My usual bread and butter reads are crime fiction, the grittier the better but every so often I crave a lighter read and this is my go to genre for this, what I call, my palate cleanser. That said, I do like my "lighter" reads to have a bit of substance about them rather than just being all light and fluffy. This book ticked that box for me nicely and, although a quick and easy read, left me with the satisfied feeling that I need from a good read.
Rob and Ben have been friends since they were babies, Maddy completes the trio, or tripod as they call themselves, when she joins them at junior school. Thick as thieves, playing together every day as they grow up. Everything changes on an art trip to Paris, city of love. One of the boys is about to admit to harbouring long term love for Maddy, but will he be able to finally admit these feelings before fate and circumstance draws the other boy into Maddy's arms. We already know from the start of the book that Maddy is about to marry Rob but how exactly did they both get to the altar, and what happened to Ben along the way? Dipping in to the trio's lives at certain significant times, we follow them throughout school, uni and beyond as they all try to make sense of the feelings they have for each other. Maddy has a choice to make, who will it be?
As already mentioned, this was a quick and easy read for me, just an afternoon in fact, the words simply flew off the page/ There was no superfluous padding or unnecessary description, just a good story played out by good, credible characters which kept my attention and interest throughout. The point at which the trio became a triangle (of the love variety) was well handled although, at times a little bit painful to read. Unrequited love can do that, sigh. The next turning point was at uni, I'm not going to mention what happened here, too spoilery, but again, the incident and fall-out was realistic and well executed. The rest of the story, right up until and indeed including the epilogue ticks along nicely, with the obligatory highs and lows, will they won't they, that this genre usually includes. A wee bit on the formulaic side on occasion, but exactly what I would expect and indeed require from this type of book.
The characters definitely got an emotional response out of me. Mostly anger and annoyance over their respective behaviours. They were all equally likeable and unlikable both at the same time (yes that makes sense, to me anyway) I think my favourite character has to be Pearl, the voice of reason, delivered in a very wise and warts 'n all manner. I'd love someone like her in my life. In fact, her rational words to Maddy helped me understand and indeed forgive some of the characters' actions throughout the book. As far as choosing between Rob and Ben, um, I'd take neither thank you very much. To be honest, between the two of them, I didn't really care who Maddy picked in the end. Actually, secretly, I was hoping that Maddy would just tell them both to do one and go off with someone completely different! But that's just me, I do love a good twist! Anyway, who's to say she didn't! Epilogues can be very revealing.
All in all, a good solid read that ticked most of my boxes and left me satisfied. I wouldn't be opposed to reading another book by this author,.

My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

Favorite Quotes:

If only falling out of love was as easy as falling in it. If only being with the girl I loved was as easy as all the songs on the radio insisted.

I know some people don’t believe that you can love two people at the same time… You can and it’s an awful feeling, because no matter what you decide to do about it you’re always going to hurt someone.

Well, when I was six we were asked to draw a picture of what we thought the millennium would look like – I drew some elaborate flying car and a robotic dog. My teacher said I was unrealistic but imaginative… I guess I’m still waiting for my flying car to be invented.

My Review:

This story squeezed my heart and turned me inside out - I have never felt so indecisive and unsettled. Throughout the entire book, I could not decide what or who would be the best or most desirable outcome for the three characters, while there wasn’t a bad choice to be had either way. Being best friends and loving two men since they were boys made either selection bittersweet. However, my heart hurt for sweet, thoughtful, and insecure Ben. I adored him, but his timing and communication skills were the worst. Giovanna Fletcher’s writing was insightful, amusing, emotive, and highly observant, while the storyline was unique, relevant, engaging, and achingly well-crafted. I am in awe.

Heartbreaking, bittersweet and emotionally resonant!

This is an engrossing love triangle that takes you on a rollercoaster ride of young love, tension, heartache, happiness, guilt, regret, romance and enduring friendship.

The writing is eloquent. The characters are loyal, dependable, generous and sympathetic. And the story is narrated from two different perspectives and uses a past/present style to give both depth and understanding to all the relationships, personalities and underlying motivations between the characters.

This is ultimately a compelling, moving story full of drama, chemistry, unexpected twists, passion and unrequited love. I really enjoyed it and although I never like to give too much away I will say I was kind of rooting for the other guy!

Thank you to NetGalley, especially St. Martin's Press, for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.

The tripod friendship between Maddy, Robert & Ben keeps you hooked in from the first page until the epilogue! I could not put this book down needing to know who Maddy was going to choose. The alternating points of views along with navigating through their childhood to adulthood left me reeling for each part of the tripod hoping that they find their happily ever afters!

The heart wants what it wants and what happens when it wants both of the leading men in your life? How do you make it stop? This is such a great read!!!

I've always been a fan of Giovanna Fletcher's books and this one is no exception. You are drawn into the book the first page and are pulled into the characters lives. A lovely little read.

This is an emotional book, you will be amazed and emotional through out the story. This book has exceptional characters, you will fall in love with them as you read. I was hooked from the first page, I just couldn't put it down till I'd finished it. This is a sad and happy story that will keep you reading long into the night. I can't wait to read more from this author in the future.
Highly recommended
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.

I got into this book very easily. I could easily relate to the story from when I was in my teens. Hence I think my 16 year old would enjoy this too.
The ending was how it was supposed to be but not how I wanted it. None the less it was a lovely story about old loves, new loves and sometimes doing what's best. A great read for a lazy weekend or a poolside book.

Adult, Books, Fiction, New Adult, Womens (ChickLit)You’re The One That I Want by Giovanna Fletcher Kristin 1 Month Ago No Comments
FACEBOOK PREV ARTICLE NEXT ARTICLE
4
Title: You're the One That I Want
Author: Giovanna Fletcher
Genre: Fiction
Publisher: Michael Joseph
Pages: 320

Maddy, dressed in white, stands at the back of the church. At the end of the aisle is Rob - the man she's about to marry. Next to Rob is Ben - best man and the best friend any two people ever had. And that's the problem. Because if it wasn't Rob waiting for her at the altar, there's a strong chance it would be Ben. Loyal and sensitive Ben has always kept his feelings to himself, but if he turned round and told Maddy she was making a mistake, would she listen? And would he be right? Best friends since childhood, Maddy, Ben and Rob thought their bond was unbreakable. But love changes everything. Maddy has a choice to make but will she choose wisely? Her heart, and the hearts of the two best men she knows, depend on it...

free copy

I am very excited to write this book review because I’m surprised by how much I truly enjoyed the story. It is from the “Chick-Lit” genre which I’ve always avoided. This is officially the first one that I’ve read and I’m pleased to announce that “The One That I Want” hooked me quickly and kept me guessing. Throughout the story I kept alternating ideas about how this book could possibly have a happy ending for all three of the main characters.

The story is told from the perspective of Maddy and Ben, two of three childhood best friends. We begin at the wedding of Maddy and Rob, and internally Maddy is wondering if Ben is going to object or if he’s going to let her go. It seems as if she wishes he would stop her wedding. Then we jump back into their childhood and travel onto adulthood with Maddy and Ben. We follow along as Maddy and Robert fall in love and watch Ben secretly love Maddy as well. Almost instantly you’ll choose who you want Maddy to choose. For me, it was Ben. Then suddenly Robert would so something wonderful for Maddy and also wonderful things for Ben and I’d be so torn. Robert is a good guy too! So then who’s team am I on? Do I want the wedding to go along or do I want Ben to stop them on their big day?
What kept me hooked on this book was all of the misunderstandings and missed opportunities. So many times they simply misunderstood each other, or should have just spoken up in the moment. Then the moment passes and it’s too late. It is frustrating to “know better” as a reader and yet it’s amusing when related to real life. How many missed opportunities do we have because we simply misread someone’s intentions? I couldn’t wait to reach their adulthood and find out who would end up with Maddy and have their happy ending. If it was Ben and Maddy, could they keep their best friend Robert somehow? If Maddy proceeds to marry Robert, can Ben manage to remain their mutual best friend?

This was a sweet story of love and friendship. I would have appreciated a little bit of humor, but I’m not the writer and I’m not even sure that would have worked. I’ll just mind my business and find the next book to read. :)

What a fun read! Giovanna Fletcher does it again. This time she introduces us to 3 best friends, Ben, Maddy and Robert. From the day they all met at age 9, the trio (or Tripod as they nicknamed themselves) are inseparable. The book takes you through their lives through to their 20s and 30s. The story starts unconventionally, near the end. It's Maddy's wedding day and she's walking to the altar, ready to marry Robert, but thoughts of her other best friend Ben creep into her mind. Is he really giving up and not fighting for her? Is she making a mistake by marrying Robert?
From there, the story goes back to beginnings of their friendship. Each chapter is written in either the voice of Maddy or Ben. Up until the end, you aren't quite sure what will happen. You pull for Ben, who has loved Maddy ever since he laid eyes on her the first day of school. It's a sweet book and you find yourself emotionally invested in the characters.

What do you do when your in love with two different people and both are your best friends. That is what happened in this book. At the age of 17 she was so happy to finally be kissed by her best friend and things was going picture right till it wasn't. On a drunken night her other best friend let loose his feelings so it took going from anger to wanting on of the guys to declare her love but it would also hurt the other end the end someone gave her advise and with that few words she went for it hoping it was the best decision.

This was my first novel that I've read by Giovanna Fletcher. This novel sucked me in right away. This novel focuses on Maddy, her fiancé, Rob and their best friend, Ben. The novel alternates between Maddy and Ben from childhood to adulthood. Even though Maddy is marrying Rob, she is also in love with Ben and Ben is in love with his best friend's girl. This is a beautiful story of about friendship and love. Even though I found some parts predictable, the journey there was so enjoyable.
I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I did not finish this book as I did not engage with the story or the characters.

You're the One That I Want is the first book by Giovanna Fletcher that I have read. And what a joy it was to read. Maddy, is almost torn in deciding which of her best friends - Rob or Ben - is the one she should end up with. And while this may seem like an awkward love triangle situation, it is anything but.

Maddy's indecisiveness does bother me. I can understand her being torn and and not wanting to ruin a friendship group. But come on! A decision has to be made. And by not being clear about who she wants. I feel that Maddy let Ben down so badly through out his life because he always had some hope.

I love how all three points of views are are written. Robert's point of view is from his wedding speech. But the story is mainly told from Ben and Maddy's point of view. From when they were small nine year olds, right up to the present. Each person has a distinct understanding and lets use see both sides to the story. I did want Rob's point of view a bit more. I was left wondering if he ever had an inking about certain events and what his thoughts where. It would be interesting to know.

I was emotionally invested from start to finish. I was rooting for Ben. For Maddy. And for Robert. I wanted each to have true happiness and get their hearts desire. All three were normal human beings. Each with their own flaws, but each one so protected and loved in their friendship group. Each one touched my heart and I felt a connection with each of them. Especially Ben.

This is a beautiful, heart-wrenching and moving book. Filled with romance and little moments that are hard to forget. This is a brilliant story about love, friendship and growing up that is perfect to read as summer approaches.

This book I could not finish reading. I got through about a third of the book and couldn't read any longer. The storyline, in my opinion was a bit choppy as was the story telling. The teens represented in this book were unrealistic. I especially didn't like the way Robert and Maddie hit it off in Paris while Ben just stood on the sidelines looking like a complete idiot or the way things got in the movie theater portion of the book.

One star!

I received an ARC of this novel from Netgalley in exchange for my review. Maddy, Rob and Ben have been best friend and a "tripod" since they were in elementary school. Both Ben and Rob love Maddy deeply and Maddy must choose between them. I found myself cheering for both Rob and Ben and feeling for Maddy having to choose. It was a very sweet story and I flew through it!

It was a great read looking for more from this author

Superior Chick Lit but not as good as Billy and me

I received this e-book from St. Martin's Press to read and review. I have never heard of author Giovanna Fletcher and this is the first book I have read by this author. I liked this story I find it very realistic and has the human components that we can relate to. I feel like this book could almost be a true story even though its not. I think as readers we are always looking that fairy tale ending when in fact in real life it rarely happens that way. I think this book gives you a great realistic love story. I appreciate that the author took you to present day to start the book and then switch to how it all began. It left me wanting to sit down and not get up again until the end. I did finish the book in 24 hours and loved the ending not how I thought it might end, but in reality how it needed to end, I think that the reader can relate to Maddy, Robert and Ben how its hard to be friends with boys or girls and how friendship can either evolve over time and take different directions or sometimes can take a new path. And how true friendship can last no matter the trials and time and life changes. If you are wanting to read a book about true friendship and love this is the book for you. Read this book and give it a chance you wont be disappointed,

Ever pick up a book just because you like the cover? Or the title? That’s what I did with this book. While perusing Netgalley I came across this book and thought the cover was so pretty with the blues and the pink. The title caught my eye too and made me start singing the song. You know, the one from the movie, Grease? I didn’t even read the description before I started reading the book. I was immediately engrossed in this story, though.

The book starts out with Maddy getting married. As she walks to the altar the reader knows that she is hesitant about getting married to Robert and wondering if she has chosen the wrong person to be her groom. As she approaches the altar the reader finds out that the one who may be the right one is none other than the best man and their friend, Ben. The story then goes back to the day the three met and takes us on their journey from that day to the wedding.

I really liked the story and the way it was told. The author tells the story alternately from Maddy’s and Ben’s points of view. Sometimes stories can seem boring and redundant when told this way but the author did a great job of keeping the story fresh. It was interesting to read what each of the characters thought about the events and happenings that got them from childhood to adulthood and marriage.

I have to admit though that I was a bit disappointed in the ending. The story is good and there are a lot of ups and downs in the relationship these three had and then suddenly in a very anti-climatic way the story was over. I guess I just wanted a bit more conflict at the end before the story ended. In no way though did the ending spoil the book for me it just wasn’t what I was expecting and I felt a bit let down.

This is a good chic-lit kind of read and I’m glad I took the time to read the book. I liked the author’s writing style and will look for more of her work. If you like chic-lit with a bit more meaning to it then this book will appeal to you.