The One I Want

Once Upon a Time #3

by Maya Alden

Once upon a time in the enchanting wine-country town of Everwood, there was a young woman named Ariel Callahan, who, like the Little Mermaid, loved a prince from a world unlike her own. Tej Nair, a prince in his own right, was a man caught between love and duty, fond of Ariel but tethered to his conservative Indian family's expectations.

Ariel's love for Tej was as deep as the ocean, yet she had to keep it hidden, just like her heartache upon discovering she could never bear children. This secret, used by Tej's mother, tore them apart, leading Ariel to flee to New York, leaving behind her childhood home and family for a life of helping others.

Seven years passed, with Ariel transforming her pain into passion, working tirelessly at the ACLU. But the call of Everwood, her home, was strong, and she returned to find solace in her family's vineyard and the cozy confines of the Whispering Vines wine bar.

Tej's journey mirrored Ariel's. His life was a tale of unfulfilled dreams and obligations, leading to an unhappy arranged marriage and a successful yet unfulfilling career. His heart remained adrift, just like his new home on a boat in Santa Barbara harbor.

Their reunion was bittersweet, laden with resentment and unspoken truths. The spark that once ignited their love still flickered, but the shadows of their past loomed large. It seemed as though their story was destined for heartache, until a sprinkle of magic, the warmth of Everwood's sun-kissed vineyards, and the courage to embrace true love guided them back to each other.

I am Seraphine Vine, the fairy godmother of Everwood. I bring together lost souls and mend broken hearts. With a wave of my magic wand, I present to you the tale of a Little Mermaid and her prince, a story of sacrifice, hidden truths, and the enduring power of love. For sometimes, the one you want is worth every trial.

Genres: Second Chance, Romance, Contemporary Romance, Small Town Romance, Second Chance Romance, Contemporary, Friends To Lovers

338 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 18, 2024

About the author

A top 20 Amazon Bestselling Author, Maya Alden pens angsty contemporary romances.

Reviews

[VoraciousReader · Rating 3 out of 5]

1. I found the plot for this book to be a bit farfetched. Tej treated Ariel like $hit the whole time they were together. He spent THREE YEARS making her hide the fact that they were seeing each other while he dated other women in public to appease his parents. Every time Ariel complained, he accused her of being unsupportive and not understanding how much pressure he was under from his parents and his job. When she finally had enough and left him, he hated her and blamed her for years.

When they saw each other again almost a decade later, he suddenly had an epiphany and realized how terribly he had treated her and that he was actually at fault for everything including hurting her so badly he drove her away and he felt crushing guilt for everything he’d put her through. 🙄

2. I don't know how Ariel could ever trust Tej again. He told her over and over that he was trying to find a way out of an arranged marriage but he admitted to himself at 76% that he never intended to be with Ariel; he always knew that he'd be "like all those Indians who f*ck white girls and then marry the nice Indian girl their parents put in front of them."

3. There were too many inconsistencies in this book.
a. When Ariel’s brother, Atlas, found out about her relationship with Tej, he said to her, “I love you, and I love Tej, and I have no sides to take.” Yet later in the book, when Tej wanted to know if Ariel had asked about him, Atlas shook his head and said, “And, even if she did, Tej, I wouldn’t tell you. Between you and my sister, my loyalties are clear.”
b. About 1/3 of the way through the book, Tej said to himself, “Ariel was the most beautiful woman I’d ever been with.” Only a few pages later he said, “Objectively, Anjali was better looking than Ariel.”
c. In one breath, Tej said, he “had a lot of groveling to do” to get Ariel back and in the next, he was snapping at her for being upset at his constantly mentioning his ex-wife’s name.
d. Tej was “livid” when he was told that his mother had accessed Ariel’s medical records and found out that she had endometriosis yet he didn’t think there was anything wrong with sharing that diagnosis with his brother and his brother’s wife without Ariel’s permission.
e. In one paragraph, Tej was apologizing to Ariel for mentioning his wife’s name because it obviously upset her. A few paragraphs later, he was still mentioning Anjali by name and snapping at Ariel for reacting.
f. Ariel was heartbroken by Tej’s marriage, so much so that she couldn’t even stand to hear him mention his ex-wife’s name. Yet, when she found out that Tej had told her that he was going to a “family function” and then escorted his ex-wife to a wedding, she was completely unconcerned.

[Lu Bielefeld · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 ⭐⭐⭐ - OK or decent reads.
==========================
Unfortunately, this hero wasn't interesting, I think he wasn't a teenager when he was forced to marry someone he didn't want. He chose to be a weak man who bowed to the wishes of others. He conformed to his mother and father's wishes and left the woman he supposedly loved without blinking.
He treated it like a dirty secret from the beginning of the relationship because he was protecting himself from confronting his parents and his community.
The heroine of the previous book has more backbone than he does.
Our heroine went into a depressive spiral and never really recovered, I think she should have moved on and left this weakling in the dust.

[Vintage · Rating 3 out of 5]

After Best Served Cold, I wasn't going to read anymore Alden and then read this. Did not realize it was MA until I finished. Glad I did because I really liked it.

This is one of the rare romances where it is all about the hero but in a different and better way than when the hero makes it all about the hero. Yep, he's kind of a loser as a hero at first, but it's within the normal range of a man who has been raised to think that his needs are more important rather than a soul destroying villain. Despite adoring the h, he uses her as stress relief from his domineering Indian family and their expectations. He hides their relationship for three years then when she withdraws ends up in an arranged marriage. Sounds awesome, doesn't he?

The H is miserable and ends up grateful that his wife cheated on him so he can divorce her. This makes his mother very, very angry as what will people say about them. She even discounts the cheating as an exaggeration. He wants the non-Indian heroine, but he has his evil mother to contend with that's done a lot of damage. My mom would have loved this story and seen the H's mother as the poor put upon victim. Why won't my son listen to MEEEEEE. A story is only as good as its intended audience.

Anyhoo, the hero actually looks back on his past behavior and realizes how dismissive he was to the heroine. He grows a spine and is there for the heroine. The heroine is a little bland in comparison, but no biggie. Secondary characters are his younger brother also in an arranged marriage but a successful one with an Indian woman who does not put up with her MIL's shenanigans.

So yay, a good one.

Google Handsome Indian Man for some ideas of what Tej looks like. There is a lot about the very high expectations from the younger generation to the older generation in the Indian culture. I would love someone to verify how much of this is accurate or not. Interesting to read how the ruthlessness of a domineering mother transcends ethnicities from the Southern Iron Hand in the Velvet Glove, the Jewish Mother, Medea.

[Showarst · Rating 1 out of 5]

Yikes…this was painful. The writing was very confusing. It would switch from present day dialogue/events into past dialogue/events with no clear distinction. Plus, Tej was just an asshole who didn’t really redeem himself. Near the end he was still frustrated with Ariel for being nervous about trusting him. Though I do have to give props to Ariel for not forgiving him in the first two seconds after he apologized. And I also appreciated the fact that she actually had sex with other men during their time apart. Nothing I hate worse than the man sleeping around and the woman remained “pure” during a breakup. The writing was just not for me. I will not be reading any more from this series.

Also hated the multiple references to “monkey sex” 😒

[Aou · Rating 2 out of 5]

At least h was not celibate when H was married to OW!

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Didn’t do it for me

While this third installment was an enjoyable read, I found it didn’t live up to the second book (my favourite of the three). Personally I didn’t feel like Tej earned Ariel’s forgiveness. Their ultimate reunion felt like a case of BBS (body betrayal syndrome) which I found disappointing. As a result, I didn’t buy into their relationship unfortunately. I particularly wished that we’d seen more interaction between Hansa and Tej.

Despite this, it was a good way to bring the series to a close

[Serial Romance Librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is probably my favorite of the series. It had lots of angst. It wasn’t perfect, and overall Tej didn’t really deserve Ariel after all he put her through in their first go at the relationship. I enjoyed it though! This writer’s stories are like crack to me!

[Jenlovestoread7 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve been waiting for Ariel and Tej’s story and as always Maya didn’t disappoint, I loved every minute of it.

Maya’s stories are like a warm hug, they immediately pull you in and make you feel like part of the family.
I liked that Tej could see how his past behaviour had affected Ariel and he took accountability and ownership of it and that Ariel was cautious with her feelings towards Tej.

I can’t wait to see what Maya writes next.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Luana · Rating 2 out of 5]

2,5

"Once upon a time...she let him go. Will he ever forgive her for breaking his heart?" Questa è la frase riportata sulla copertina, una frase che potrebbe un attimo confondere le idee visto che quello che deve chiedere perdono è il male lead, non la protagonista. Mi aspettavo qualcosa di meglio da questo terzo volume della serie (i due precedenti mi erano piaciuti abbastanza), ma purtroppo non ci siamo proprio: la relazione tra Ariel e Tej mi sembra abbastanza problematica. Anzi, entrambe le relazioni mi sembrano abbastanza problematiche, sia la prima che il secondo tentativo. Sì perché, questo è un second-chance romance, trope che, se scritto bene, regala la giusta dose di angst e coinvolgimento emotivo. Tutte cose che qui non ho percepito.
"The One I Want" racconta la storia di Ariel, sorella di Atlas e Orion, e Tej, amico di Atlas e figlio di una importante famiglia di origini indiane. Una famiglia che vive per apparire, per suscitare l'ammirazione altrui, per promuovere la propria reputazione impeccabile - padre avvocato, madre medico, e due figli chiamati a seguire le orme de genitori, che sanno cosa è meglio per loro sia dal punto di vista professionale che sentimentale. In altre parole, Tej e il fratello devono abbassare la testa ed accettare i matrimoni combinati che i genitori organizzano per loro con donne che fanno parte della loro stessa cerchia sociale. Donne nate in America, ma da famiglie indiane. E mammina e papino non accettano no come risposta. Quando Tej si innamora di Ariel, sa benissimo che la cosa non verrà mai accettata dai genitori e così, per i tre anni successivi, decide di mantenere segreta la loro relazione. Il problema è che, per evitare eventuali fughe di notizie, Ariel si ritrova a non raccontare niente ai fratelli. Una relazione in cui non mancava la passione, ma in cui il sesso diventava un mezzo per Tej per sfogare le proprie frustrazioni, un modo per mettere a tacere sul nascere discussioni e confronti. E così, Ariel non può vivere con lui, ma, quando lui se ne va a casa dei genitori, quando va a tutti gli eventi della sua cerchia di conoscenti o quando se ne va agli appuntamenti combinati, la ragazza deve aspettarlo a casa in modo da essere sempre "disponibile". Quando Ariel accenna al suo lavoro dei sogni, a New York, lui dà di matto - la sua carriera ha la precedenza e quindi è lei che si deve adattare. Quando Ariel cerca di ricordargli gli impegni che si è preso con lei, Tej la fa sentire in colpa, etichettandola come la classica persona "clingy" che non capisce la sua situazione familiare e lavorativa. In quel preciso momento della sua vita, Tej è praticamente ossessionato dall'idea di diventare socio di uno studio legale, di raggiungere uno status sociale ed economico di prestigio. Ossessionato dall'opinione altrui. Un genio del male. Trovo allucinante che ci abbia messo qualcosa come otto anni per farsi un esame di coscienza e prendersi la sua responsabilità. Perché sarà stata Ariel a rompere la relazione, con una lettera e dopo aver ricevuto una visita dalla madre di lui (alla faccia del segreto), ma il comportamento di Tej non è stato propriamente senza macchia. A dirla tutta, nemmeno Ariel mi ha fatto una grande impressione: capisco l'amore, però si è fatta trattare come uno zerbino. A me sarebbero venuti dei dubbi fin da subito, quando la costringe a non parlare della loro relazione con i fratelli, ma il resto è pure peggio. Dubbi che sono rimasti anche quando si rimettono insieme per la seconda volta: francamente, non ho percepito alcuna chimica tra i due. Certo, continuano a fare sesso come se non ci fosse un domani, ma, a parte quello, c'è molto poco, se non contiamo le scene super cringe di Tej versione maschio alpha o le lagne infinite di Ariel (e questo mi ha infastidito parecchio perché sia Leisel che Hansa avevano decisamente più carattere).

Gli elementi che più mi sono piaciuti sono due:
- tralasciando per un attimo la parte sentimentale, questo romanzo è una storia di crescita. Entrambi i protagonisti si trovano a un punto di svolta delle loro vite e devono capire cosa fare, ma soprattutto devono imparare a dare maggiore importanza alla loro salute mentale. Ariel è fuggita da New York, dove lavorava come avvocato a supporto di immigrati e richiedenti asilo, con un severo caso di burnout: decide di tornare a casa, il suo porto sicuro, forte del supporto dei fratelli prima e delle cognate poi. Inizialmente non sa bene cosa fare, quel che è certo è non può tornare alla vita di prima. Alla fine, per lei si apriranno le porte dell'azienda di famiglia in qualità di direttrice della sezione marketing - un settore diverso, uno stile di vita meno frenetico, che le permettono di trovare la sua pace e il suo equilibrio. Dopo la rottura con Ariel, Tej accetta il matrimonio combinato che gli hanno organizzato i genitori: sulla carta, un'unione da sogno con una donna bellissima, di successo, ambiziosa. In pratica, un disastro annunciato - due caratteri incompatibili, lui ancora innamorato di un'altra, lei tutta apparenza e zero sostanza. Otto anni infernali in cui Tej, per evitare litigi con la moglie, con i genitori, con chiunque, abbassa la testa e si lascia trascinare dalla corrente. Otto anni in cui finirà per ammazzarsi di lavoro pur di non ritornare a casa da una donna che non tollera e per cui non prova niente. Il momento migliore sarà la scopeta del tradimento di lei, cosa che gli permetterà di intavolare le procedure per il divorzio e di scappare a gambe levate da una situazione che stava diventando insostenibile. Un divorzio che lo porterà a riflettere seriamente sulla sua vita, su cosa è veramente importante, che lo porterà a prendere coscienza dell'atteggiamento allucinante che ha avuto con Ariel, che gli darà la spinta giusta per affrontare a muso duro i genitori (un confronto necessario non solo per via della sua relazione con Ariel, ma anche per la sua pace mentale). Otto anni dopo, Ariel troverà un Tej decisamente cambianto, non più disposto a lavorare 80 ore alla settimana, non più interessato all'opinione altrui, al prestigio della posizione di socio nello studio legale del padre;
- a differenza di quanto accade con i genitori di Hansa che, dopo anni abusi verbali, vengono perdonati abbastanza velocemente, qui la Alden non commette lo stesso errore. I genitori di Tej sono oggettivamente inqualificabili, la madre soprattutto. Questa tizia è un medico e, pur di ottenere i suoi scopi, si permette di accedere alla cartella clinica di Ariel, in barba a tutte le leggi sulla privacy, in modo da poter manipolare una ragazza di 25 anni che aveva appena ricevuto una diagnosi piuttosto grave. Da donna, si è permessa di sminuire una ragazza per il solo fatto di non essere in grado di avere figli. Ah, e pure per il colore della sua pelle. Ariel avrebbe dovuto mandarla a cagare, ma in quel particolare momento di fragilità, e con gli atteggiamenti quantomeno rivedibili di Tej, ha ceduto, convinta di agire per il bene dell'uomo di cui era innamorata. La stessa di madre a cui importa meno di zero della felicità dei figli, che vive di sole apparenze. Il marito è un essere insulso, che le permette di fare quello che vuole senza mai intervenire a favore dei figli. Diciamo che entrambi hanno una mentalità molto chiusa, prigionieri dei loro pregiudizi e di tradizoni che forse andrebbero un pochino riviste. Nel momento in cui capirà che non c'è niente da fare, sarà Tej a prendere la decisione di tagliare i ponti. Inoltre, mi è piaciuto vedere come Ariel abbia deciso di non abbassare la testa di fronte alla donna che le ha rovinato la vita: lei detesta la madre di Tej non ha alcuna intenzione di fare buon viso a cattivo gioco. Brava.

Come detto, tra i tre volumi della serie, questo è quello che ho apprezzato di meno. Peccato perché i due romanzi precedenti, pur con i loro difetti, mi avevano coinvolta di più. Qui invece niente.

[Denice Leong · Rating 4 out of 5]

The last story in the Once Upon A Time series that is focused on Ariel Callahan and Tej Nair. I had been waiting to hear how their story unfolded as their tense relationship had been teased in the prior 2 books. It was worth the wait.

This story depicts the drama with cultural ties as Tej deals with his Indian family and their quest to be of a prestigious social class. Image is everything to them and his parents will go to extremes to protect theirs even it if it costs their son's happiness. To be able to see Tej grow up in the story and stand on his own two feet regardless of family pressure was really enjoyable. Ariel, for her part, also grew up as she figured out what she wanted when she was younger was no longer what she was passionate about careerwise, but also what she was willing to accept in love as a young girl she was able to really push Tej to do better at their second chance at love.

Love the chemistry, both their siblings, and Seraphina was a dream fairy godmother. :) So happy they got their HEA.

[BAG of Books · Rating 3 out of 5]

The H, Tej Nair, is a friend of Atlas from The Temporary Wife. The h, Ariel, is Atlas's sister. Her other brother is Orion from An Ugly Love.

Tej & Ariel met 13 years ago and became friends, then eventually became lovers when Ariel was 22 and Tej was 25. However, his parents wanted him to marry an Indian girl, and he bowed to the pressure and kept their relationship secret, while meeting/dating potential wives in public. Ariel agreed to keep it secret.

They were secret lovers for 3 years, until Ariel broke up with him to take a job with ACLU in New York. He's mad at her for breaking up with him. He felt entitled to have Ariel wait around forever until he was "ready to tell his parents." He also felt entitled to tell her not to move to NY or take the job she wants, even though he won't even date her publicly. When she doesn't wait around, he hates her for it. Some of the reason for that is because he gets his emotional needs met by her being nice to him, not causing any fuss, and being agreeable to everything he wants. He doesn't want to deal with the stress of having to compromise. He's immature and selfish.

So after Ariel leaves, Tej agreed to an arranged marriage to appease his mother, and because he was mad at Ariel for "breaking his heart." I put that in quotes because, what did he expect her to do? Even her own brother wasn't allowed to know about the relationship. It was never going to last. They were going to break up eventually. Although he would tell Ariel he was "trying to find a way out of it," he never actually did anything to get out of it. I can't say he wasn't brokenhearted, but I can say breaking up was inevitable, so he probably shouldn't have been brokenhearted.

She did end up telling Atlas and Orion about the relationship after the fact. Atlas just said he loved them both equally and there was no sides to take. That's why he's still friends with Tej. I was like WTF, she's your SISTER ffs, what do you mean there are no sides??? These people disgust me.

So, Tej married Anjali. They were in a loveless marriage for 7.5 years. He caught her cheating and divorced her. The divorce just finalized. He now lives on a boat in Santa Barbara.

During the 7.5 years that Tej was married, Ariel stayed working for the ACLU in NY. But she got burned out from practicing law, and has recently moved back to work at Atlas's vineyard. Since Tej and Atlas are still friends, Tej & Ariel end up running into each other at the vineyard's restaurant. And that's where the story begins.

Tej tries to make small talk, and says he wants to be friends. (He thinks he's still "in love" with her, but says he wants to be friends.) But Ariel isn't willing to be friends, because of the way he treated her. Also, the last time they saw each other, he had gone to New York to meet his fiancée, and went to Ariel's apartment for a hate fuck, or at least that's how he made it seem. He was very mean about it. She still remembers how that felt. Plus it's been over 7 years since they had any contact. She doesn't feel like Tej is her friend anymore. And she's right, I mean, he was not very friendly.

There's continued OW drama, because even thought he's glad to be divorced, Tej still goes out with Anjali in public so the Indian community will think they are still married. He's still a weakling, while still thinking in his mind that he's "out of fucks to give." He has no self awareness. If he was out of fucks, he wouldn't go out with Anjali, but he seems easily manipulated.

He does go through some character growth, like realizing he shouldn't have tried to control Ariel when she wanted to take her dream job. And that's great and all, but it's been almost 8 years since they've even seen each other, so I don't know why they'd need to get back together.

Of course, this series is based on fairytales. This book is based on the Little Mermaid. So they end up together, because Ariel has an eternal, fairytale-like longing for Tej.

I didn't really like the way it was written. There's a lot of flashbacks. And sometimes there's no indication that it's a flashback, but sometimes there is. It's odd.

[Reelina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maya Alden's "The One I Want" is a poignant and captivating tale of love, sacrifice, and second chances that will linger in your heart long after you've turned the final page. Set against the backdrop of the enchanting wine-country town of Everwood, this angsty second chance romance unfolds like a modern-day fairy tale, with all the twists and turns that keep you spellbound until the very end.

Ariel Callahan and Tej Nair are characters who resonate deeply with readers, their struggles and triumphs mirroring the complexities of real-life relationships. Ariel's unwavering love for Tej, despite the obstacles that stand in their way, is as deep as the ocean itself. Tej, torn between duty and desire, finds himself caught in a web of expectations and obligations, unable to fully embrace the love that has always been within his reach.

As their paths converge once again after years apart, the emotions between Ariel and Tej are raw and palpable, their reunion fraught with resentment and unspoken truths. Yet, amidst the pain and heartache, there is a flicker of hope—a chance for redemption and reconciliation that is as irresistible as it is uncertain.

Maya Alden masterfully weaves together themes of love, loss, and redemption, creating a narrative that is both heartbreaking and uplifting. The lush setting of Everwood, with its sun-kissed vineyards and whispering vines, serves as the perfect backdrop for a story that is as intoxicating as the wine that flows freely within its borders.

But it is not just the setting that enchants; it is the characters themselves who steal the show. From the determined and resilient Ariel to the conflicted and tormented Tej, each character is beautifully drawn, their flaws and vulnerabilities laid bare for all to see.

"The One I Want" is more than just a romance—it is a journey of self-discovery, forgiveness, and ultimately, acceptance. Maya Alden's prose is lyrical and evocative, drawing readers into a world where magic is real and love conquers all.

In conclusion, "The One I Want" is a must-read for anyone who believes in the enduring power of love and the possibility of second chances. Maya Alden has crafted a story that will touch your heart and leave you longing for more.

[Birty · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had real mixed feelings about this book. The "hero" is an a$$ for most of the story, and the heroine is depressed and a bit of a doormat. Both are intelligent, educated people who resist counseling and therapy to help them cope with their personal issues. How can you hope to understand someone else when you don't understand yourself?

Tej is a successful Indian lawyer with close ties to his parents (who are domineering) and the Indian community in California wine country. Instead of following his heart and own desires, he gives in to his parents' demands for his career and wife (arranged). Ariel is white and considered by Tej's parents as an unworthy, unacceptable partner for Tej, even though she is a lawyer, too. Now, I don't know a great deal about the Indian culture in America, but the author paints them as bigots and very narrow-minded. Tej can't seem to rise above any of that for most of his first 30+ years.

Ariel is not much better. She lets her insecurities dictate her life and runs away from her relationship with Tej instead of seeking the help and support of her loving family and friends. After a disaster in her work with illegal immigrants, she returns home, broken and unwilling to share her problems with anyone. When Tej reappears in her life, she is closed to any interaction and reunion. She is just as imprisoned by her doubts and insecurities as Tej.

Characters are never perfect, and these two are a hot mess! I want to see my characters grow, but Tej and Arial seemed to have stumbled more than grown. And the author seems to think that plenty of sex is enough to fix the couple and the story. I was just very disappointed in how this story evolved.

On the plus side, the loving family both characters had in their siblings and others was a bright spot in this story. Both Tej and Arial had plenty of people who loved and cared for them if they had only reached out and taken a hand.

This is book 3 in the Once Upon a Time series by the author.

[Rebmay · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading the first two books in this series, I have been waiting to read this book. Ariel and Tej’s story is one of love, heartbreak and a second chance at a love that neither could forget. It is a story of admitting mistakes, revealing secrets and letting go of the pain from the past in order to build something new and stronger.

Tej and Ariel were secret lovers years ago until she could no longer stand to hold him back from what his family wanted for him or to be his forbidden secret. Tej went on to marry a woman chosen for him by his status conscious and ambitious family. The marriage was not a happy one and Tej finally put an end to the misery. He ids a partner in a law firm, but is no longer sure of his future. The has some decisions to make now that he is finally divorced, but he is also under renewed pressure from his family. Then he comes face to face with the woman he has never forgotten, his Ariel. She has given up a career in New York to return to work with her brothers at the vineyard and winery. She is not the same woman from years before. Ariel is more reserved, quiet and not about to be anyone’s secret anymore. Feeling the old spark between them is one thing, letting the other back into their lives is another. Both cannot forget the heartbreak of the past. Can they open their hearts to each other again? Are they willing to try?

Their story is rather bumpy, filled with chaotic emotions, secrets and self-reflection as well as personal growth. Family dynamics plays a part in their story too. This book is compelling and well worth reading. I would recommend it and the other books in this series to readers who like their romances to be more emotionally complex.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

“They say beauty lies in the eye of the beholder, and this beholder couldn't look away.”

Maya Alden truly has a talent for creating beautiful and heartwarming stories that are inspired by fairytales. The One That I Want is an excellent edition to the Once Upon A Time series. Ariel and Tej’s second chance at love is not a story to miss!

Ariel & Tej have a really complex history. Due to cultural differences, their love was not accepted by Tej’s parents, which ultimately caused a rift in their relationship. Tej, determined to make his family proud, follows the traditional values of his family. He has extreme character growth throughout the book. Towards the middle of the story, he realizes and acknowledges his past mistakes and does everything to win back the woman he loves, including standing up to his family.

Ariel goes through a lot in this book. Readers can tell just how much she loved Tej and how destroyed she was when the relationship ended. She made difficult decisions to protect him and ensure that he was happy. Like Tej, Ariel also experiences growth throughout the book. She has a difficult time allowing Tej back into her life. However, she learns to open up and trust others.

The romance in this book was beautifully written. I especially loved when the characters talked about the past, which helps readers understand exactly what happened between them. Maya did an amazing job with this entire series! I can’t wait to read more of her books!

[Mayra Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

The One I Want: An Angsty Second Chance Romance (Once Upon A Time Book 3) by Maya Alden

Ever since I read The Temporary Wife (book 1) I’ve been really curious about what exactly Ariels and Tej’s story is, I knew whatever it was the wonderful Maya wouldn't disappoint. I love the way Maya immediately pulls you into a story, and makes you feel like you are part of it.
The one I want tells the story of how love deserves a second chance, how sometimes the second time around can be better than the first time. How sometimes people need to grow into who they are meant to be, so they can be with their destiny person.
Ariel and Tej is a story where mistakes are made, but also how the main characters take responsibility for them. The best way to heal is to let go of the pain from the past, and reveal secrets that cause that pain. How after everything has been said, there’s still a chase to rebuild from the ashes. A chance to rebuild a new and stronger love, that would stand against everything and everyone. Like every book I've read from the wonderful Maya, this one does not disappoint. I love how beautiful Ariel and Tej's love story was written. How the main character talks about their past love for weather, and how that gives us an inside to what exactly happened that led to the being separated for so many years, and how that second chance opportunity came to be. This was just an amazon story to read.

[Tishana Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first novel by Maya Alden and not my last!

I went into this a bit blind and this book blew my expectations out of the water.

Maya did an amazing job making relatable characters and how their story could really resonate with the readers who have experienced it. It was a very emotional read, focusing a lot on Tej and Ariel's healing from past hurt and breakups, something I know all too well. I loved that there was accountability for past actions and that they could work through the hurt, admit their faults, and have a second chance at their love with a fresh start. It was a truly captivating read that showed a lot of personal growth and self-reflection. Tej is my favorite character from this book because I really resonated with him and his past. As someone who has always wanted to do what my family wanted me to, I made decisions that wasn't in my best interest and caused a lot of hurt. It takes a lot to say you messed up and hold yourself accountable, and harder to admit that to the person you hurt the most. But his growth from the beginning to the end was amazing to witness.

This was a beautifully emotional read and I will be reading this entire series by Maya now!

[Bookomaniac · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful story of second chances

I loved this story of second chances! The main characters were well developed-- complicated , interesting, and deeply flawed. The MMC is a successful Indian-American lawyer- handsome, well educated and deeply pressured to conform to his parents' expectations. The MFC is white, also a lawyer, from a loving family- owners of a small but famous winery in Southern California. Their first relationship began 10 years before, but his family obligations and her insecurities and infertility issues tore them apart. He succumbed to an arranged marriage with an appropriate Desi wife, and she went to work with the ACLU in New York. Eight years later, he's burned out from the miserable prestige of wife and job; and she's burned out from the heart-breaking work of immigration law. When they meet again at her family's winery, they are older, a little wiser and desperately longing for reconnection. But reconciliation is not easy, and hard truths must be faced. Second chances are only possible with maturity, forgiveness and sacrifice. Great sex also helps ! I enjoyed reading this romance story very much.

[I’m a Paula too… Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

An Indian family can be very prideful…

This is Tej and Ariel’s story. Ariel is part of the family that owns the vineyard. Tej has a family of, shall we say, over achievers. His mother is a doctor and his father is a lawyer. He also has a married brother. The basic idea here is that he and Ariel dated for several years, and then something happened that caused her to leave him. His mother then arranged a marriage for him. Seven years later he is divorced.

This is actually a good story. The family pressures being forced on Tej are similar to those in real life. It was really interesting to read how he dealt with these issues and how utterly awful his parents were. It was fascinating in that car-wreck type of way.

So, a nice ending to the trilogy, with the godmother character playing a mentoring role. She doesn’t actually show up a lot in any of the books, but she is a real guiding light when needed.

KU read, and a cute trilogy for some fairly light reading. I liked it!

[Swetha · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 stars feels generous at this point.

Look I know how Maya Alden's books go. I read them for fun and a good time. But I still expect some kind of redeeming qualities from the men and clarity from the women. All of Maya Alden's men are not the most greenest of flags but I need some real connection between the main characters to root for them at the end.

Tej and Ariel wouldn't work out if this was real life. Even if both of them fix their mistakes, it won't work because they're too passionate. Its like they'll crash and burn any time. There's no stability between them. More than emotional bonding, it felt like they were mostly fueled by lust and physical intimacy.

Tej was an asshole to Ariel in the past and I was so happy that she left him. Now, I get that he's fixing his mistakes but somehow I don't think both of them fit together. The longing that is described between them feels forced and unnatural.

I just didn't vibe with this book or this couple. There was more lust than romance and that kind of relationship is not for me.

[Tina Howell · Rating 5 out of 5]

The One that I Want is book 3 in the Once Upon a Time Series. This book is about Ariel and Tej. This couple goes through a whirlwind of emotions. This books shows how difficult it can been for broken hearts to heal even after many years. This couple fight to get back what they want not just in their relationship but also in their careers. I loved Seraphina in all of the books but I felt her personality really came out in this book. She made me laugh so much! Seraphina, Liesel, Hansa, and Ariel grow so close and are hilarious when they get together. The guys are right there supporting them. I love this book and hope it’s not the last we see of Everwood. I love how the Callahan’s and their friends grow into such a close family. Maya did a great job bringing the characters to life as she always does.

[Shelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, I loved this novel! I have read the other two novels in this series and loved them. This novel did not disappoint. I was so excited to start reading this novel, from the first chapter this novel reached out and grabbed a hold of my heart and I wasn't sure I was going to get it back in one piece. My heart hurt for Ariel and Tej's past history. But I love a novel about second chances and taking accountability for past mistakes and working hard to correct them. I loved Taj and Ariel's story. Their chemistry was off the charts. I loved when a novel just takes over and it is impossible to put down even if this means losing sleep to stay up all night reading. So worth losing sleep over. I loved this novel, it checked all of my boxes. I can hardly wait to see what this author has coming next. So good!

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

The One I Want by Maya Alden was a second chance romance that was full of angst, emotional and heartbreaking and I devoured every word. Their journey was full of obstacles and anguish. Tej and Ariel are drawn to each other and cared for each other deeply, however, Tej’s family had expectations for him kept them apart. Now years later, neither is happy where their lives have gone and suddenly they are face-to-face again. Ariel is not the same woman she was before. Her life is not what she wanted, but she knows what she does not want now. Tej has been unfulfilled in his marriage and work, but where does he go from here? Their second chance was hard fought, but their chemistry was just as strong and undeniable. Can they open their hearts again to each other? This was my first Maya Alden book but definitely not my last.

Happy reading!

[Kari · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can not believe we reached this point! We finally get to find out what happened between Ariel and Tej. How their relationship came to the point that Ariel left and animosity between the both of them grew.

I have always loved LOVED Ariel! She is a very likable character and in her own story I grew to love her more! I love how the women in the series are determined and how they have growth.

Tej... now he was a different story sometimes I wanted to toss the book... well more like my phone to the wall! 😂 I was like how dense can he be!! Even though all that I was able to find out through his POV and it did clear up some things.

I really really enjoyed this and wish we were able get more as some other characters are also grown on me on this series! 🤗

(Thank you for sharing a copy of this book with me! The above are my thoughts and feelings! 🖤)

[Alex E. · Rating 4 out of 5]

He was an asshole throughout their relationship and we understand that from the flashbacks.

I really like Ari and how they navigate.their second chance.
I appreciate the author for not making them have babies. It would have been too close to a Hallmark movie.

I liked the ow drama and that it lasted 8 years and the fact that Ari was with other men during this time. Yeah, take that Tej 😁 it was his time to feel insecure and sad and angry at himself for chosing his parents over the love of his life.

I think what tired me the most is how divine, gorgeous and handsome he was always described to be. And how every woman, even the married sister in laws were salivating and almost dropping their panties at the sight of him...

[Madina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want to say this was my favourite of the series…

I feel like this was my favourite of the series…but I know I loved the 2 previous books just as much.

Ariel and Tej’s story was everything I hoped for and more - there was angst, but there was also so much love.

I often read second chance romance novels where the second time the couple meets, the resistance is so strong you think to yourself “wait, these people actually loved each other once?”. But not here folks. Tej and Ariel’s love for one another is palpable. They can’t resist each other, and they don’t want to.

Absolutely loved this story!

[Gabriele B · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don't understand this author. She wants to write stories where the heroine is a victim, trampled on and suffers a lot, but she keeps trying to include her own ideas, and feminism doesn't fit at all with this type of book. The book is poorly written and they have zero chemistry, like in her other books, but she thinks that if the MMC says he wants the FMC, everything is fine. She doesn't understand that there's a need for chemistry between the characters. She makes me sick talking about transp*bia with kids, like thats a thing, and conservatives are always the villains. What do you gain by alienating part of your audience?

[Tej Saw · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Tej and Ariel. They were so passionate and in love with each other. Neither were happy being apart from each other. The way the author portrayed Tej's parents felt real. I could relate to that.. really felt good seeing that his brother and his wife supported Tej and his decision to be together.. Ariel's hu-rt could be felt. She was such a good person and thankfully the stars aligned and she got her happily ever after, with Seraphina being and continuing to be their fairy God mother!!

Very very beautiful and emotional.. loved it a lot.

[Mel · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was looking forward to this story the most. But then it was not at all what I thought it was going to be. Tej was so irritating and just awful overall. Then, I thought I was hallucinating their relationship background, so I went back and reread the first book. Nope, I was right. The author clearly forgot what their story was. In the first book, they dated for 6 years, and Atlas knew??? In this book, its 3 years all in secret. No one knew and Atlas and Orion didn't know until way after it ended. That continuity really threw me off and not in a good way. Overall, I was just trying to finish.

[Ms. Bhatia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved every book in this series until now

This second chance romance was amazing as it takes you through a journey of tears and drops you into the magical happily ever after that love leaves behind. The strength they gained from their past mistakes, the way tej grovelled for her and how she fought her fears for him was truly amazing. The love story was indeed built on what went wrong but it was the absolutely right way to land in our hearts. Read this book in a go and loved it!