A review by naomilane
The One You Want by Gena Showalter

4.0

I love Gena Showalter. I love her so much guys. She's an amazing author and just an awesome person. THE ORIGINAL HEARTBREAKERS is her first contemporary series, something new for her and, as always, she owned it!

THE ONE YOU WANT is a novella, a prequel to the first book of the series. I really liked it, it's short so don't expect something deep and profound because the romance happens very fast but, still, it was a very nice novella and it did its job: now I definitely want to read the rest of the series!

"Suddenly I'm feeling very hungry for something else."
"Oh, yeah? For what, exactly?"
"Sundae à la Dane."

Kenna is a twenty-three year old mother, she has a bad reputation because she had her daughter very young but also because of her mother (her mother was the mistress of Dane's father for over sixteen years and now they're finally getting married). She's actually a very decent person, who's trying very hard to regain a good reputation and have a normal and good life for her daughter.

Dane is a twenty-nine year old very wealthy business man who left Strawberry Valley sixteen years ago and now he's back because his father is getting married to Kenna's mother. He knew Kenna back then, he was rude to her before he left and now he wants to apologize. Just apologize, nothing else, because he isn't a man who does relationship and he does not get involved with mothers. But the moment he sees her, everything changes.

I don't always read novellas because short books aren't my thing but I wanted to read this series in its entirety so I gave this one a shot, and I do not regret it! First of all, it gave me an idea of what I can expect of this series and we get to meet the three hot guys who are going to feature in the next three books and two of the women as well. Second of all, I just loved it! It was a sweet, steamy and funny story and it put a big smile of my face.

Kenna and Dane were both great characters and super funny. Like I said, everything happens very quickly because it's a short book but it didn't feel like it was forced or sudden, Gena knows what she's doing.

It's a bit cheesy at times but, well, still cute. Dane pissed me off at some point, Kenna too if I'm being honest. I think it was actually because of the length of the book, Gena couldn't develop the characters as she normally does and, so, some of their reactions seemed weird and unexpected but I'm hoping it won't be like that in the full novels.

The secondary characters were interesting, we don't learn a lot about them since the book is really focused on Kenna and Dane but we still get to meet them and Gena leaves us wanting for more. Norrie though, this adorable little girl is the best!

Overall, THE ONE YOU WANT, is a great prequel novella. It's funny, sexy, interesting and after reading it, you'll want to buy the next installment.

A quote I really liked:

"What'd she do to win a wild man like you?"
"She breathed."