The One That I Want by Janenifer Echols
Publisher: Simon Pulse (December 6th, 2011)
Reading Level: Young Adult
Paperback: 288 pages
Source: Author (Thank You!)
Rating: 4 of 5 stars
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?
Review:
Jennifer Echols really has a knack for writing adorable contemporary titles. In The One That I Want, she introduces us to Gemma, a girl dealing with some friend, relationship, and body drama all at once. Gemma has had to deal with body issues (as many do in school) but I loved her drive and determination to be healthy and achieve things no one thought possible.
That driving spirit puts her at odds with her best"friend" Addison. Addison was one of those girls who seems to only rely on friends when it benefits them, or uses friends as a way to make herself feel better while putting them down. She was not a good person, at all. She was constantly short-changing Gemma and trying to get under her skin. I loved that Gemma was able to keep control of herself and not let Addison rule her self-esteem.
Once Gemma and Addison run into some football players from another school, Addison immediately sets her sights on the one Gemma likes, Max. This puts Gemma in a difficult situation because she is paired with Max's best friend, who she obviously doesn't have anything in common with. But as Gemma and Max interact more, their feelings for each other really start to show.
Gemma and Max were really able to connect on a deep level. They understood each other and gave each other that much needed friendship. Max was a wonderful character. He was a guy with a lot of insecurities and worries of his own. I enjoyed seeing him open up to Gemma and, in turn, show her that she could be liked for who she is and not who she could be.
The One That I Want was a lovely, sweet romance with a great underlying message. I do wish Gemma would have punched Addison a few times (ha!) but this book may help people realize what friendships are unhealthy and what romances are worth fighting for.
Recommended: People who love Janenifer Echols (ME!) and people who enjoy a romantic contemporary with a focus on friendship.
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