ARC Review: One by Jewel E. Ann

28 Jul 2016

Book Title: One
Author: Jewel E. Ann
Series: Standalone
Release Date: July 28th, 2016
Genres: Contemporary Romance, Romantic Comedy
Lake Jones is a cover girl for cutting-edge prosthetic legs, a binge-watcher of Netflix, known to spy on her neighbor through her door’s peephole, and fond of laser games with her hairless cat. She’s also a bit sexually-frustrated.

Until …

God bestows a breath of mercy upon her in the form of Minnesota’s NFL starting quarterback. But this gift is no stranger. Lake met Cage Monaghan three years earlier.

It was one day.
One moment.
One kiss that resurrected her dreams of finding love.

His dimpled smile distracts from his imperfections, which include: a love for country music, fishing, and a feline-hating girlfriend.

When life finally gives them their chance, it’s a humorous and heart-wrenching journey to find their place in the world.

"We would be Cage and Lake. We would be unpredictable. We would be reckless. We would give normality the middle finger.”

***This book is a standalone. However, it is HIGHLY recommended that any readers who have not, but may consider, reading the Jack & Jill Series, do so before reading this book. It contains spoilers to Jack & Jill.






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One is an endearingly funny spin-off story from the Jack and Jill series. We met Lake and Cage in Jack and Jill and that series provides a nice backstory for both of them. Though this book can be read as a standalone, if there's a chance at all you plan to read Jack and Jill (which I highly recommend because it's that awesome), I'd read that trilogy first as this book contains huge spoilers for that series. That being said...

Lake Jones is a feisty little thing with a below-the-knee amputation. She's living on her own in Minnesota and her highlight in life is watching her hot, Hulkish neighbor across the hall through her little peephole. So yah, she's a peepholing-Tom with an insane addiction to Netflix! After a serious auto accident caused the loss of her lower limb, she finds herself a cover model and test subject for new high-tech prosthetics for all walks of life- pretty sexy leg, swimmers, hikers... there's a prosthesis for it.

Cage Monaghan is a famous rookie NFL quarterback when he sets eyes on Lake at his teammate's party. They have history of one hot kiss and a life-changing connection dating back to a very tough time in his life. He's got his second chance and he's going to take it before she disappears again...




One, when compared to the other books I've read by Jewel E. Ann, is fairly light on angst or suspense. Jack and Jill series is more of a romantic suspense where this story is lighter-hearted and more romantic comedy. Jewel E. Ann never fails to instill her dry humor and witty dialogue into every book she writes. Usually it's to lighten a heavier, more emotional plot where this book, it just flows through effortlessly. I have to admit, I was waiting and waiting for the shoe to drop, for my heart to get ripped out because I knew Jewel E. Ann has that capability but this story never did that. 

Was my inner masochist disappointed? Maybe a tad. I do love that gradual build-up, climax, rip my heart out and mend it back together plot. We do get a bit of conflict here but very little compared to other books she's written. One is more of the day to day build-up of the love story between Cage and Lake. Fans looking for a lighter read in between something dark or emotional would enjoy this bit of a reprieve.

Jewel E. Ann did a great job with the amputee aspect of this story. It's different, refreshing, and I loved how she made sure Lake didn't let her disability define her. Positive self image, athletic, strong-willed, and a guy that falls to his knees in her presence. His eyes never looked the other way when this girl with a flawed verbal-filter entered during one of the saddest points in his life three years ago. He was a goner then and here's his second chance now!

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Another successful story by the lovely Jewel E. Ann. And I must put in an order for a book about a certain sports agent named Flint whose backstory promises me the emotional sucker punch my inner angst-whore craves. Hint hint.


"I love our story. I love it so much because in every chapter you make me fall in love with you all over again. Let's never 'be' in love. Let's 'fall' every day without ever touching the ground." 


"Fuck gravity." 

"Exactly, fuck gravity."



Advanced copy received by author in exchange for my honest review.




Jewel is a free-spirited romance junkie with a quirky sense of humor.
With 10 years of flossing lectures under her belt, she took early retirement from her dental hygiene career to stay home with her three awesome boys and manage the family business.

After her best friend of nearly 30 years suggested a few books from the Contemporary Romance genre, Jewel was hooked. Devouring two and three books a week but still craving more, she decided to practice sustainable reading, AKA writing.

When she’s not donning her cape and saving the planet one tree at a time, she enjoys yoga with friends, good food with family, rock climbing with her kids, watching How I Met Your Mother reruns, and of course…heart-wrenching, tear-jerking, panty-scorching novels.

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