One and Only by Jenny Holiday (Bridesmaids Behaving Badly #1)
Publication Date: February 27, 2018
Contemporary Romance
Forever
Reviewed by Kini
Favorite Quote: “I’m going to. I just need… a minute.” “For what?” To change his mind? Like hell. She was standing there, panties wet and nipples almost painfully tight, a caricature of sexual desire. She hadn’t confronted her big emotional block about casual sex only to have the proceedings derailed now. She pulled harder on his head and bounced a little on her toes. Maybe this was one instance in which high heels would actually be worth the pain. The smile disappeared, and for a moment she feared she’d offended him, that he was going to call the whole thing off. “To pause and take things in. To pause and take you in. Because once this starts, Jane…” “What?” she whispered. “We’re going to set this fucking house on fire.”
It is no secret that I am a Jenny Holiday fangirl. I had Infamous on my favorites of 2017. I have thoroughly enjoyed every single book of hers and she is officially on my auto-read list. This book was such a delight. First off I want to address the cover, it is super cute and does not properly convey how sexy this book was. The book is funny and sweet and sexy and all the things I absolutely love in my romance.
The heroine, Jane, is described as boring and the responsible one in her friend group. She isn’t very adventurous and lives a little vicariously through the characters in the novels she writes. Even though she is a little reserved, she doesn’t see herself in a negative fashion. As the wedding of her BFF is about to happen, she gets tasked with “babysitting” the younger brother of the groom.
The hero, Cameron, is returning to civilian life after some time in the military. He is a reformed “bad boy” who was never really bad. He mad some dumb choices as a teenager and early twenties and dealt with the consequences. He’s grown up and ready to be a real adult.
Jane picks Cam up from the airport and he instantly views her as “chubby and mousy” and is kind of rude to her. He is irritated that his brother has assigned someone to keep watch over him and takes it out on her. Jane is immediately taken by his handsomeness, but because of his initial douchery is on her guard with him. The two of them start spending more time together as Jane is avoiding tasks assigned to her by the bride and Cam wants to do things he hasn’t done during the years in the military.
As they spend time together, Cam quickly changes his thoughts toward Jane being plain. By Chapter 5 he is fully seeing her beauty. And I was here for every moment of it. There is a scene where he thinks Jane is drunk and she really wants to have sex with Cam but he refuses because of consent. Cam was pretty much amazing. I have a note to myself that Cam is a caretaker. He sees Jane struggling with being adventurous and he is a great support to her while she does things that scare her. I LOVED IT.
Jane was a great heroine, I don’t want to sell her short. But I really loved the progression of Cam falling for her and seeing her for more than the mousy woman he first took her as. Jane too has to see Cam for more than the troublemaker, high school dropout as he was first described to her. Both characters have more depth than they first see. A theme throughout the book is that Jane is concerned that her dress won’t fit for the wedding. She is trying to be conscientious of eating, but Cameron encourages her to live her life. In a very body positive type of way.
There is a conflict, but it was handled well and there is some groveling happening in this book. But when Cameron works to make it better, I pretty much instantly forgave him. Because this-
He smiled, a small, almost wistful smile. “I’m trying. Somehow, I can jump off buildings and be on the front lines of a war, but I don’t know how to…” His voice trailed off, and he had to clear his throat. “I don’t know how to let someone love me.”
There is so much that I loved about this book. It hit every one of my sweet spots. I strong, yet slightly flawed heroine and hero. Witty dialogue. Super hot sex. Characters that figure their shit out. I had so many quotes highlighted from this book. I love the alpha-caretaker hero so much, I want them in all my books. There are little glimpses into the next book, but the other characters didn’t overwhelm the story. I look forward to future books. I really recommend this book and hope that many will read and enjoy it as much as I did.
Grade: A
Recent Reviews:
Harlequin Junkie
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I haven’t read anything by this author, but you’re tempting me!
Kareni, I really love Holiday’s writing. I can’t recommend her enough.
I LOVED this book. I’m a bad reviewer though and everything you said I totally agree with (nod nod). I had a hard time finding another book to read after this one because I couldn’t find anything that had all the wonderfulness this book had. I can’t wait for the next one!
Jenny, I have had a tough time really getting in to a book after this too. Holiday is such a gifted writer. I have loved all the stories I have read of hers.
I’m halfway through the book and your review caught my eye. I totally agree with you. I love when an author does a good job of showing flawed characters, but then shows them actually learning from their mistakes and growing. I’ve read Jenny Holiday’s 49th floor series, but nothing since then. I think I need to go back and catch up.