(Actual: 4.5⭐, rounded up) Thank you NG and Dutton for both this eARC *and* my finished paperback copy! This book was such a TREAT! To be honest, I went into reading this book a bit hesitant, unsure if I'd really be able to immerse/enjoy myself in it considering I don't follow a lot of sports (least of all basketball). That said— did they *truly* even really play much b-ball? LOL jk. Regardless, I had such a great time reading this novel and found it to be very engaging right from the start! I love Second Chance Romances ("SCR[s]") AND the Rivals-to-Lovers tropes and so, while there was some miscommunication thrown in (aka: one of my *least* favorite tropes), I didn't mind it all too much because it still made sense within the context of the story. I found both Ben and Annie to be endearing once they really started to get out of their own way/shells, particularly the latter's sense of humor and use of it as a means of deflection (i.e., yes, a part of me did feel very ~seen~ lol). Lastly, while I am *always* a fan of duel POVs in my reads, I thought the 3rd-person POV fit better and was executed well by the author to fully convey the scope of both MCs emotions, ideals, and struggles. Overall, a strong debut and I look forward to Harrow's work in the future!

Jamie Harrow is one to watch. Her debut is atmospheric, fast-paced, and full of banter as snappy as a Final Four game. Really, really loved this one.

This was a sweet debut novel with lots of potential! I liked the overall premise, well developed side characters and how it balanced a heavy subplot regarding sexual harassment. I don’t see a lot of basketball romances and thought it was unique that neither of the MCs were athletes but instead the support staff. I wished I had felt more chemistry between the MCs and there was an epilogue due to more abrupt ending.

I don’t think I’ve ever read a book quite like this. When you keep trying to think of what to say, but really just want to tell everyone to go read it already? It’s funny, and sexy, and definitely feminist, and pumped me up the way the movie Hoosiers does just rooting for Annie and Ben. And frankly, it just left me with a big happy heart full of all the feelings.

One on One is a sports romance, but not of ball players specifically. It’s between two people who just really love the game of basketball. Ben has worked in analytics for Ardwyn University’s basketball team much longer than he ever considered (since college) and Annie finds herself also working for her alma mater making hype videos when no other prospects pan out. This is a case of coeds thinking they knew the other person when, and then discovering their assumptions have lead them to not really knowing one another at all. As with any heated misgivings, the banter is brilliant and the slowburn sizzles with anticipation. I was really glad this was single point of view because the reader gets to feel everything from Annie’s expectations. This just amps up the mystery, the curiosity, and the tension of not knowing what Ben’s thinking and also of him not being aware of why Annie left basketball to begin with. Ben’s motives are only interpreted through his actions and the way he interacts with Annie runs from antagonistic, to playful, to tender, to heated. And this is exactly what I’m looking for in a romance—multidimensional characters that are unexpectedly delightful.

I highlighted so many sections of this book. I think it’s because I wanted to remember the feeling. The dialogue is so so good but the internal thoughts, the looks, the excitement and mood are what made this book a standout. I also really liked that this wasn’t a typical young, dumb, and horny sports romance with coeds, and the older me appreciated the depth that Harrow gave Ben and Annie who have bigger issues at hand than how to pass college algebra. It’s also clear that Harrow has first-hand knowledge of the game through the team camaraderie, love for college basketball, and general enthusiasm that sports can bring to a campus. I still am amazed that this is a debut and will proudly fly my Ardwyn blue in support of this winner of a story. I can’t wait to see what else Harrow has in store for romance readers. I received an early copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Steam: 🪭🪭.5
Favorite quote: “Numbers aren’t real, Radford.”
Feelings: 🏀🏀🏀

4⭐️ This book grew on me as it went along. I’m not a big fan of the miscommunication trope, so the beginning was a bit rough for me, but it got so much better as it went on. I enjoyed the rivals-to-lovers journey and seeing them slowly open up to one another. Once Ben warmed up to Annie, he was the sweetest!

I loved this book! Jamie is a talented writer and it's clear she understands and knows the world of basketball. I absolutely adored Annie. I can't wait to read more from this author!

Ugh I love cute sport romances especially that of basketball; but this one was not for me.

Eight years after graduation, Annie Radford is not happy to be back at her alma mater in her old job with the Ardwyn Tigers’ basketball team. Worse, her coworker from back in college, Ben Callahan, is still on the Tigers staff, and he’s annoyingly wholesome, hot, and clinging to a grudge against Annie for abandoning him and the team their senior year.
But as Ardwyn becomes the season’s Cinderella Story, things start heating up between Annie and Ben, too. And while neither of them can deny this could be something special, Annie’s afraid to tell Ben the truth about why she left basketball—the thing she loves most—in the first place. She’ll have to learn to trust him if they have a shot at being together.

I really thought I’d love this and could relate to Annie’s character a lot as someone who interned for a university basketball team. But this one was wayyyy too slow and I felt like the characters were a little too immature. I loved the pranks, banter and one liner but it could have been way shorter if they just told each other how they felt about the main issue at hand. And i understand why the author did it the way they did but unfortunately it just ruined the whole book for me.
Glad I read it but I won’t remember it for long

This has been one of my favorite reads this year!! This is so impressive for being a debut novel. It had me laughing, smiling, and swooning.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dutton for the ARC of One on One by Jamie Harrow! This is one of my favorite books I've read this year. It is so fun; I loved the characters, character development, and rivals-to-lovers romance. Annie and Ben are the absolute best, and OMG, Ben Callahan - SO HOT. The college basketball plotline was so well done and exciting, too -- this book is the perfect balance of wit, romance, and intelligence. I will definitely be reading more of what Jamie Harrow writes! I pre-ordered this one and can't wait to reread it!

A cute debut with alot of potential! I adored Ben and Annie in this, but just wanted more from the main plot. There were a few moments where I didn’t feel as invested in the characters, and I saw the “almost” third-act conflict coming. But I’m happy that it didn’t follow through because I liked how they still ended up back to each other. This book also goes into the unfairness and harmful hierarchies behind college sports teams which I really appreciated. This was a very entertaining debut romance and I can’t wait to delve into this author’s future works! The characters were overall very realistic and I really enjoyed seeing their development throughout. Ben was such a sweetheart and even though he was a bit frustrating at times, he came around by the end. Annie is so strong and I have so much respect for her! We see both developments in their character and the romance itself, which had a nice balance. The writing style was also pleasantly smooth to follow as it tackled serious themes and shed light on it.

Thank you to the publishers and Netgalley for the chance to read this ARC for my honest review.

This book is good. Not only is this a good debut novel, it is honestly good overall. I love the writing style, I love the relationship development, and I LOVE the MMC.

I was nervous yall, there is a pretty big thing that happens in this book near the end and I was nervous about how the MMC was going to handle it....but he handled it just beautifully.

Do I wish we had the MMC POV? Yes, but I always want this.

I will be pre-ordering this and you all should too!

I just adored this book with my whole heart. I don't know how many people out there love college basketball AND romance books, but if like me you do YOU HAVE TO pick this one up. It was so fun to follow along with the whole of college basketball season, very special to me as a fan. If you don't love basketball like I do I still think there is something here for you. Just a trigger warning for sexual harassment in the workplace is important to know.

What a delight! I absolutely loved this debut and the characters at its center. It feels hard these days to find romance that feels fresh and original but this one delivers.

This book took me of a really bad book slump. The synopsis is something that catch my attention for the first moment. A woman returning to her old job with a boy that she really doesn't like. And for more, she is a woman in the. sports world.
This book has everything.Funny moments, I laugh a lot. Romantic and sexy moments, this couple is fire. And for the last, bur for me the more important the pressure of the athletes and the discrimination the woman hold in the mens sport.
I can't wait to talk about this book with my customers, and full annotate my fiscal copy. Really recommend.

One on One was a promising debut! I really enjoyed Harrow's writing voice. Some of the one-liners had me laughing out loud. My favorite part of this story was the relationship between Ben and Annie. I liked their banter and gradual relationship progression. Ben was a sweet book boyfriend. I liked his humor and kindness. Annie was hilarious and fun to root for. As for the side characters, they were fine. I was a little overwhelmed at the beginning when everyone was introduced. The Beach House storyline was amusing and creative. I did struggle with some of the paragraph transitioning. There were some points where the writing felt a little choppy between scenes. I also wish the Maynard storyline was explained upfront instead of being teased throughout the whole story. As a basketball novice, I was happy with how Harrow described the basketball setting. Overall, this was a cute and easy read. Thank you to NetGalley and Dutton for the ARC.

📣 ONE OF MY FAVORITE BOOKS THIS YEAR AND EVER!

One on One had me totally hooked from page one, when main character, Annie, returns to her alma mater for a job making hype videos for the school’s basketball team as they make a run at an unlikely but not impossible national championship. As a student, she worked for the team alongside Ben, who is now the stats guy and who, despite being friendly with literally everyone else, seems to now have it out for Annie.

There’s some hefty baggage here, not only between Annie and Ben, who used to be friendly sort of rivals but now find themselves competing to keep their jobs, but also between Annie and this school/basketball program — all of which Jamie Harrow divulges with perfect pacing. She delicately and unflinchingly shines a light on real issues in the world of college sports — without sacrificing the book’s incredibly swoony romance, laugh-out-loud humor, and dazzling charm. There is WORK done in these pages, but they are overwhelmingly a joy to read.

Speaking of joy, my emotions were ALL OVER THE PLACE in the absolute best way. I laughed. I cried. I felt breathless. I had all the warm fuzzies. There is real emotional catharsis here! Frankly, I was delighted through this entire book, even when I was crying! The BANTER and sexual tension are top notch. The glimpse into a niche world to me feels authentic and nuanced. And the themes here are important and timely but always explored through character.

If you love fictional men written by Emily Henry, you’re going to fall hard for Ben. But please know that I already have dibs!

Just a stellar debut and an exciting new voice in romance, and I’m on board for EVERYTHING Jamie writes next!

One on One by Jamie Harrow is a captivating and heartfelt romance novel that kept me eagerly turning the pages. The story follows Annie Radford, who finds herself back at her alma mater working with the Ardwyn Tigers' basketball team, where she reunites with her former college colleague, Ben Callahan. The tension between them is palpable as they navigate their complicated history and the burgeoning success of the team.

Harrow's writing is both humorous and romantic, drawing readers into the blossoming relationship between Annie and Ben. The exploration of the pressures faced by college athletes and the sexism prevalent in the world of sports adds depth to the narrative, shedding light on important social issues. The novel also delves into the consequences of idolizing sports figures and the impact it can have on communities.

Overall, One on One is a delightful and thought-provoking read that skillfully combines romance with social commentary, making it a must-read for fans of the genre.

This book hooked me in from the first chapter. I loved the character development and how the story progressed.

Loved this sports romance with real life issues and the take it did on it. Very respectfully done and I felt like it added something special about these- I love that this wasn’t all sunshine and roses.

*Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.*

An incredibly solid debut from Harrow! This book does exactly what it sets out to do, which is take a look at college sports from a realistic viewpoint, at workplace harassment, and how men in positions of authority use and abuse that power. It's a book about college basketball in America (not something I know much about).
Don't get me wrong, it is a romance. But the romance develops naturally as two people reconnect after nearly a decade, in an environment where there are lots of other things going on. It's messy, it's difficult, and there are many valid reasons why things might not work out.
Annie is a complex character, struggling professionally, and personally after the unexpected passing of her father two years previous. Her mum and sister, as well as her two best friends, play big parts in her journey, which I loved. They each have their moment to shine, and just feel like real people who have their own lives that continue when they're not in the story.
Ben also has a lot of depth of character and felt like someone I could easily meet in life. I liked how he and Annie interacted throughout the story, and how that developed and changed as they got to know each other again. Their banter was great!
I think the only reason it's not getting a full 5 stars from me, is that this isn't the sort of sports romance I enjoy reading (too realistic maybe?). A 5 star to me is something I loved all the way through and can see myself revisiting. I'm not sure this is one I would want to re-read.
I will definitely be trying out anything else Harrow ends up writing.