The Only One by Lauren Blakely Series: Holiday/Hammer #5
on December 6th 2016
Genres: Contemporary
Pages: 135
Goodreads
FINAL DECISION: Great setup for the story, but the explanation was so stupid and all the anger and disappointment was immediately gone. I just didn’t buy it and thus this story fell a little flat for me.
THE STORY: Ten years ago, Penelope “Penny” Jones met a man in Barcelona and they had a torrid affair for a few days. They were to meet in New York but he never showed. Now Penny owns an animal rescue business and is looking desperately for a restaurant to host her business event. She ends up meeting again Gabriel Mathias, the hot restaurateur (in more ways than one). He is the man with whom she had the affair but when they meet again, Gabriel doesn’t recognize her.
OPINION: This novella had a fabulous premise and the book went really well until the issue of what happened ten years ago was brought up.
Penny is a woman who was heartbroken when she was stood up by Gabriel ten years ago. But that event also propelled her into changing her life. She has never been able to forget Gabriel, but she hasn’t been sitting in her room weeping either. She loves animals and has made herself a success in her animal rescue work. When she meets up with Gabriel again, she is torn between wanting to avoid him, wanting to get some kind of revenge, and just wanting him.
Gabriel has hit the big time. After winning a television cooking competition, he has become a hot commodity. Yet, he has never forgotten the woman he knew for a short time ten years ago. He has gone on, but he hasn’t forgotten her.
This book was a real winner until the real reason for their missed date ten years ago is revealed. I had a couple of problems with it. First, I just didn’t buy the reason. I lived through those years and I don’t buy that they didn’t have ways to get in touch. Ever heard of writing a letter? He knew where she worked. Second, Penny immediately dismissed her ten years of biting anger and resentment. I just don’t believe that she would immediately forget what motivated her for years even if she realized that it was a mistake.
For me, this was a book with a good premise but it didn’t live up to the promise.
WORTH MENTIONING: Shortcake is a great name for a dog.
CONNECTED BOOKS: THE ONLY ONE is the fifth book in the Holiday/Hammer series of books (although they are listed as standalones there are overlapping characters). This book has characters from THE SEXY ONE and WELL HUNG.
STAR RATING: I give this book 3 stars.