What do you think?
Rate this book
Wilder Family #1
One and Only
You are cordially invited to my fake wedding.
Marrying Beckett Coleman is the best idea I've had in years. I can grant my sick dad’s wish to walk one of his daughters down the aisle, and Beckett has my help solving a custody situation with his daughter. Our plan is to spend a year together, then part ways. Easy, especially since I'm not his type, and he's not mine either.
He’s too quiet and too serious. And while he’s distractingly gorgeous, he’s also my brother’s teammate. Beckett is fake husband material, not the real deal. I just have to remember that.
Until I move in with him. Get to know him. Share a bed with him. Turns out, the line between fake and real isn't just blurry, it's almost impossible to uphold when he looks at me the way he does.
This marriage is a whole lot more complicated than we bargained for. We’re threatening to destroy everything we’ve built, something neither of us can risk.
Marrying Beckett might’ve been the best idea in years. But falling in love with him would be the worst.
Marrying Beckett Coleman is the best idea I've had in years. I can grant my sick dad’s wish to walk one of his daughters down the aisle, and Beckett has my help solving a custody situation with his daughter. Our plan is to spend a year together, then part ways. Easy, especially since I'm not his type, and he's not mine either.
He’s too quiet and too serious. And while he’s distractingly gorgeous, he’s also my brother’s teammate. Beckett is fake husband material, not the real deal. I just have to remember that.
Until I move in with him. Get to know him. Share a bed with him. Turns out, the line between fake and real isn't just blurry, it's almost impossible to uphold when he looks at me the way he does.
This marriage is a whole lot more complicated than we bargained for. We’re threatening to destroy everything we’ve built, something neither of us can risk.
Marrying Beckett might’ve been the best idea in years. But falling in love with him would be the worst.
341 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 16, 2023
3916 people are currently reading
15345 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,641 reviews
May 29, 2023
This story had so many tropes I love and was rife with potential; however, it just fell flat. There was zero sexual tension when there should have been tons of it and Greer/Beckett had almost zero chemistry. The story was also super slow with almost nothing really happening.
May 14, 2024
The tropes were not troping for me in this one.
2.5 stars because I liked the writing, I liked the emotion and I liked the Wilder family dynamics in this book but the entire premise sucked balls, here’s why:
1. He lies to the mother of his child and co-parent (who he apparently respects and has a good relationship with) so she will follow through and leave the country for a year leaving his daughter with him. This is a shitty way to co-parent. How about just having a deep conversation to address her fears and anxieties about leaving you with a daughter you haven’t been a full time parent to, like, ever.
2. The idea that he CAN’T be a good full time parent as a man and NEEDS to have a fake wife situation for his ex to be comfortable leaving him with his daughter speaks volumes on two things:
a. that men can’t parent kids effectively without women. Bullshit. Men are fully capable of being effective and nurturing single dads.
b. He has had six years to prove to his ex that he’s a good dad and trust worthy, the fact that he hasn’t and she’s so ok with leaving her kid only AFTER she finds out he’s getting married (to a stranger she does not know) is so fucking shitty I can’t even begin to tell you how infuriated I was by it. But since he actually is lying to her I wouldn’t trust him for two seconds either.
3. He thinks bringing a stranger into his life and his home will be a good idea for his daughter who is EXTREMELY sensitive, in therapy and has trouble dealing with change. So marry a stranger who was good with her for half an hour ONE TIME and then *checks notes* live with her in a fake marriage for a year before divorcing and ripping apart the new family the child has become accustomed to. Wow, give this guy a trophy for worst parenting decision ever 🏆 . Speaking as the mother of a sensitive, anxious child on the adhd spectrum, I object to all of this.
4. Her reason for getting fake married is because she overheard her dying father say he will miss not walking one of his daughters down the aisle is weak and terrible. First she’s tricking a dying man and her entire family to create a photo op essentially. Second, the entire idea of a dad walking a woman down the aisle is rooted deeply in terrible patriarchal ideas of women as property so it’s fucked up in so many ways. This isn’t a good moment for anyone.
5. They plan on never filing the license with the state and breaking up a year later, explaining it to everyone as ‘not working out’ so the plan was to lie to everyone for the rest of their lives? Sew gerrreeeaat.
6. He resists being with her in a real way for 90% of the book because it would complicate things FOR HIM. He says if he gets involved with her and passes that line she will destroy him… but it’s ok for her to get close to his daughter, and her family to get close to his daughter etc etc etc but HE MUST RESIST SEX! Are we supposed to admire him for this? It honestly made no sense why he pushed her away for so long but never had any boundaries with her and his extremely sensitive (probably on the spectrum) daughter. Again, here’s another trophy for amazing parenting 🏆.
I like this author quite a bit and she tried very hard to explain away all the stupid things above 👆🏻to make us like these two, but this was too hard to buy into. Right off the bat I hated everything about the set up and no back peddling and spin could fix it for me. The only somewhat saving grace was that they both felt horrible for what they were doing, but why do it if you know it’s terrible? And why continue to do it when it grates against your conscience? Ugh. They did come clean but it was too little too late for me.
If you want a good version of this trope read The Marriage Effect by the same author. It works way better, the set up actually makes sense and no one is a horrible liar scarring their kids and breaking the trust of their beloved family.
Shout out to Chris Brinkley for manrration, he’s on my top ten list and kept me from DNF.
2.5 stars because I liked the writing, I liked the emotion and I liked the Wilder family dynamics in this book but the entire premise sucked balls, here’s why:
1. He lies to the mother of his child and co-parent (who he apparently respects and has a good relationship with) so she will follow through and leave the country for a year leaving his daughter with him. This is a shitty way to co-parent. How about just having a deep conversation to address her fears and anxieties about leaving you with a daughter you haven’t been a full time parent to, like, ever.
2. The idea that he CAN’T be a good full time parent as a man and NEEDS to have a fake wife situation for his ex to be comfortable leaving him with his daughter speaks volumes on two things:
a. that men can’t parent kids effectively without women. Bullshit. Men are fully capable of being effective and nurturing single dads.
b. He has had six years to prove to his ex that he’s a good dad and trust worthy, the fact that he hasn’t and she’s so ok with leaving her kid only AFTER she finds out he’s getting married (to a stranger she does not know) is so fucking shitty I can’t even begin to tell you how infuriated I was by it. But since he actually is lying to her I wouldn’t trust him for two seconds either.
3. He thinks bringing a stranger into his life and his home will be a good idea for his daughter who is EXTREMELY sensitive, in therapy and has trouble dealing with change. So marry a stranger who was good with her for half an hour ONE TIME and then *checks notes* live with her in a fake marriage for a year before divorcing and ripping apart the new family the child has become accustomed to. Wow, give this guy a trophy for worst parenting decision ever 🏆 . Speaking as the mother of a sensitive, anxious child on the adhd spectrum, I object to all of this.
4. Her reason for getting fake married is because she overheard her dying father say he will miss not walking one of his daughters down the aisle is weak and terrible. First she’s tricking a dying man and her entire family to create a photo op essentially. Second, the entire idea of a dad walking a woman down the aisle is rooted deeply in terrible patriarchal ideas of women as property so it’s fucked up in so many ways. This isn’t a good moment for anyone.
5. They plan on never filing the license with the state and breaking up a year later, explaining it to everyone as ‘not working out’ so the plan was to lie to everyone for the rest of their lives? Sew gerrreeeaat.
6. He resists being with her in a real way for 90% of the book because it would complicate things FOR HIM. He says if he gets involved with her and passes that line she will destroy him… but it’s ok for her to get close to his daughter, and her family to get close to his daughter etc etc etc but HE MUST RESIST SEX! Are we supposed to admire him for this? It honestly made no sense why he pushed her away for so long but never had any boundaries with her and his extremely sensitive (probably on the spectrum) daughter. Again, here’s another trophy for amazing parenting 🏆.
I like this author quite a bit and she tried very hard to explain away all the stupid things above 👆🏻to make us like these two, but this was too hard to buy into. Right off the bat I hated everything about the set up and no back peddling and spin could fix it for me. The only somewhat saving grace was that they both felt horrible for what they were doing, but why do it if you know it’s terrible? And why continue to do it when it grates against your conscience? Ugh. They did come clean but it was too little too late for me.
If you want a good version of this trope read The Marriage Effect by the same author. It works way better, the set up actually makes sense and no one is a horrible liar scarring their kids and breaking the trust of their beloved family.
Shout out to Chris Brinkley for manrration, he’s on my top ten list and kept me from DNF.
May 14, 2024
I'm stuck between 2 and 3 stars. It was good enough to finish but nothing to really write home about. So I guess we'll settle on 2.5 stars.
Le sigh. The Wilder family is too good to be getting lied to! And the ex-wife to the MMC is too nice and decent of a person to be lied to.
It's like - the main characters are assholes for lying to everyone they love, and for some weak ass reasons.
I didn't really feel the chemistry between Beckett and Greer and so the spice was a little -
Err... maybe more like -
Anyway, I really like the family so I'm going to keep going with the series.
Le sigh. The Wilder family is too good to be getting lied to! And the ex-wife to the MMC is too nice and decent of a person to be lied to.
It's like - the main characters are assholes for lying to everyone they love, and for some weak ass reasons.
I didn't really feel the chemistry between Beckett and Greer and so the spice was a little -
Err... maybe more like -
Anyway, I really like the family so I'm going to keep going with the series.
June 11, 2023
5 stars
One And Only announces the commencement of -hopefully- a new addicting series featuring the Wilder siblings.
Greer Wilder had always been a people pleasure and a problem solver, therefore the day she overheard her dying father wishing he could walk one of his daughters down the aisle, she instantly initiated the quest of finding a husband before the inevitable —herstepfather succumbing to his sickness,— and surprise, surprise that’s when Beckett Coleman joined the picture and filled the role of her fake-husband.
The book oddly embarked us in a soft and delicate journey by sewing the faith of a devoted father and a selfless heroine, jointly. The storyline swayed between two paradoxical narratives of joyous and heartwarming moments between Beckett and his daughter trying to accept Greer in their select and private cocoon nuanced by moving, mournful family scenes portraying how the Wilder family tried, effortlessly, to deal with the upcoming lose of the pilar member of their family, their dad.
Greer was such a strong and colorful female lead. We met her previously in The Plan and The Crush, therefore I absolutely adored reconnecting with the Wilder family and dive once again in the crazy yet warm and loving dynamic surrounding them. Quite frankly, it’s mesmerizing how I am a little more charmed by the Wilders after each book. Greer tight bond with her family and stepfather were painted so vividly through the storytelling that some aspects of it were pretty hard to go through without the inevitable heartbreak. Greer was spontaneous, independent and frank.. too honest sometimes for Beckett’s liking.🤭
Beckett had an intriguing personnage builded and cemented by contradictions. A huge, fierce professional football player but yet a quiet and thoughtful man. But one and only trait of his character could masterfully portray him; how an exceptionnel father he was. His six year old daughter, Olive was without contest one of the best aspect of the storyline. (I love kids in romance but what I appreciate is, when they play a major part in the romance itself, when they’re involved in the protagonists day-to-day basis) The author pulled and played the single-parent card brilliantly. The daughter was the copy-carbon of her father; shy, quiet and untrusting. She was the main factor that pushed him to propose and accept the insane idea of marrying basically a stranger. Plus, the way his relationship with his daughter’s mother wasn’t tarnished by unnecessary drama was a refreshing concept of co-parenting.
Greer and Beckett love story was draw as a longing, splendid slowburn. They bloomed slowly but surely their relationship from strangers to soulmates, from faking it to feeling it. Their connection and sexual tension were palpable throughout the book and I absolutely enjoyed and loved every second of it, thankfully, it wasn’t accompanied with a third act breakup but with a tiny, mini conflict.
~•~•~•~•~
im in the biggest review slump. so everyone calms down rtc 😗
❛ No. Because I didn’t even know how to dream you up. You’re better than … everything. ❜
One And Only announces the commencement of -hopefully- a new addicting series featuring the Wilder siblings.
Greer Wilder had always been a people pleasure and a problem solver, therefore the day she overheard her dying father wishing he could walk one of his daughters down the aisle, she instantly initiated the quest of finding a husband before the inevitable —her
"I’ve always been ready for this. I just hadn’t met you yet."
The book oddly embarked us in a soft and delicate journey by sewing the faith of a devoted father and a selfless heroine, jointly. The storyline swayed between two paradoxical narratives of joyous and heartwarming moments between Beckett and his daughter trying to accept Greer in their select and private cocoon nuanced by moving, mournful family scenes portraying how the Wilder family tried, effortlessly, to deal with the upcoming lose of the pilar member of their family, their dad.
"She was beautiful—the kind of beautiful I’d probably never quite get used to."
Greer was such a strong and colorful female lead. We met her previously in The Plan and The Crush, therefore I absolutely adored reconnecting with the Wilder family and dive once again in the crazy yet warm and loving dynamic surrounding them. Quite frankly, it’s mesmerizing how I am a little more charmed by the Wilders after each book. Greer tight bond with her family and stepfather were painted so vividly through the storytelling that some aspects of it were pretty hard to go through without the inevitable heartbreak. Greer was spontaneous, independent and frank.. too honest sometimes for Beckett’s liking.🤭
"For a long time, I didn’t think men like this existed in my generation.
That there was someone with a big heart, who’d tear down the world for the people they loved. Who was selfless and giving and kind.
I’d never really even started looking because someone like this felt like a figment of my imagination.
The dream."
Beckett had an intriguing personnage builded and cemented by contradictions. A huge, fierce professional football player but yet a quiet and thoughtful man. But one and only trait of his character could masterfully portray him; how an exceptionnel father he was. His six year old daughter, Olive was without contest one of the best aspect of the storyline. (I love kids in romance but what I appreciate is, when they play a major part in the romance itself, when they’re involved in the protagonists day-to-day basis) The author pulled and played the single-parent card brilliantly. The daughter was the copy-carbon of her father; shy, quiet and untrusting. She was the main factor that pushed him to propose and accept the insane idea of marrying basically a stranger. Plus, the way his relationship with his daughter’s mother wasn’t tarnished by unnecessary drama was a refreshing concept of co-parenting.
"I’d fallen in love with him and knew he’d fallen in love with me right back, despite the odds stacked against us."
Greer and Beckett love story was draw as a longing, splendid slowburn. They bloomed slowly but surely their relationship from strangers to soulmates, from faking it to feeling it. Their connection and sexual tension were palpable throughout the book and I absolutely enjoyed and loved every second of it, thankfully, it wasn’t accompanied with a third act breakup but with a tiny, mini conflict.
~•~•~•~•~
im in the biggest review slump. so everyone calms down rtc 😗
June 8, 2023
*4.5* Rounded up.
WANTED:
This one makes a Zapata story look like a fast burn. But seriously, one of the most authentic fake marriage stories out there. This one started off a little rough, but by the 50% mark I was completely invested in these characters.
Highly recommended for fans of:
✔️Single dad
✔️Fake marriage
✔️Found family
✔️Sloooooow burn
✔️Zero cheating, no OW drama
✔️Crazy HOT chemistry
✔️Genuinely real conversations
✔️A hero, who is more of a hero than I’ve read in a long time
✔️Beautiful HEA. Get that man a white steed!
I didn’t agree with all of the decisions the characters made in this story, but I think that led to it feeling authentic.
Huge thanks to my international bookclub buddy readers. Somehow we manage to read books together despite three different time zones!
WANTED:
A nice smile.A story of a woman asking for what she thinks she wants, and ending up getting what she actually needed.
Taller than me.
Relatively sane.
Moderately attractive.
Willing to fake marry a stranger for money.
This one makes a Zapata story look like a fast burn. But seriously, one of the most authentic fake marriage stories out there. This one started off a little rough, but by the 50% mark I was completely invested in these characters.
Highly recommended for fans of:
✔️Single dad
✔️Fake marriage
✔️Found family
✔️Sloooooow burn
✔️Zero cheating, no OW drama
✔️Crazy HOT chemistry
✔️Genuinely real conversations
✔️A hero, who is more of a hero than I’ve read in a long time
✔️Beautiful HEA. Get that man a white steed!
I didn’t agree with all of the decisions the characters made in this story, but I think that led to it feeling authentic.
Huge thanks to my international bookclub buddy readers. Somehow we manage to read books together despite three different time zones!
June 20, 2023
Ugh his resistance and all of the holding back were really annoying. He spend the whole book holding himself back and doing nth and it stopped being charming after the first few times, like dude do something!! And the way she was so understanding like ugh. I’d just say that they didn’t take advantage of the trope. What a shame!! In addition to that, they really had no chemistry. I wanted tension and pinning and not being able to fake it anymore, but I didn’t feel that. I just wasn’t really feeling their chemistry. Like show me something!! There weren’t a lot happening in the book.
Also, when it all went down and he came back saying; “I’m here to get my wife” I was like HAH!!!!
Also, when it all went down and he came back saying; “I’m here to get my wife” I was like HAH!!!!
May 28, 2023
3 💔💘🐌⭐️s
A very emotional romance read.
Some parts touched my heart deeply, yet others tired me.
The slow burn was extremely slow!! Sports scenes were almost absent and the ending was very rushed.
Regardless, the characters were amazing as well as the bonds among them.
A very emotional romance read.
Some parts touched my heart deeply, yet others tired me.
The slow burn was extremely slow!! Sports scenes were almost absent and the ending was very rushed.
Regardless, the characters were amazing as well as the bonds among them.
August 15, 2023
Like Greer (h) and Beckett's (H) fake marriage, my feelings on this book were a little complicated. It's a slower-paced, slow burn, character focused romance with some solid tropes - fake marriage, single dad (who co-parents beautifully), and opposites attracting. One of my friend's reviews mentioned that this felt like an authentic fake marriage and I agree because it's not an OTT situation. Greer and Beckett each have deeply personal (and emotional) reasons to enter into this agreement. When the lines become blurred and boundaries are tested, it's not smooth or an automatic transition from fake to real. Both main characters were so nuanced and so was the situation they found themselves in. At times their story read too slowly for me personally. I also wished for a couple of scenes that were skipped or glossed over to build more tension and chemistry. What kept me turning the pages though was the emotional connection. I cried a couple of times during this one and I genuinely enjoyed both Greer and Beckett, even when their choices made me frustrated. Written in first person, dual POV. No ow/om drama and neither were virgins (I don't remember there being a specific mention how long it'd been for either).
Supporting character-wise, Beckett's daughter, Olive, was precious. She actually reminded me of my own kids in different ways and made my heart melt. Some of Beckett's teammates (including one of Greer's brothers) also had some good scenes. I do wish they'd been on page more and that one scene in particular had been included. Greer has a large blended family with siblings, step-siblings (who are just like her blood), and her parents. This group was on page quite often and were a major part of the book. A couple are from prior books, for anyone who's read those.
I felt for Beckett because he had Olive and even though Olive's mom and he were friendly and co-parented so well together, he doesn't have a group of people cheering him on and backing him up. But he starts getting that feeling because of Greer, which also made my heart melt. She was there and ready to do what was needed when it was needed. Greer on the other hand, got to experience the genuineness and goodness of Beckett. Man he was a wonderful hero with his earnestness and him wanting to do the right thing. He was reserved and more quiet, which contrasted with Greer's unfettered and impulsive self, they made for a balanced couple.
I loved seeing Greer and Beckett slowly stop creeping around each other as roommates and start moving towards coupledom. I do wish that there had been some date nights or even more emotionally intimate moments once they were a couple though, since the slow burn meant this didn't completely gel til close to the end. There is a bit of conflict over the fake marriage and you get some roller coaster emotional feels, but the payoff was excellent. This also isn't a super steamy book since, again, slow burn, but there are a couple on page scenes. Then the HEA is so wonderful and really captured their little family a few months further down the road. I don't think this book would work for all of my GR friends, but I enjoyed it. It does seem like a couple of other family members are likely to also have stories that I'm interested in too.
Supporting character-wise, Beckett's daughter, Olive, was precious. She actually reminded me of my own kids in different ways and made my heart melt. Some of Beckett's teammates (including one of Greer's brothers) also had some good scenes. I do wish they'd been on page more and that one scene in particular had been included. Greer has a large blended family with siblings, step-siblings (who are just like her blood), and her parents. This group was on page quite often and were a major part of the book. A couple are from prior books, for anyone who's read those.
I felt for Beckett because he had Olive and even though Olive's mom and he were friendly and co-parented so well together, he doesn't have a group of people cheering him on and backing him up. But he starts getting that feeling because of Greer, which also made my heart melt. She was there and ready to do what was needed when it was needed. Greer on the other hand, got to experience the genuineness and goodness of Beckett. Man he was a wonderful hero with his earnestness and him wanting to do the right thing. He was reserved and more quiet, which contrasted with Greer's unfettered and impulsive self, they made for a balanced couple.
I loved seeing Greer and Beckett slowly stop creeping around each other as roommates and start moving towards coupledom. I do wish that there had been some date nights or even more emotionally intimate moments once they were a couple though, since the slow burn meant this didn't completely gel til close to the end. There is a bit of conflict over the fake marriage and you get some roller coaster emotional feels, but the payoff was excellent. This also isn't a super steamy book since, again, slow burn, but there are a couple on page scenes. Then the HEA is so wonderful and really captured their little family a few months further down the road. I don't think this book would work for all of my GR friends, but I enjoyed it. It does seem like a couple of other family members are likely to also have stories that I'm interested in too.
August 1, 2023
i was fully not expecting to cry but cue the sobbing quite honestly.
one of my new favorite single dad and marriage of convenience books.
beckett needs to convince his child's mother that she'll be okay with him full time for a year and greer wants to fulfill a family member's wishes so what do they come up with? a fake marriage.
and thus sparks the cutest relationship between each other, between greer and beckett's daughter, and between the three of them. i LOVED greer and beckett. they reminded me why i love slow burns so much. it's the build up of all the quiet, sneaky moments to something so special.
greer was 10/10. i love any heroine who will bully a child to protect their own! she just wanted to be in their little family so bad and beckett was happy to have greer's crazy loud family. just such a cute book and obvi, some great 'my wife' moments
one of my new favorite single dad and marriage of convenience books.
beckett needs to convince his child's mother that she'll be okay with him full time for a year and greer wants to fulfill a family member's wishes so what do they come up with? a fake marriage.
and thus sparks the cutest relationship between each other, between greer and beckett's daughter, and between the three of them. i LOVED greer and beckett. they reminded me why i love slow burns so much. it's the build up of all the quiet, sneaky moments to something so special.
greer was 10/10. i love any heroine who will bully a child to protect their own! she just wanted to be in their little family so bad and beckett was happy to have greer's crazy loud family. just such a cute book and obvi, some great 'my wife' moments
June 17, 2023
DNF @ 94% (I know, I can be such a bitch, but I just couldn't take it anymore.)
Despite the fake marriage premise, this was a slow burn with mature, morally upright characters making good choices . . .
However, I know so many of you are into slow burns and the writing was solid here. Plus the kid was EXTRA cute. 3.5 rounded up.
Despite the fake marriage premise, this was a slow burn with mature, morally upright characters making good choices . . .
"He says what he means, and he's not afraid of my crazy ideas, and he doesn't try to make me be anything other than what I am.". . . personally, I found it to be a snooze-fest. I much prefer impulsive characters who make terrible decisions. Pining is so un-sexy and the way the conflict played out at about 90% gave the entire story a veneer of pointless tedium for me.
However, I know so many of you are into slow burns and the writing was solid here. Plus the kid was EXTRA cute. 3.5 rounded up.
May 19, 2024
Sick parent
Single dad (the kid is super cute)
Sports romance (not a main plot point)
Marriage of convenience/Fake marriage
Slow burn (no smut before the last 20%)
Healthy communication (the main couple)
Big blended meddling family (love her siblings)
A lot of lying (the main couple to everyone else)
Need to get my hands on the next ones
Single dad (the kid is super cute)
Sports romance (not a main plot point)
Marriage of convenience/Fake marriage
Slow burn (no smut before the last 20%)
Healthy communication (the main couple)
Big blended meddling family (love her siblings)
A lot of lying (the main couple to everyone else)
Need to get my hands on the next ones
June 19, 2023
One and Only is a slow-burn romance that you won't be able to stop reading! ✧˚ ༘ ⋆｡♡˚
As soon as I found out this book was a fake marriage romance, I was so into it already. So, the main characters pretend to be married because of personal reasons. This union works for them and so they do it. But of course, living together and being so close to each other 24/7 creates some feelings that develop over the time they are together. It's so beautiful to see when everything changes and how thye go from basically roommates to people who care about each other.
Beckett also has a daughter! He's a single dad, though he does share custody with the mother of his kid. I love the healthy relationship these two have actually. They had a one-night stand and tried for a couple of months to be together back then but they knew they were better off as friends. So, each of them have continued on with their lives and have always wanted the other to be happy! Josie, the mother, is super nice and when she meets Greer she is so happy that Beckett has found someone to be with him. It's such a good relationship and the parenting they do for their daughter is so cute.
I love the dynamic Greer and Beckett have so much. Beckett is pretty quiet and doesn't go out much. His life consists of going to practice, train, be with his daughter, and so on. He doesn't have a family, both parents are gone, so he has been alone for a while now. Only him and Olive, his daughter. But now that he's with Greer, he has the opportunity to know how a big family feels. And it's so wonderfulllll. Because it's not only for him, right? Olive also is a part of it and now he has so many people who care about her too. Big family dinners, reunions, Beckett has never experienced that. It's nice that he knows gets to be part of a big family when he never has gone through that at all.
It's a slow-burn, my friend. This romance is *oof* so nice. The hero pins after the heroine for better part of the story and it's so UNF TO SEE IT HAPPEN. He wants her so bad, SO BAD, but he doesn't want to mesh together the lies, the love, and the truths in this union. So the solution? He pins and pins and pins. I say slow burn because they get together very late in the book and they only really kiss like twice before that. Once because they have to get married and the other one, I think it was one time at their place and they were alone. But that's it. LIKE THE LEVEL OF WANT THEY BOTH HAVE WHEN THEY ACTUALLY BOTH CAN ACT UPON THESE FEELINGS??? My god. They just show it all and it's wonderful when you get to that part.
I'm excited to see where this series goes, for sure. I love Karla's novels because she mixes sports and romance so effortlessly. The characters are always so endearing and charming, I want to know more as soon as I meet them. One of my favorites from her is The Bombshell Effect and it's such a good book that if someone ever asks me which Karla book should they start with, I would say that one because it has everything a romance book needs to have♡
As soon as I found out this book was a fake marriage romance, I was so into it already. So, the main characters pretend to be married because of personal reasons. This union works for them and so they do it. But of course, living together and being so close to each other 24/7 creates some feelings that develop over the time they are together. It's so beautiful to see when everything changes and how thye go from basically roommates to people who care about each other.
Beckett also has a daughter! He's a single dad, though he does share custody with the mother of his kid. I love the healthy relationship these two have actually. They had a one-night stand and tried for a couple of months to be together back then but they knew they were better off as friends. So, each of them have continued on with their lives and have always wanted the other to be happy! Josie, the mother, is super nice and when she meets Greer she is so happy that Beckett has found someone to be with him. It's such a good relationship and the parenting they do for their daughter is so cute.
I love the dynamic Greer and Beckett have so much. Beckett is pretty quiet and doesn't go out much. His life consists of going to practice, train, be with his daughter, and so on. He doesn't have a family, both parents are gone, so he has been alone for a while now. Only him and Olive, his daughter. But now that he's with Greer, he has the opportunity to know how a big family feels. And it's so wonderfulllll. Because it's not only for him, right? Olive also is a part of it and now he has so many people who care about her too. Big family dinners, reunions, Beckett has never experienced that. It's nice that he knows gets to be part of a big family when he never has gone through that at all.
It's a slow-burn, my friend. This romance is *oof* so nice. The hero pins after the heroine for better part of the story and it's so UNF TO SEE IT HAPPEN. He wants her so bad, SO BAD, but he doesn't want to mesh together the lies, the love, and the truths in this union. So the solution? He pins and pins and pins. I say slow burn because they get together very late in the book and they only really kiss like twice before that. Once because they have to get married and the other one, I think it was one time at their place and they were alone. But that's it. LIKE THE LEVEL OF WANT THEY BOTH HAVE WHEN THEY ACTUALLY BOTH CAN ACT UPON THESE FEELINGS??? My god. They just show it all and it's wonderful when you get to that part.
I'm excited to see where this series goes, for sure. I love Karla's novels because she mixes sports and romance so effortlessly. The characters are always so endearing and charming, I want to know more as soon as I meet them. One of my favorites from her is The Bombshell Effect and it's such a good book that if someone ever asks me which Karla book should they start with, I would say that one because it has everything a romance book needs to have♡
August 17, 2023
Ugh. I'm crying and I love this so much.
4.5 stars cause I wanted more time with them definitively together.
I will be reading this one again.
These two are such lovely people. You can see right away how solid and fantastic they are. Sure, they have their hangups and issues, but they are solid gold. But not too good in a way that would make you sick. Just so wonderful that I loved the way they interacted with the daughter and every human around them.
I adore the Wilder family and want more stories.
Rain's review is great for this!
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Safety deets
- no OW/OM. He co-parents with his baby mama who was/is a good friend of his that he slept with once but otherwise weren't romantic together. And she's on first dates with some other guys when she first meets the hero.
- HEA... we get to see them together and in love 7 months later. But we didn't get enough time with them!
- consent was good and communication was great. But the dude held back a long time and it killed me.
- sexy times are minimal and at the very end.
4.5 stars cause I wanted more time with them definitively together.
I will be reading this one again.
These two are such lovely people. You can see right away how solid and fantastic they are. Sure, they have their hangups and issues, but they are solid gold. But not too good in a way that would make you sick. Just so wonderful that I loved the way they interacted with the daughter and every human around them.
I adore the Wilder family and want more stories.
Rain's review is great for this!
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Safety deets
- no OW/OM. He co-parents with his baby mama who was/is a good friend of his that he slept with once but otherwise weren't romantic together. And she's on first dates with some other guys when she first meets the hero.
- HEA... we get to see them together and in love 7 months later. But we didn't get enough time with them!
- consent was good and communication was great. But the dude held back a long time and it killed me.
- sexy times are minimal and at the very end.
January 2, 2024
One and Only is a disappointment. Yup my first book for 2024 is major let down. And this book is written by Karla Sorensen adds another blow to my mood.
I was expecting swoon, sweet and tender romance with single dad trope. But to be honest, I can not connect with the story and the characters.
2 stars
I was expecting swoon, sweet and tender romance with single dad trope. But to be honest, I can not connect with the story and the characters.
2 stars
June 19, 2023
a single dad romance with the marriage of convenience and the “Touch her and I’ll break every fucking bone in your hand,” trope, so sweet, heartwarming and well written, it had me smiling or crying or both the whole time, i loved it.
May 31, 2023
3.5 stars
This story had a ton of potential and I was intrigued by the opposites attract/marriage of convenience tropes, but unfortunately I never fully felt the connection between Greer and Beckett. I think part of the problem was that it felt like more time was spent setting up future books in the series instead of developing the romance.
It’s a super slow burn between Greer and Beckett and the forced proximity should have ramped up the chemistry, but sadly it fell flat. There also seemed to be a lot more telling than showing, which only made the connection between the characters feel weaker. I thought the conflict was understandable, but it was drawn out so long that it made the ending feel very rushed. I really loved the Wilder family though and they provided some wonderful comic relief throughout. The sibling relationships were so fun and sweet, but it was Greer’s relationship with Tim that really got me. I also really appreciated the healthy coparenting relationship that Beckett had with Josie. They always put Olive first and never forced her to act/be anything but herself. Overall this was an enjoyable read, but I’m sad I didn’t love it.
CW: cancer/parental illness, parental abandonment (past), death of parent (past)
This story had a ton of potential and I was intrigued by the opposites attract/marriage of convenience tropes, but unfortunately I never fully felt the connection between Greer and Beckett. I think part of the problem was that it felt like more time was spent setting up future books in the series instead of developing the romance.
It’s a super slow burn between Greer and Beckett and the forced proximity should have ramped up the chemistry, but sadly it fell flat. There also seemed to be a lot more telling than showing, which only made the connection between the characters feel weaker. I thought the conflict was understandable, but it was drawn out so long that it made the ending feel very rushed. I really loved the Wilder family though and they provided some wonderful comic relief throughout. The sibling relationships were so fun and sweet, but it was Greer’s relationship with Tim that really got me. I also really appreciated the healthy coparenting relationship that Beckett had with Josie. They always put Olive first and never forced her to act/be anything but herself. Overall this was an enjoyable read, but I’m sad I didn’t love it.
CW: cancer/parental illness, parental abandonment (past), death of parent (past)
May 27, 2023
This book is exhaustingly boring.
Seriously, the stuff with the families was lovely, but this book was probably the most boring ‘not terrible’ book I’ve read in a long time. I almost DNF’d this book at least three times and I wish I would’ve done it. There was one glorious line - “The hard comes in life, whether you do something to lessen the blow or not. And you can’t make it disappear because you hate seeing the people in your life suffer through it.” - that made me not regret the experience completely.
I honestly can’t believe I finished it. I basically angry-skimmed the last 40%. It’s not a bad book. But it’s so flipping boring.
The parts that I wanted more of weren’t there. For example, there’s a flag football game that seemed so freaking interesting, but do we get anything from the game? Nope. She shows up, says she’s playing, then we find out in the next chapter that her team won.
There was also a ton of info that really wasn’t necessary. I feel like I know more info about his ‘ex’s’ relationship than theirs. The single dad with a good relationship with his daughter’s mother thing was great. But that was the entire focus. I love that there aren’t big stakes because of ‘baby mama drama’, but then big stakes were INVENTED because they had such a good relationship. Why?
There was basically no spice. Seriously, like 2 steamy moments…only one with mutual Os. It’s a romance with spice. Not a spicy romance. Don’t even think the word smut around this book. Cause it’s not even a remote possibility.
I really wanted to like it. I really hoped I would. I’m not usually huge on fake relationships, but I loved the single dad aspect. I’m currently dealing with a sick father, much like the FMC, although my situation is not as dire. I really wanted to love it for that relationship. But how can you save a romance novel with so little actual romance in it? These two had absolutely no chemistry. The couple of steamy moments they had were deliberately stifled for reasons I still don’t understand.
2 stars. It doesn’t suck enough to warrant a 1 star, but it’s just not entertaining. I can’t recommend it because I think it is a really crummy example of nearly every subgenre it sits in. There are so many better reads.
I don’t think that the writing style is bad…but the choice of what to feature in the story was not good. It just had so much potential. Unfortunately, it fell flat.
Seriously, the stuff with the families was lovely, but this book was probably the most boring ‘not terrible’ book I’ve read in a long time. I almost DNF’d this book at least three times and I wish I would’ve done it. There was one glorious line - “The hard comes in life, whether you do something to lessen the blow or not. And you can’t make it disappear because you hate seeing the people in your life suffer through it.” - that made me not regret the experience completely.
I honestly can’t believe I finished it. I basically angry-skimmed the last 40%. It’s not a bad book. But it’s so flipping boring.
The parts that I wanted more of weren’t there. For example, there’s a flag football game that seemed so freaking interesting, but do we get anything from the game? Nope. She shows up, says she’s playing, then we find out in the next chapter that her team won.
There was also a ton of info that really wasn’t necessary. I feel like I know more info about his ‘ex’s’ relationship than theirs. The single dad with a good relationship with his daughter’s mother thing was great. But that was the entire focus. I love that there aren’t big stakes because of ‘baby mama drama’, but then big stakes were INVENTED because they had such a good relationship. Why?
There was basically no spice. Seriously, like 2 steamy moments…only one with mutual Os. It’s a romance with spice. Not a spicy romance. Don’t even think the word smut around this book. Cause it’s not even a remote possibility.
I really wanted to like it. I really hoped I would. I’m not usually huge on fake relationships, but I loved the single dad aspect. I’m currently dealing with a sick father, much like the FMC, although my situation is not as dire. I really wanted to love it for that relationship. But how can you save a romance novel with so little actual romance in it? These two had absolutely no chemistry. The couple of steamy moments they had were deliberately stifled for reasons I still don’t understand.
2 stars. It doesn’t suck enough to warrant a 1 star, but it’s just not entertaining. I can’t recommend it because I think it is a really crummy example of nearly every subgenre it sits in. There are so many better reads.
I don’t think that the writing style is bad…but the choice of what to feature in the story was not good. It just had so much potential. Unfortunately, it fell flat.
May 15, 2023
I loved getting to spend time with the Wilder family after meeting them in The Plan/The Crush. Greer Wilder is one of the sisters. Their dad is dying, and one of his regrets is that he’d never get to walk his daughters down the aisle.
Have no fear, Greer is here!
Her hunt for a fake husband leads her to Beckett, her brother’s football teammate. The quiet, reserved single dad thinks she’s crazy at first, until he realizes that a fake wife may be the answer to his problems, too.
The slow burn between these two was impeccable. I loved that, what started out as fake, developed into two people intertwining their lives together. Greer was amazing with Beckett’s daughter! The co-parenting between Beckett and his ex was refreshing.
The Wilder family was so cozy, and I cannot WAIT to see the rest of the siblings find love! If you want to meet the Wilder family for the first, I highly recommend starting with The Plan (Erik Wilder) or The Crush (Adaline Wilder). Otherwise, this can be read as a standalone, with the author doing a great job of explaining who is who in the family!
TROPES: fake marriage; single dad; forced proximity/roommates; one bed; slow burn; great co-parenting; athlete hero (football); big family; opposites attract
TRIGGER WARNINGS: parent with cancer (no death in this book)
Have no fear, Greer is here!
Her hunt for a fake husband leads her to Beckett, her brother’s football teammate. The quiet, reserved single dad thinks she’s crazy at first, until he realizes that a fake wife may be the answer to his problems, too.
The slow burn between these two was impeccable. I loved that, what started out as fake, developed into two people intertwining their lives together. Greer was amazing with Beckett’s daughter! The co-parenting between Beckett and his ex was refreshing.
The Wilder family was so cozy, and I cannot WAIT to see the rest of the siblings find love! If you want to meet the Wilder family for the first, I highly recommend starting with The Plan (Erik Wilder) or The Crush (Adaline Wilder). Otherwise, this can be read as a standalone, with the author doing a great job of explaining who is who in the family!
TROPES: fake marriage; single dad; forced proximity/roommates; one bed; slow burn; great co-parenting; athlete hero (football); big family; opposites attract
TRIGGER WARNINGS: parent with cancer (no death in this book)
May 17, 2023
So good
Marriage of convenience with a slow, delicious burn? Yes, please! I always look forward to Sorensen's new releases, but the tropes in this one felt like they were made for me. Patient, steady hero - who is also a single dad - paired with a firecracker of a heroine who will surely liven up his life. I loved the focus on the emotional connection before adding the physical into the mix, and the chemistry shone through it all. I also loved how perfectly these two complemented each other; they definitely aren't each other's usual types, but their contrasts are what make them so great. There are some tender family moments and plenty of sexual tension, which made this easygoing romance so immensely compelling. I eagerly anticipated the moment when they would finally (truly) make their way together, and it was an all-around solid read.
The story follows Greer, a woman who is willing to do something a little insane. Her stepfather is dying, and having him pass before he gets the chance to walk one of his daughters down the aisle is simply not an option. Unfortunately, no one else in the family is at that point in their lives, so Greer is willing to make it happen - one way or another. When her brother's teammate catches wind of Greer's plans, he unexpectedly offers to fill the role of fake husband. It's not like they'll really file the paperwork, and Beckett could use a woman in his life to ensure that he keeps custody of his daughter. It should be a simple, no frills arrangement between near-strangers who are DEFINITELY not each other's usual types, but these two total opposites soon discover that they might've been seeking out the wrong type all these years. But a relationship built on a foundation this rocky is sure to crumble at some point, and neither one is prepared for the fallout.
While this is part of a series, it easily stands on its own. I always love the family moments that tie the series together, but Greer and Beckett are the stars here. Marriage of convenience is one of my favorite tropes for a reason, and I loved how unique the execution of this one felt. They're essentially strangers, though they have a lot of connections, and they also did not anticipate being truly attracted to each other. It's a complication that isn't necessarily welcome, and watching them navigate that was a lot of fun. I particularly loved how solid and steady Beckett is; he's such a great guy, and only wants to do the best he can for his young daughter. Greer brings out a side of him that was intense and electric as well, with some seriously smokin' scenes towards the end - made even more intimate because of the wait. This is a slow, slow burn, and that component was a definite win for me. The whole thing was great, and I happily binged it.
Marriage of convenience with a slow, delicious burn? Yes, please! I always look forward to Sorensen's new releases, but the tropes in this one felt like they were made for me. Patient, steady hero - who is also a single dad - paired with a firecracker of a heroine who will surely liven up his life. I loved the focus on the emotional connection before adding the physical into the mix, and the chemistry shone through it all. I also loved how perfectly these two complemented each other; they definitely aren't each other's usual types, but their contrasts are what make them so great. There are some tender family moments and plenty of sexual tension, which made this easygoing romance so immensely compelling. I eagerly anticipated the moment when they would finally (truly) make their way together, and it was an all-around solid read.
The story follows Greer, a woman who is willing to do something a little insane. Her stepfather is dying, and having him pass before he gets the chance to walk one of his daughters down the aisle is simply not an option. Unfortunately, no one else in the family is at that point in their lives, so Greer is willing to make it happen - one way or another. When her brother's teammate catches wind of Greer's plans, he unexpectedly offers to fill the role of fake husband. It's not like they'll really file the paperwork, and Beckett could use a woman in his life to ensure that he keeps custody of his daughter. It should be a simple, no frills arrangement between near-strangers who are DEFINITELY not each other's usual types, but these two total opposites soon discover that they might've been seeking out the wrong type all these years. But a relationship built on a foundation this rocky is sure to crumble at some point, and neither one is prepared for the fallout.
While this is part of a series, it easily stands on its own. I always love the family moments that tie the series together, but Greer and Beckett are the stars here. Marriage of convenience is one of my favorite tropes for a reason, and I loved how unique the execution of this one felt. They're essentially strangers, though they have a lot of connections, and they also did not anticipate being truly attracted to each other. It's a complication that isn't necessarily welcome, and watching them navigate that was a lot of fun. I particularly loved how solid and steady Beckett is; he's such a great guy, and only wants to do the best he can for his young daughter. Greer brings out a side of him that was intense and electric as well, with some seriously smokin' scenes towards the end - made even more intimate because of the wait. This is a slow, slow burn, and that component was a definite win for me. The whole thing was great, and I happily binged it.
May 23, 2023
3.5 Stars
I personally don't think this book was the best Karla Sorensen I've read but I still enjoyed the read. The daughter was adorable in here. The fake engangement/marraige was alright but OMG this was so freaking SLOW BBURNNNNNN.
I personally don't think this book was the best Karla Sorensen I've read but I still enjoyed the read. The daughter was adorable in here. The fake engangement/marraige was alright but OMG this was so freaking SLOW BBURNNNNNN.
July 7, 2023
4+ ⭐️
Una storia in perfetto stile Sorensen! Diciamo che questa autrice è ormai una certezza quando si cercano letture leggere, piacevoli e dolci.
Forse si poteva fare un po’ di più nei capitoli finali ma anche così è andata più che bene!
Una storia in perfetto stile Sorensen! Diciamo che questa autrice è ormai una certezza quando si cercano letture leggere, piacevoli e dolci.
Forse si poteva fare un po’ di più nei capitoli finali ma anche così è andata più che bene!
May 23, 2023
This was SLOOOOW burn
March 30, 2025
La autora reúne a estos dos personajes de una manera creíble, y sus interacciones son divertidas y agradables. El libro está ambientado en un pueblo pequeño, lo que añade una sensación acogedora a la historia. La falta de drama innecesario también es una ventaja, ya que permite al lector centrarse en la relación y el crecimiento personal de los personajes. Ha sido una lectura encantadora con una gran combinación de romance y familia encontrada.
June 22, 2023
2.5 stars
I love slow-burn romance, but when the couple has chemistry. I was more invested in family stuff and possibly of Poppy and Jax.
I love slow-burn romance, but when the couple has chemistry. I was more invested in family stuff and possibly of Poppy and Jax.
August 17, 2023
Perfectly lovely if mostly chaste marriage of convenience.
Sweet little girl. Football player dad. Greer has it good. Too bad it's fake. Can she make it real?
4 stars
1.5 on the spice scale
Sweet little girl. Football player dad. Greer has it good. Too bad it's fake. Can she make it real?
4 stars
1.5 on the spice scale
June 12, 2023
3.75 stars ⭐️
This was definitely a slow burn. Slow burn level: 93% 😩 if you don’t like slow burns and need the heat pick something else. I enjoyed the story and these two tho 🫶🏻
This was definitely a slow burn. Slow burn level: 93% 😩 if you don’t like slow burns and need the heat pick something else. I enjoyed the story and these two tho 🫶🏻
April 3, 2023
Can you say 'debut in a new family saga'? Can you say 'fake marriage'? Can you say 'single dad'? Can you say 'slow burn'?
In fact, in One and Only you can say all of these things and a lot more besides.
This new series by Karla Sorensen is going to blow your mind. She has done such a fantastic job of introducing the family, I already have a preferential wish list of the order the Wilder siblings will get their HEAs.
Greer is just sensational. She is the girliest 'one of the boys' I've ever encountered and can run rings round her co-workers and her brothers whilst keeping a very firm grip on her nurturing and girly traits.
Beckett is the most frustratingly 'black and white' guy that this author has written but that just makes him all the more swoon worthy in my opinion.
You will be swept along in the story of Greer and Beckett's fake marriage. You will come to love the beautiful Olive. You will be envious of Greer's relationship with her brother Cameron and you will adore the steps she takes to protect those she loves...even in a school playground!
I urge you to sit down and get to know the Wilders, I'm sure you will be, like me, totally enamoured by them!
In fact, in One and Only you can say all of these things and a lot more besides.
This new series by Karla Sorensen is going to blow your mind. She has done such a fantastic job of introducing the family, I already have a preferential wish list of the order the Wilder siblings will get their HEAs.
Greer is just sensational. She is the girliest 'one of the boys' I've ever encountered and can run rings round her co-workers and her brothers whilst keeping a very firm grip on her nurturing and girly traits.
Beckett is the most frustratingly 'black and white' guy that this author has written but that just makes him all the more swoon worthy in my opinion.
You will be swept along in the story of Greer and Beckett's fake marriage. You will come to love the beautiful Olive. You will be envious of Greer's relationship with her brother Cameron and you will adore the steps she takes to protect those she loves...even in a school playground!
I urge you to sit down and get to know the Wilders, I'm sure you will be, like me, totally enamoured by them!
July 26, 2023
Such good. Such lovely. Such chemistry. It's a clear win for me with my first Sorensen read. The family dynamic was on point (I can't wait to read Erik and Adaline's books); the romance was fantastic, you could feel the building tension; and the bond between them with Olive as a unit was the sweetest. I loved it.
July 18, 2023
4 solid stars
This was easily the most tension filled, marriage of convenience I’ve ever read. I didn’t get spice until like 90% and I didn’t have this since Wall of Winnipeg and Me. I really loved this.
This was easily the most tension filled, marriage of convenience I’ve ever read. I didn’t get spice until like 90% and I didn’t have this since Wall of Winnipeg and Me. I really loved this.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,641 reviews