This was an entertaining, well-written book. It held my interest and I wanted to find out what would happen. I enjoyed this book and would read other books by this author.

Jennifer Ryan truly wrote one highly emotional and trigger-filled romance novel with The One You Want. Trigger warning: If child abuse, abandonment, domestic violence, physical, verbal and emotional abuse, alcoholism, lying, and cheating are issues for you, this novel may be a poor choice for you. Although I have issues with some of the aforementioned, I found myself enjoying the strength and family/friend relationships in this novel, and am giving it 4 stars for the way these issues were handled.

To escape her father's abuse, 3 years after his death, Rose returns home to her mother and sister after leaving for college 8 years earlier and not even returning for her father's funeral, to be maid of honor at her lifelong best friend, Maggie's wedding to Marc. Rose's mother is still suffering from all the abuse she took from her late husband, and her younger sister is wearing her feelings of hurt and anger about what she considers Rose's abandonment of her 8 years earlier, with her dyed black hair, black clothing and hostile attitude. With a good therapist and a lot of work, Rose seems to have overcome her past abuse, but is she strong enough to help her mother and sister begin to live for themselves again? No spoilers here.

When Rose finally meets Maggie's fiance, Marc, she's in shock. It seems she had a drunken one-night stand with him months before he ever met her best friend, Maggie, but at the same time she meets his best man, Gray, and the two are immediately attracted to one another. It was a tad too insta-love for this reader's taste, but I was intrigued to learn how her previous knowledge of Marc would play out, especially since, at first, he appears not to remember her--but, as we soon learn, it's just a false front, and Rose is torn between wanting to admit to Maggie that she and Marc knew each other, that she was turned off when she saw a text from his other girlfriend early the next morning after their night together, and furious when she realized he'd made her "the other woman", and yet not wanting to hurt her relationship with her best friend or damage her upcoming marriage by admitting that fact to Maggie. None of this situation is helped by the fact that Marc is trying to manipulate the situation, lie to Maggie, make sure that Rose keeps his one-night stand with Rose private, while also, for reasons of his own, also attempting to sabotage Rose and Gray's budding relationship, but will Marc succeed?

While I enjoyed and sympathized with Rose's attempts to help her mother and sister recover from their years of abuse, again, their recovery it seemed a little too fast-paced to this reader. One doesn't recover from that kind of trauma quickly or easily. Additionally, I wish the author had spent more time and added more depth to Rose's insta-love relationship with Gray, a truly likeable character, but even at the end of the novel, I still felt that their relationship seemed too pat, too easy, too quick, and that neither character had really had the opportunity to truly know and learn about one another.

This was a deeply emotional novel, and despite all the triggers, The One You Want was a good, solid read by Ms. Ryan, however, I think that expanding the time frame in which the novel took place might have made for a better, more cohesive and more believable romance, both for Maggie and Rose.

I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this novel. The opinions expressed are my own.

Rose came home because of her best friends wedding her friend Maggie. She also came home to spend time with her mom and sister. The story goes to show if you believe in love all your dreams will come true if you work hard enough to make it happen.

The One You Want by Jennifer Ryan is an emotional romance about friends, family, and love. Family dynamics and tested friendships are themes in this lovely story.

Rose returns to the home she left years ago, escaping her monster of a father and leaving behind her mother and her younger sister. Her father is gone now, but memories of her life are still around. She’s back in town to be the maid of honor at her best friend, Maggie’s wedding. However, when she meets the groom, Marc, she is horrified as she realizes that she has a past with him, specifically a one-night stand. She knows she must tell her friend Maggie the truth. She’s also very attracted to the Best Man, Grey.

She also has to reconcile her feelings for her family, especially her younger sister, Poppy. She knew that the only way to survive her father’s abuse was to leave as soon as possible, but she didn’t like that she had to leave Poppy behind to suffer the abuse alone.

I thought the first part of this book was the best. I liked the way the author handled the domestic abuse story and Rose’s return to the town and her family. I liked the way, Rose and her sister Poppy forged a new relationship. The family drama in this book is well done.

The romance between Rose and Grey was good, and I liked Grey very much. But Rose and Grey together were fast and furious, with their feeling growing very fast. I did not like Maggie’s fiance, Marc. I know I’m not supposed to like Marc, but I didn’t like the way Rose handled telling Maggie and Grey about her past with Marc. It was a messy love triangle. However, it did make for a dramatic confrontation between Rose and Grey near the end.

Overall, this is an emotional book about past mistakes and growing and changing. The backstory of domestic abuse by Rose’s father was handled very well, and I liked that the family members were working hard to recover from the trauma.

I recommend The One You Want to anyone who enjoys romance. I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I was completely flattened after finishing The One You Want. I thought I’d read a light hearted romance but was I ever wrong. It’s an intense read, beginning with a very deep difficult subject and other issues. I waited for the explosion to happen amd wondered if the revelation was really necessary.
I was hung over for Gray one word after he was introduced. I simultaneously swooned and gagged at he and Rose’s fast fall into each other. I’m distrustful at the quickness but also envious too.
Great book with lots of emotion and situations.

This book was so interesting. There was romance, heartbreak, jealousy and mischief. Maggie was getting married and wanted her BFF from kindergarten for her maid of honor. Rose was glad to, but hadn't been home in over 8 years as she escaped from an abusive father. What she found at home was heartbreaking as her mom and sister acted as though her father was still there..
Maggie introduces her to her fiance and to her horror, it was the man she slept with a year ago and found out he was cheating with her on his girlfriend. But the best man - that's another story. Their attraction was off the charts. There was sweet getting to know you scenes, hot chemistry and a bit of trouble that was explained quickly. Their scenes in the story were wonderful. I felt bad for Maggie - none of the trouble was her fault - she wanted a home and family so bad.
All in all,, I really liked the story and going to look for more of this authors work.

This book has an intriguing premise: what happens when Rose goes back home to her friend's wedding, only to find out her friend is marrying a previous one night stand and Rose becomes attracted (more like instalove) to the groom. That in itself makes for a page turner, with great dialogue and realistic characters. The story, however, unfolds at a very fast pace. Everything happens right away, with a lots of angst and tough issues, one after the other, plus that instalove. It's a good story that would be better if it developed more organically.

3.5 stars. I enjoyed the book. The story held my interest. Liked the character development. There were a few plots that I felt were not necessary to move the story along. I was a bit uncomfortable with Poppy’s reason for her anger towards her sister. I understand the abandonment feeling, but did not get wanting her there to take pressure off yourself. The scene at the rehearsal dinner involving the police I did not feel was necessary. In all an enjoyable read.

Rose returns home after years of being away to be the maid of honor in her friend's wedding. She said she would never return to her hometown and after meeting her friend's fiance she realizes she was right. What do you do when you have a big secret that can ruin your best friend's wedding? They used to share everything but this is different. Great characters who have to figure out what is the right thing to do.

The One You Want is Jennifer Ryan’s latest romance novel featuring two intertwined stories about lifelong best friends. The book begins with Maggie trying on her wedding dress eight days before her wedding, with her best friend, Rose Howell, in town to help and serve as Maid of Honor. This is Rose’s first trip home since graduating from high school eight years earlier, due to her abusive father. Even though he dies three years ago, she hasn’t reconciled with her mother, Nancy, or younger sister, Poppy. Rose is looking forward to meeting some eligible bachelors since she hasn’t dated in a year, due to a disastrous morning after following a drunken one-night stand.

Maggie is thrilled to be marrying Marc Pearson, a businessman who is running his father’s company, and eager to start a family. She and her previous boyfriend, Joel, broke up due to his not wanting children. Marc has rushed their courtship and engagement and has isolated Maggie from Rose. His romantic ardor for Maggie has diminished the closer to the wedding they get, and she suspects that something is off. Maggie is hoping to pair Rose with Marc’s cousin and best man, Gray Pearson.

When Rose is introduced to Gray, she feels an instant connection and cannot wait to explore the possibilities. However her excitement is squashed when she meets the groom, Marc, who was her one-night-stand from a year ago. She vacillates between divulging their previous association to both Maggie and Gray, particularly because Marc was cheating on his then-girlfriend, Andrea, with Rose.

Rose received counseling in college to help her deal with her father’s emotional and physical abuse and her mother’s inaction. She feels guilty for leaving Poppy behind, after years of protecting her. Poppy now has emotional issues so Rose shares her insights with both her mother and sister. There are several powerful conversations that contain valuable information for abuse victims.

Rose and Gray are embroiled in a scorching affair by the second day of their acquaintance. Gray even offers her a job at the company where he is a Chief Financial Officer, based on her computer coding position at a rival firm. Rose has some strong words for her manager when he calls her on what’s supposed to be her vacation; again this is valuable advice for women who are battling workplace discrimination.

If I reveal any more of the plot, I will be spoiling it for the reader. Like previous Jennifer Ryan books, this story contains profanity, lots of alcohol consumption, sex, and depictions of physical abuse. I did not like the insta-relationship between Rose and Gray, nor how quickly Maggie bounced between Joel and Marc. Rose’s crucial conversations with her family and boss makes up for it, in my opinion. While The One You Want may be triggering for survivors of child abuse, the insights that Rose shares may many readers and their family and friends.

I received an advance review copy (ARC) from NetGalley for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I always like reading the newest Jennifer Ryan book. She has a way at tugging on your heart strings with family situations that are fraught with drama and secrets, but at the same time, giving the reader a silver lining with a romance that shows how it's participants have come into a better understanding of themselves, in order to be good partners to each other.

The One You Want is no different. Rose ran from home as soon as she could, in order to protect herself from her dangerous father. But she had to leave behind her younger sister and mother. Now, she's returning home after his death for her best friend, Maggie's wedding. Rose thinks this is the best time to reunite with her friend who has been less available lately, as well as mend fences with her estranged family. But her life gets more complicated when her Maggie introduces her fiancée, Marc, the same man Rose spent one night a year ago. And to complicate matters, Rose is immediately attracted to Marc's cousin Gray. So now Rose has to decide if she should tell everyone about how she knows Marc or keep it to herself. Will she be able to mend all of the fences that are broken without losing somebody important.

There are so many secrets between these friends—and not just the “one”. I thought this was almost a slow burn or romantic suspense. Easy summer beach read for sure!

The One You Want by Jennifer Ryan had a lot of promise. I saw the setting was in Carmel which is my hometown so I wanted to read this. It's a first-time read for the author Jennifer Ryan which I think she writes smartly. A lot is covered in this story in which almost all of it takes place in the place of one week.

The book covers many issues regarding abuse, cheating, and betrayal of a narcissist. It was a bit much and a lot of angst without any humor in the story so a rom-com it isn't more a heavy romance. The two friends Rose and Maggie have been lifelong friends and their friendship feels real. Also the lost interest of Rose a man named Gray is a well-written and developed character. Their romance feels rushed but the writing is good enough to cover the reason for the instant attraction. But often one feels ping-ponged in the story. For me personally too much was going on and a bit long on the angst. The character of Marc is too obviously from the beginning that he's going to be the villain and he is so unlikeable that the love scenes between him and Maggie you want to get sick to your stomach that such a smart woman is being this foolish but hey drama but again just too much of it in this story.

I would like to thank Net Galley and the publisher Harper Collins for the opportunity to read and review The One You Want by Jennifer Ryan.

I'm a big fan of Jennifer Ryan's Rancher novels. The One You Want is a different novel than her rancher books. The mystery and dark pasts with abuse and healing are still present. There is much withholding of information in this book which I'm just not a fan of. The character development in some of the characters was great and in others I wished there was more.

Thank you to #netgalley for the early read. All opinions are my own.

A well written perfectly paced story pulling you in from the start. A touching story about how Rose, Poppy and Nancy struggled and dealt with their life for years. If abuse is a trigger for you be very careful in reading this story. Gray steps in to show Rose a life she can trust when she is with him. This is a good family and friends who are there to help in every way needed.

heart holding and completely captivating. draws you in from the beginning and doesn't let you go through the end. a must summer read.

The One You Want by Jennifer Ryan
Rose and Gray's story - This book has so many - Rose leaving home to get away from her abusive father - Gray meets her when he is standing up for his cousin Marc and her best friend (Maggie) who are getting married. (Marc turns out to be a bad one night stand Rose had a year ago). What is she to do? Does she tell Maggie - and why does Marc tell her to keep quiet. Gray and Rose have an instant connection - she's afraid what will happen when she tells them what happened. There is family drama (hers) and (his), some laughs, some tears, some very mean actions, and plenty of steam to get us to a very HEA.
Reasons I enjoyed this book:
Romantic Steamy Unpredictable Entertaining Wonderful characters Page-turner Tear-jerker Easy-to-read Witty Happily Ever After

The premise of the book had real promise. I mean, reading the blurb made the book sound so interesting, but the follow through just didn't meet my expectations. I'll still keep this author on my TBR, but this one was just okay for me.

The premise of the story starts well. Rose returns home to Carmel for a week to be maid of honor to her best friend Maggie. The surprise comes when she meets the groom Marc. He is the one night stand she had a year ago. Everything was consensual but the next morning she realizes he was cheating on his girlfriend, making her the other woman. She hasn’t dated anyone since. More surprising is her attraction to his cousin and best man Gray. It's an awkward situation but she wants to honest with Maggie and Marc is begging her not to mess up the wedding. The other main storyline is Rose re-connecting with her mother and younger sister. Their home-life was ruled by Rose’s abusive father.

This is correctly promoted as (women’s) fiction as there is a lot of drama with a build to a steamy romance. I was interested in the abusive back story and would have liked to know more how Rose overcame it other than fleeing to college. She spouts advice to her mom and sister but focuses her attention on her friend’s wedding. She hasn’t been home in seven years so I think her family deserves more of her time.

Gray is the perfect guy and I get the attraction. But I don’t get the instant over the top, he is the one, I love you, attraction. They literally know each other six days. That was a little too much too fast for me. Especially when comparing to her best friend who is marrying Marc after knowing him for seven months and yet seems to know very little about him.

I found the book very readable but reflecting after it is a lot of drama and angst for a week of time. There is no question that Marc is a manipulator and sleazy. I was disappointed there wasn’t more consequences for him. Especially for his final acts. The whole agreeing not to press charges against each other made me angry. There are cameras everywhere these days. He should have been called out more for his duplicity. The author ties up lots of loose ends neatly, even why Rose never got an interview when she applied to Gray’s company for programing work. And the epilogue is sweet. But overall it is an average dramatic story that could have been more. Thank you to NetGalley, Avon and Harper Voyager for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book is ✨spicy✨ y'all. If that's not your thing, I'd skip over it. However, if you enjoy it, definitely pick this one up. Especially if you're a fan of insta love (I'm not lol). I felt really awkward during a lot of it. Not because of the spice level (I like it hot) but more because of the weird relationship dynamic!

This is an angsty, steamy, roller coaster ride of s story that will keep you turning the page! A story full of emotion, friendship, forgiveness and second chances. I'll be honest, the cover had me thinking this was a different type of book, and I wasn't disappointed that it wasn't, it was just a bit misleading to me.

TW: domestic violence/emotional abuse of a child

Thank you Avon Books for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review! This book is due for publication 7/5/22.

3.5⭐