping. I loved the banter. I loved the new perspective that they both brought to each other’s worlds. I loved the openness of their sexy times. I’m writing this seconds after finishing the book when I usually wait days because I’m on such a book high.
I can’t think about it objectively because this book was Me! Like the author wrote this book with my favorite catnips and also wrote Me into it! I’ve loved this book since the 2%mark!
If you say “Xena:Warrior Princess” to anyone I know, they’ll say “What is Mara’s obsession since childhood?”!! When our heroine was trying on her Xena outfit for ComicCon, I squealed. When her daily outfit was skinny jeans, a flowy tshirt, and leopard flats - I thought the author had been following me. When Jane freaked TF out at a haunted house, I wondered if the author may have seen me before. She’s a YA writer!! It was EERIE how much I connected with Jane.
And Cameron. Holy mother loving swoon. The pain, the insecurity, the yearning, the charm, the fixer, the protector. Swoon. Swoon. Swoon.
The story of two people dealing with past pain and somehow being the perfect balm to each other was so romantically heart stopping. I loved the banter. I loved the new perspective that they both brought to each other’s worlds. I loved the openness of their sexy times. I’m writing this seconds after finishing the book when I usually wait days because I’m on such a book high.