Title: The One That I Want
Author: Jennifer Echols
Publication date: 6/12/2011 in Digital & 2/7/2012 in Paperback
Publisher: Simone Pulse
Publisher: Simone Pulse
Genre(s): Young Adult (Contemporary)
Source: Own
Format: Ebook
Format: Ebook
Pages: 320
Gemma can’t believe her luck when the star football player starts flirting with her. Max is totally swoon-worthy, and even gets her quirky sense of humor. So when he asks out her so-called best friend Addison, Gemma’s heartbroken.
Then Addison pressures Gemma to join the date with one of Max’s friends. But the more time they all spend together, the harder Gemma falls for Max. She can’t help thinking that Max likes her back—it’s just too bad he’s already dating Addison. How can Gemma get the guy she wants without going after her best friend’s boyfriend?
As soon as I found out Jennifer Echols has a new Simone Pulse release, I had to get it ASAP, and I did, on its release I instantly got it and read it. I am a huge fan of Jennifer Echols, especially her Simone Pulse novels so I had high expectations for it.
While I wasn't disappointed, this isn't my favorite read my Jennifer Echols. This is partly to the plot; it was a bit too simple and the whole miscommunication that caused the whole misunderstanding. I just hoped there was a bit more to it. Nonetheless, The One That I Want was cute cute cute! and you can definitely feel Jennifer Echol's style of writing.
This is the story: Gemma sees a guy that she is interested in, she felt the same vibes from him, but her oh lovely best friend gets in between and announces that they're double dating! Addison and Max with Gemma and Max's friend.. wait. what? hold up. Didn't Gemma already tell Addison that she's interested in Max? Addison, you are officially crowned the worst best friend award of the year, and trust me, you had some hard competition (Addison Blakly's best friend, Corrine's best friend, etc). It just amazes me the superficiality of so many friendships in books lately, and I honestly understand where they're coming from. I've had a best friend for over 10 years, but last year we had a fall out, and that's it, it's over. While you might not be able to see yourself letting go, sometimes its for the best, and I just hope that some of the protagonists see that before having to go through years of "supposed" friendship.
Throughout the whole book all I am thinking is "Make the first move! god you two are just wusses! you like each other!" This sort of hesitation and just "missed opportunities" annoyed the hell out of me. I mean why would Gemma care about Addison's feelings when obviously the only feelings Addison cares about is her own? yes, this is what makes our protagonist a better person than Addison, but still, be selfish! get what you want!
The book definitely had its cute moments with Max and Gemma, its frustrating moments with Addison and Gemma, and its awkward moments with Gemma and Max's best friend. Oh and did I mention Max is Japanese? Sugoi! daisuke desu! I love how Jennifer Echols deviated from the usual love interest, and a Japanese? let me just say I am a HUGE fan of the Japanese culture so that brought a smile to my face!
This is a book for all contemporary lovers, Jennifer Echols knows how to please her readers and she did it again in The One That I Want.
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Check Jennifer Echol's other Simon Pulse releases:
Brilliant review, Juhina! You know, Jennifer Echols' books are the few contemporary books I actually want to read. I have a copy of Going Too Far that I'm waiting to get stuck in to. If that goes well, I'll have to check out this book, too. :D
ReplyDeleteI haven't read anything by Jennifer Echols! *hangs head in shame* Clearly I'm missing out and need to remedy that situation asap. Perhaps not with this one though because all the "missed opportunities" you mentioned would frustrate me as well. Thanks for such a fantastic review!
ReplyDeleteooh yes! definitely read The Boys Next Door and also her MTV Books! " Love Story " is pretty awesome!!
Delete- juhina
Great review! Thanks for sharing. :)
ReplyDeleteI've awarded you the Versatile Blogger Award! To collect it, visit: http://wordsoftheworlds.blogspot.com/2012/01/two-time-versatile-blogger-award-winner.html
Alexandra~
OMG OMG OMG!!! Why have I never heard of this book before!?!?! It sounds like something I would love! Gosh the romance sounds sooooooo sweet *swoons*!!!! Great review :) I am definitely picking up these books.
ReplyDeleteJaskirat~SeeitORreadit
Tempest and The Eternal One's Giveaway!
Great review! Thanks for sharing. :)i can't wait 2 read her books
ReplyDeleteIt sounds cute, but simple like you said. I've got the whole plot already figured out just from the review. I've had enough of these books for awhile unless Stephanie Perkins is writing them. But, thanks for the review, because I would have wondered and now, when I need something cute, I know where to go. Especially since I'm doing the Just Contemps. Challenge this year. Not doing very well so far!! Might need to pick this one up after all!
ReplyDeleteLOL!
Heather
The One That I Want is a quirky, fun, romantic read with a lead character that is both the underdog and the clear winner at once. Gemma is worthy of us to root for the entire way through and any moments that she has that may give us doubt are short lived as she is just a good person through and through. Yes, she has her flaws, but she works on fixing them herself and is able to achieve her goals. While the story may not have been written with the intention of learning a moral lesson – I think that those that read this one will be reminded to stay true to ones self and to trust their own instincts. The character of Addison was written so well that I wanted to jump through the pages and strangle her myself.
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