I'm A Sweet And Sassy Book Whore: Review and Excerpt Tour! The Only One by Lauren Blakely

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Hi I'm Janna and I am a book whore! I started this blog after being a part of another for years. While being a big blog may be nice I like to stay true to me having a love for books, that's why I blog. I love books and I want to share that love with my readers of this blog. I love to read, books are my escape and a huge part of my life besides my husband and two children. I am honest and sometimes sassy in my reviews but never mean. Some of my favorite authors include Kristen Ashley, Penelope Douglas, T.M. Frazier, M.N. Forgy, Rachel Van Dyken, Meghan March and Vi Keeland to only name a few!

Please note that I am the ONLY reviewer on the blog beyond a few guest reviews. It has been brought to my attention that people not associated with my blog have been requesting ARCs please if you ever question a request please email me at the blog's email.

Wednesday, December 14, 2016

Review and Excerpt Tour! The Only One by Lauren Blakely

From the New York Times bestselling author of THE SEXY ONE comes a romance about fate and second chances.

Let’s say there was this guy. And he gave you the most mind-blowing night of sex in your life. And you never saw him again.

Until ten years later.

Now, it turns out he’s the ONLY ONE in all of Manhattan whose restaurant is available for my charity’s event.
The trouble is, he doesn’t recognize me.

***
This woman I’m working with is so damn alluring. The first time I set eyes on her, I’m captivated and I can’t get her out of my mind. Even if it’s risky to tango with someone I’m working with, she’s a risk I’m willing to take.

The trouble is, she won’t give me the time of day.
But I’m determined to change that.

I lean closer to the table, soften my voice. “Forgive me, but you look so familiar…”

Her eyes widen, and something vulnerable seems to flash in them. She brings a hand to her hair. “I do?”

I nod vigorously. “Yes. So much. It’s eerie.”

She swallows. “We all remind each other of others, don’t we?”

“Perhaps we do,” I say. I’m not sure what to make of her answer so I return to the matter at hand, telling her more of what I would make for her charity fundraiser. My business manager, Eduardo, alerted me to this opportunity the other day when it landed on his desk. With my new restaurant opening a few months ago, I’ve been looking to make a splash in Manhattan. Reviews have been amazing and business has been robust, but I know that fortunes can turn on a dime. Hell, do I ever f*cking know that. “And I would make the most fantastic desserts for you, too,” I say with a wink, because that reminds me of the afternoon I met the girl in Barcelona—we’d both been eating dessert at a street-side café, where we’d started flirting.

“Desserts are my specialty.”

“What would you make?” she asks, then she murmurs oh God when I tell her what I’d create for the sweetest course. The soft sound she makes stirs something in my chest, then sends a rush of heat below the belt. That sense of déjà vu sharpens, and a reel of images snaps before my eyes, like puzzle pieces fighting to connect.

I scrub a hand over my jaw, arching an eyebrow. It’s driving me crazy. “Are you sure we’ve never met?”

Lauren Blakely delivers another deliciously sweet and decadently sexy second-chance romance with The Only One. If you’re a fan of her work, you’ll recognize our main characters from books such as Well Hung and The Sexy One. If this is your first exposure to Lauren Blakely’s writing don’t worry-this is a standalone novella for sure...but I guarantee you’ll want to read more of her work after this.

The Only One is the story of Penny, our confident heroine who runs Little Friends, and Gabriel, a sexy celebrity chef with a new restaurant in NYC. The two had met ten years earlier in Barcelona and had a whirlwind romance, promising to meet again in New York one week after Penny leaves. Through a twist of fate the two aren’t reunited until years later, and while Penny has mentally prepared herself to see Gabriel again, she isn’t prepared for the fact that he does not seem to immediately recognize her.

I fell hard for Gabriel right along with Penny. A man who can cook, has an accent AND is sexy? Sign me up, please! I loved that on some primal level he did recognize Penny-even when she denied knowing him at first. Watching him rediscover her and fall for her all over again was a complete joy. I’d like to say he can take me dancing or cook me paella anytime, anytime at all.

I adore how this author portrays her heroines. I inevitably want to be friends with them, and Penny is no different. I would love to go have a purple snow globe with her (ok, and Gabriel ;) ) or walk through Central Park with her and Shortcake. She’s strong on her own and I just love that.

This novella really hit the spot for me. Full of romance, sweet moments to make me swoon and steamy sections, The Only One left me smiling and sighing, exactly what I look for in a Lauren Blakely book. I highly recommend this novella and can’t wait to see what is in store next from this author!

Dear Lauren Blakely,

Stop it. Seriously, just stop. I can't handle the fact that every single book grabs me from the beginning. I'm exhausted because I devour the book and I can't put it down, I'm tired of reading books that leave tears in my eyes and my heart in my throat as I fall totally in love with yet another one of your heroes.

Ok. Not really complaints and please don't stop.

Gabriel and Penny were phenomenal. They were like the perfect desert... something to be savored slowly and fully enjoyed. The "does he know me" and "is that her" tension was exquisite and so immediately engaging you felt a kinship with each of them... you know how it feels to not know how their story was going to play out.

The moment when he just KNEW...my heart jumped. I won't spoil it for you, but I will admit I read the scene more than once.

This is a novella, but yet again, it feels like a much longer story. You get characters you love and get to know and a story that flows from point to point while building a wonderful tension with the narrative. It's perfect.

So, Ms. Blakely, I guess what I'm saying is don't stop writing books that are this good... because I love knowing that the next one is coming, that I will love it, and that it will be as good as this one.

And, in case you missed it, you really want to read this novella.

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About Lauren Blakely: Since self-publishing her debut romance novel CAUGHT UP IN US over three years ago, Lauren Blakely has sold more than 1.5 million books. She is known for her sexy contemporary romance style that’s full of heat, heart and humor. A devout fan of cake and canines, Lauren has plotted entire novels while walking her four-legged friends. She lives in California with her family. With thirteen New York Times bestsellers, her titles have appeared on the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestseller Lists more than seventy times. Her bestselling series include Sinful Nights, Seductive Nights, No Regrets, Caught Up in Love, and Fighting Fire as well as standalone hit romances like BIG ROCK, MISTER O, WELL HUNG, and THE SEXY ONE which were all instant New York Times Bestsellers. In January she’ll release FULL PACKAGE, a standalone romantic comedy. To receive an email when Lauren releases a new book, sign up for her newsletter! laurenblakely.com/newsletter.

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Praise for Lauren Blakely and THE ONLY ONE:

"An extraordinarily dreamy love story that will melt your heart!"
~Beneath The Covers Book Blog

"This is an epic second chance romance that filled my heart with love, hope and longing."
~5-Stars! Two Book Pushers

"Lauren has knocked this one out of the park and down the street into the kitchen of Rocco DiSpirito. This book is smart, sexy, and full of surprises with characters you can't help but fall in love with. I want to find my very own Gabriel now. A sexy man with an accent who can cook for me. Who could ask for anything more?"
~Smut Book Junkie Book Reviews

"Insanely romantic and so genuinely charming..."
~Fresh Fiction Reviewer