Review: The One and Only by Emily Giffin

The One and Only

by Emily Giffin

Publisher: Ballantine Books

Pages: 432

Format: eARC

Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads:  Thirty-three-year-old Shea Rigsby has spent her entire life in Walker, Texas—a small college town that lives and dies by football, a passion she unabashedly shares. Raised alongside her best friend, Lucy, the daughter of Walker’s legendary head coach, Clive Carr, Shea was too devoted to her hometown team to leave. Instead she stayed in Walker for college, even taking a job in the university athletic department after graduation, where she has remained for more than a decade.

But when an unexpected tragedy strikes the tight-knit Walker community, Shea’s comfortable world is upended, and she begins to wonder if the life she’s chosen is really enough for her. As she finally gives up her safety net to set out on an unexpected path, Shea discovers unsettling truths about the people and things she has always trusted most—and is forced to confront her deepest desires, fears, and secrets.

Kritters Thoughts:  A young woman is a major fan of football and because of this may have forgone romantic pursuits to instead pursue her career and passion.  I loved how setting it in Texas, and not ever having been there Giffin sets a great stage for a small town where football is the core of the town.  There was no doubt that Walker, Texas cared more about football than most anything else.

The arc of this character was fantastic and may have been predictable at times, the sweetness of the story won out.  I wanted her to find happiness on the job, life and love - I love it when I am rooting for the character, makes the book so much better.  The secondary characters were just as great as the main, I wouldn't mind a follow up book that took the story further in one of their view points.  

I am a fan of Emily Giffin and this book kept her still on my favorite list!  I am going to be headed to her signing for this book and my one question will be the title - let me know if you have read this one and have thoughts on the title!  

Rating: absolutely loved it and want a sequel

Ebook 2014 Challenge: 32 out 100

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from Booksparks PR.  I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for receipt of the book; rather, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.