One & Only

by Maurene Goo

In Five Years meets a millennial The Joy Luck Club in the adult debut from the author of YA Reese Pick Throwback— a funny and fresh love story of a woman thrown a curveball by fate, and the family secret that will make her question everything.

She knows what her happily ever after looks like. And it’s not him.

Cassia Park believes in soul mates. Fated love stories. It’s her family business, after all—for centuries, from Korea to Los Angeles, Park women have peered into clients’ past lives to find their one true love, their fated. This magical secret is why One & Only Matchmaking has a 100% guarantee…for everyone but Cassia.

For ten years, Cass has been searching for her fated, a man named Daniel Nam. But he’s still nowhere to be found.

And so, on the eve of her 40th birthday, Cass decides to do something for herself. She impulsively has a fling with Ellis. He’s twenty-eight, indecently handsome, and not destined to be the love of her life. But she’s surprised by their connection and their fling feels like something more—up to the moment he introduces her to his boss…Daniel Nam.

As she battles between fate and chance, head and heart, a family secret is revealed that will make her question everything she’s ever known. Cassia will have to decide if she’ll follow her fate…or make her own.

Genres: Romance, Magical Realism, Contemporary, Adult, Fantasy, Contemporary Romance, Fiction

Kindle Edition

Expected publication February 3, 2026

About the author

Maurene Goo is the critically acclaimed author of young adult novels, including I BELIEVE IN A THING CALLED LOVE and THROWBACK. She's also written for Marvel's Silk series and lives and writes in Los Angeles with her husband, son, and cats.

Reviews

[Meagan (Meagansbookclub) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really nice magical realism romance. A wonderful main character and lots of fun side characters. I think the idea of a soulmate is fascinating so I was really into where this story was gonna go!

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a beautiful rom-com! Surely to be a big hit once released in 2026.

This is how you write an adult romance and one of the best romance books I've read in awhile! Finally, a FMC I can relate to: Asian woman in her 40s navigating life.

One & Only by Maurene Goo is a warm, heartfelt love story that feels both intimate and universal. It makes you consider the idea of fate, especially when expectations begin to blur with real life.

Cassia Park works in her family’s long-running matchmaking business, a tradition built on certainty and an impressive record of success. This is where the magical realism takes place: the family has the ability to jump into past timelines to see who someone’s true love is. But who is Cassia’s one true love?

For years, Cassia has known the name of the person she is supposedly meant to love, even though she has never met him. Love has always felt predetermined to her, until an unexpected bike accident introduces Ellis into her life. He stays with her, calls for help, and keeps her company when she needs it most. For Ellis, the connection is instant. For Cassia, it is much more complicated. The chemistry is undeniable, but she believes her future is already mapped out.

This novel explores love in all its messy and beautiful forms. It looks at the pressure of expectations, the risk of missing what is right in front of you, and the freedom that comes from letting go of perfection. And truly, Ellis is impossible not to love. I fell for him just as much as I fell for this story.

While there is a touch of magical realism in it, it veers towards Cassia's newfound love and Korean culture. One & Only It is filled with humor, emotional moments, family history, and cultural elements, all woven into a story about choosing what you want rather than what is expected of you. Cassia’s journey from believing completely in destiny to realizing she might have a choice of her own is refreshing and relatable. I cannot wait to read more from Goo!

Thank you to Maurene Goo, Putnam Publishing, and NetGalley for the ARC.

[Michelle’s Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was so excited that Maureen Goo went to adult novels because I loved her YA books so much. The story was great and I loved the face reading and the past lives. The romance was so messy like I had so much second hand embarrassment at the shit she was doing but like I get it.

[Lochi's Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

Someone call Celine Song and Greta Lee, because One and Only by Maureen Goo is practically begging for a screen adaptation. This book has all the makings of a feel-good rom-com. It's snappy, fresh, and delivered with culture and heart.

Cassia, approaching her 40th birthday, is a matchmaker working at One & Only, her family’s face-reading matchmaking service. Since her grandmother once read her face and declared her fate match to be someone named Daniel, Cassia has been searching for him ever since. But just as time begins to slip away, she meets Ellis, a carefree, charming 28-year-old who completely sweeps her off her feet. Honey, the twist? Ellis's boss is none other than Daniel, her long-waited match.

It’s been a while since I’ve read a compelling love triangle, and this is my first time diving into a Maureen Goo novel but it certainly won’t be my last. The book leans heavily into the territory of film Materialist, but where that film sparked mixed reactions (we all know Pedro's character was the choice, let's be real), One and Only offers a more grounded, emotionally satisfying experience... until the ending.

Personally, I was rooting for Cassia and Daniel. I craved that classic, magnetic romantic arc that felt more aligned with her journey. While Ellis was sweet and well-meaning, his character felt like the story was working overtime to mature him, and the age-gap just didn’t sit right with me. For some readers, the dynamic might work, but I found myself wanting more from that fate-driven connection. That said, this was still such a pleasure to read. Fast-paced and full of cultural texture. Even if the ending didn’t land for me, the ride was worth it.

Thank you so much Putnam Books for the digital arc.

[Vans · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't tell you how refreshing it is to get an advanced reading copy of a romance novel where the protagonist is not 20-24 years old, bright eyed and bushy tailed, new to love and willing to accept everything that comes their way.

Cassia is not that and I love her for it. With her 40th birthday rapidly approaching and her one true love nowhere to be found, Cassia's beginning to wonder if she's going to end up alone. The family business, after all, rides on finding people their One & Only, and she is determined not to end up like her mom, who bucked the matchmaking trend and ended up alone.

Cassia's journey to find her soulmate has heartbreak, reconciliation, family drama, hot younger dudes, the best friend you could ever hope for, evil swan boats, a cursed cockatoo, and of course...a happy ending. What an adorable read.

Thanks so much to the author, publisher, and Netgalley for allowing me to read this.

[Mai H.]

ANHPI TBR

📱 Thank you to NetGalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons

[Kasee Baldwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, I looooooved this.

Maurene Goo’s adult debut features a story about Cassia, who not only believes in soulmates, but sells them. Her multi-generational family business matchmakes clients with their “fated” by looking into their past lives. Cassia knows the name of her own fated, but has yet to find him. Enter Ellis. He’s not her match, and yet, she can’t deny their chemistry. So when she DOES meet her fated, she has to contend with following her fate…or making her own. Throw in long-held family secrets, an age-gap romance, and a bit of magical realism, and you get a book that is so unique, so romantic, and so compulsively readable, you’ll have finished in only a few sittings.

A book I would absolutely recommend and re-read. Swoony and charming AF.

Thank you to Putnam and NetGalley for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest, unbiased review.

[Megan Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was charming, romantic and magical and I loved every minute of it. The author's writing drew me in from the start, and I couldn't put it down. My two least favorite tropes are love triangles and age gap...and this had both. The fact that I loved it anyway is definitely a testament to how wonderful the story was.

I fell in love with Ellis right from the start. He was truly a perfect cinnamon roll MMC. Caring, considerate, yearning. And he and Cassia had such sparkling chemistry! But then she met Daniel, the man she was fated to be with...and I loved him too! He was mature, handsome, sweet and loving and so besotted with Cassia.

I had a preference between the two of them of course, but I honestly wasn't sure how this would end and that kept me turning the pages. I don't even want to say a thing about the ending or my feelings about it because I don't want to give anything away!

I loved that Cassia was 40 in this one because truly it makes me happy to read about characters closer to my own age once in a while. The only thing that kept this from being a 5 star was that the middle dragged on a little and then I felt like the ending was rushed. But it was truly a beautiful book and I absolutely adored it!

Thank you Putnam books for sending me a gifted copy!

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ My review: I was drawn into this book from page one. Cassia is smart, driven and loves her work. She uses an ancient family gift to read people and their past lives and make a match with their fated love. It's a little magical, and a lot romantic. The problem is she can't find her fated love. She knows his name (Daniel) and has been looking for him for a decade.
When Daniel does show up it's awkward. He is Ellis's (her much younger fling) boss! But Cassia is determined and she has the support of her family and best friend to make this work. But is fate always the way? The concepts of true love, fate, agency, and family secrets keep this tale moving along. Cassia is a little magical, living in a high power modern world. Can you find the one meant for you when social media, friends, romance, and chance may be in the way?? Is fate real? Is chance more important?
Cassia knows what she wants and what her family wants, but what do you do when things (or people) jump in the way? Cassia is assured and strong but not stubborn enough to push aside questions and "what ifs".
I was all in on this tale from the beginning, a great romantic trip!

Thank you to NetGalley and Putnam's Sons Publishers
for an advance digital copy in exchange for my review.

[Jessica Barhight · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️RATING 4.5⭐️

This book was AMAZING! I barely wanted to put it down and drug out reading the ending for as long as I possibly could. That’s how much I didn’t want the story to end. I’d even petition for a Part 2.❤️

So what is this book about? So much, but I’ll do my best to summarize. Our main female character, Cassia Park, works in the family business of matchmaking. Her and her female relatives use the art of face reading to find someone’s “fated” love with a magical twist.

Cassia has known the identity of her “fated” love for 10 years, but he’s MIA. On the cusp of turning 40 (big thumbs up for this representation), she has a chance encounter with Ellis. He’s not her “fated”, but he’s the total package (and only 28 😱).

Should Cassia explore a romantic relationship with Ellis or hold out for her “fated” who’s much closer than she thinks? A wild ride ensues, one that is full of love, loss, family, friendship, and old secrets revealed.

This isn’t your typical rom-com. It goes much deeper. You’ll definitely laugh. You just might cry. You won’t want to miss it!

I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley, but I am voluntarily writing this review.

[Leslie Ann (lalasbookishlife) · Rating 5 out of 5]

As soon as I read the synopsis for One and Only by Maurene Goo, I was immediately intrigued. I was also slightly worried it wouldn’t live up to the hype I had created in my mind, but it was everything I wanted it to be, albeit slightly different than I thought…

I would categorize this as women’s fiction with a heavy focus on romance, but it’s not strictly a romance. It deals with other issues and themes, which I really loved and appreciated.

This book reminded me of an old Jude Deveraux book I would read in high school. I loooove a good fated loves & past lives story. WE NEED MORE OF THESE!

I’m not always the biggest fan of a love triangle and almost always I will know who I’m rooting for early on and never sway, but I gotta admit I jumped ship with this one. I won’t say anymore on this matter because I don’t want to spoil it! 🤐🤫

That epilogue?! Swooning!

If you love Ashley Poston’s books, you’ll adore this story. I cannot recommend it enough. 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ LOVED!

Thanks so much for the early copy, @putnambooks (partner) Release Date: 2/3/26

[Lyon.Brit.andthebookshelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Report: One and Only by Maurene Goo

Cassia Park has always believed in soulmates. It’s literally the family business. For generations…the women in her family have matched clients with their fated loves…except Cassia still hasn’t found hers. On the cusp of 40 she finally chooses herself and has a no strings fling with Ellis only to discover he’s connected to the very man she’s been waiting for all along.

Cue fate vs. free will…heart vs. head and one love triangle that kept me fully invested. This was such a fun unique rom-com with a touch of magical realism. If the word soulmates makes your heart flutter…this one will absolutely capture you 💫 I loved the lively side characters the memorable family business and an epilogue that left me smiling (and still thinking about it). There was only one person I was rooting for the entire time and I never wavered.

Perfect for fans of Ashley Poston and Sophie Cousens 💕✨

Thank you G.P Putnam’s Sons for the ecopy!

Releases 2/3

Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Lyon.brit.A...

[Jen Deezy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was utterly charming. Cassia has a special gift: to turn back the fabric of time to see people's one true fated mate. She is now on the cusp of turning 40 & having known her fated mates name, for almost 10 years but unable to find him, she's gotten a little antsy. Enter Ellis, who is most definitely in his 20s, incredibly sweet & charming & she is most definitely drawn to him, however he is most definitely not her fated mate. I don't want to say too much because watching this one unfold was just magical & a fun ride but it is full of sweet tender moments, dealing with some grief & loss and a lot of learning who you are & who you truly want to be. I really enjoyed this one & would highly recommend it to anyone who likes romances with a touch of magic in them. You won't be disappointed.





huge thanks to Netgalley for an e-arc of this one. all thoughts & opinions are my own.

[Amy]

Can't say that plot really grabs my attention, but it is Maurene Goo. If she writes it, I'll read it.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute, charming, great chemistry and a main character who is absolutely loveable. This was romantic, sweet and funny with a smidge of magical realism. Cassia was strong, determined and the story was perfectly swoon worthy.


Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced ebook in exchange for my honest thoughts and opinions.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

One & Only by Maurene Goo made me put the book down halfway through, stare into the middle distance, and seriously question whether I believe in fate or if I just like the aesthetic of it.
Published by Putnam | G.P. Putnam’s Sons, thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for my gifted ARC.

This book is cozy in the way that honesty is cozy, uncomfortable at first, then deeply reassuring once you settle into it. Cassia Park is turning forty, which in romance novel years is practically ancient, and I loved that the story never pretends otherwise. She’s successful, loved, financially stable, and still quietly panicking that the one thing she was promised hasn’t arrived. Cassia believes in soulmates because her family business literally depends on them. Generations of Park women can read faces and past lives to find “the one.” Everyone gets their happily ever after. Except Cassia. That irony alone could’ve carried the novel, but Goo goes further and asks the harder question: what happens when the story you were told stops fitting the life you’re living?

The magical realism is gentle and grounded. It doesn’t feel gimmicky or overly explained. It just exists, like family traditions often do. I loved how deeply rooted the matchmaking lore felt in culture, grief, and legacy, especially the quiet ache surrounding Cassia’s mother. This isn’t just a romance. It’s a book about inherited expectations and how heavy they can be, even when they’re wrapped in love.

And yes, there is a love triangle, but it’s one of the rare ones that actually works. Not because it’s shocking, but because both options make sense. Ellis is warmth and spontaneity and the permission to want something now. Daniel is stability and history and the comfort of destiny finally showing up. Cassia’s indecision didn’t frustrate me. It felt honest. Life-changing decisions rarely come with clarity and confetti.

What really sold this for me was the voice. The humor is dry, observant, and very millennial in a way that feels earned rather than try-hard. Los Angeles isn’t just a backdrop, it’s part of Cassia’s emotional ecosystem. The hikes, the plants, the city sprawl, it all mirrors her internal push and pull between staying rooted and wanting to run.

This book is about love, yes, but also about agency. About realizing that being chosen by fate isn’t the same thing as choosing yourself. About understanding that wanting more doesn’t mean you’re ungrateful for what you already have.

“There’s a difference between what’s meant for you and what you’re brave enough to want.”

One & Only is warm, funny, and quietly devastating in the best way. It doesn’t rush its emotional beats, and it doesn’t flinch from the messiness of adulthood. It made me feel seen, slightly called out, and strangely comforted all at once. I’ll be thinking about Cassia for a long time.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½

#OneOnly #MaureneGoo #BookReview #RomanceBooks #WomensFiction #MagicalRealism #NetGalley #PutnamBooks #ARCReview #MidlifeRomance #BooksAboutFate #ContemporaryRomance
Come back to your Review on th

[☆Laura☆]

Cassia Park ha crecido rodeada de tradición, magia y responsabilidad. Como parte de la familia Park, dirige One & Only, la agencia de matchmaking más exclusiva de Los Ángeles, donde generación tras generación han unido parejas destinadas a encontrarse gracias a un antiguo don transmitido entre las mujeres de su familia: la capacidad de ver las vidas pasadas y descubrir el nombre de la persona que está escrita en tu destino.

El suyo, desde hace diez años, está marcado: Daniel Nam. Sin embargo, por más que lo han buscado, nunca han logrado dar con él. Con casi cuarenta años y la presión de ser la última heredera del don, Cassia siente que el tiempo se le escapa… hasta que aparece Ellis, un joven arquitecto paisajista que irrumpe en su vida con frescura, dulzura y una conexión inmediata que la hace sentir verdaderamente feliz por primera vez.

Pero cuando Daniel finalmente aparece, todo se complica. Cassia queda atrapada entre la pasión inesperada que siente por Ellis y el lazo inevitable con Daniel, su “fated”. ¿Debe elegir al hombre que siempre estuvo escrito en su destino o al que conquistó su corazón sin necesidad de hilos rojos ni magia ancestral?


___



Sabia desde el principio que sería un triángulo amoroso, pero esperaba que se manejara de otra manera. Pensé que cuando Cassia conociera a Daniel se daría cuenta de que no sentía nada por él, y aun así intentaría que funcionara por ser su predestinado, mientras no lograba sacar a Ellis de su cabeza. Tristemente no fue así: Cassia estaba feliz con Ellis, pero al conocer a Daniel no dudó en dejarlo para irse con el otro. Además, cuando Cassia y Daniel se conocieron ambos sintieron de inmediato una conexión, lo que volvió poco creíble el final, donde Cassia afirma seguir sintiendo algo por Ellis. Estaba tan feliz con Daniel, ¿por qué solo se acordó de Ellis hasta volver a verlo?
Las escenas de celos tampoco me convencieron, porque no reflejaban amor real hacia Ellis, sino el egocentrismo de Cassia, que parecía esperar que él quedara llorándole… y lamentablemente así fue ya que la chica solo era una amiga. Tampoco me gustaron los comentarios de Cassia sobre la amiga de Ellis, pues ella fue quien lo dejó y se fue con el otro.

Daniel, por su parte, también me resultó nefasto: no solo ocupaba una posición de poder sobre Ellis, sino que aun así coqueteó con Cassia cuando ella seguía con él y según eran amigos. Con esa clase de amigos no se necesitan enemigos.

Si no fuera porque Daniel no estaba seguro de querer tener hijos, Cassia se habría quedado con él y Ellis solo sería un recuerdo.

Cassia y Daniel eran perfectos juntos, mientras que Ellis merecía algo mejor.

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.

[Nadine in NY Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

“This is our family secret. We don’t just read faces, we can see past lives. And in these past lives, we can find past loves.”

My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this early review copy.

A grown up love triangle!!   This was so charming.  I happen to LOVE love triangles, so I was into it.  This one has got a whiff of magical realism, since the female protagonist, and her family, are all able to see people's past lives by reading faces.  They run a match-making company, the idea is that they find who you loved in the past, and this is your "fated" whom you will also be drawn to in the present.

I've loved Goo's YA novels, so I was excited to see what she would write for adults.  And the great writing and lovable characters are all still there, but sometimes it felt a little ... fussy.  Like it was trying too hard to be grown up.  I could tell right away which man Cassia would end up with, because he was the one that Goo wrote with passion:

I didn’t think it would be this good. He kisses me like it’s been his life’s singular purpose.

(I know I’m not supposed to quote ARCs but that line was too good to leave out.)
  
And the other guy was described as being super handsome and charming and great, but I got the distinct impression that Goo was bored by him and just doing her best to convince us that he was great, when her heart really was with the "final choice guy."  I'm not naming any names here, so none of this is a spoiler.  Read it yourself and see if you can also pick out which guy Goo truly loves!  

The epilogue adds a little past life spin to explain why Cassia fell in love with "final choice guy."

One other small complaint:  The Echo Park Lake swan boat scene bugged me, because (a) what kind of ninny knowingly takes a child who cannot swim on a boat ride and does not have them wear a life jacket???  and (b) life jackets are actually REQUIRED to rent and ride the swan boats at Echo Park Lake (I googled to check).   Obviously Goo was trying to create yet another scene where Ellis’s help was indispensable, but this scene made no sense.  Perhaps it will be revised prior to publication.

words I looked up:
Pet nat - a naturally sparkling wine 
beach entry pool - a book with a gradual slope instead of steps
Game of Thrones theme song - I’ve never watched the show! When the theme song was used at a wedding in the book, I was curious to listen to it.

4.5 stars rounded up to 5

[Leslie at SheReadsRomanceBooks.com · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maurene Goo totally swept me up in this romance filled with a magical family gift, a torturous love triangle, and a really cool heroine that I was rooting to make the right choice.

I one-clicked this book so fast after reading the book summary because I was instantly hooked by the premise of this story.  A secret matchmaking ability that dives into people’s past lives? Super cool. An older heroine for the story? Yes, please! A love triangle that is hella awkward given the two guys are coworkers and friends? Oh, yes!

But what hooked me from the very first chapter was Goo’s incredible writing. I LOVE books that you just know are going to be so good from the quality of the writing that’s evident from the very first page. This was my first book by Goo and I cannot wait to read more!

This book absolutely hinges on the insane chemistry between Cassia and Ellis. They had one weekend together, and I was shipping them so hard. But what about Daniel – her fated love? Goo wrote him just as perfectly in that you can see Cass being happy with him and yet his differences from Ellis maybe make you question him, maybe root for him?

It’s a great love triangle romance when you can truly see the heroine loving both men, but I can see how readers who don’t like this trope might not like how some things go down along the way. Me, I was all in on the ride.

Not only did I love both men, but I loved Cassia. Goo writes an “older” heroine who just turns 40, which I LOVED and made her sexy and smart and fun! Her friendship with Mar is what everyone wants in their life and I liked the dynamic with her family, the business, and her backstory with her parents.

My #1 pick for her was evident from the start because I loved everything about his interaction with Cass from the moment they met. The epilogue tied things in really nicely too in a unique way.

I highly recommend this book and cannot wait to see what Goo writes next!

*I received an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

[vlm · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½ (4.5 stars)

One & Only by Maurene Goo marks a vibrant and heartfelt adult debut from an author already known for her sharp voice and emotional insight. Blending a touch of magical realism with contemporary romance, this story follows Cassia Park, whose family has spent generations matching people with their destined soul mates—except, ironically, Cassia herself.

As Cassia approaches forty without finding her own “fated,” the tension between destiny and choice becomes the emotional heart of the novel. Goo excels at portraying the weight of family expectations and the quiet fear of building a life around promises that may never come true. Cassia’s journey feels honest, messy, and deeply human.

What makes One & Only especially engaging is its balance of humor and poignancy. The story feels modern and emotionally grounded while still honoring generational bonds and inherited beliefs. Cassia is a wonderfully layered protagonist—skeptical yet hopeful, guarded yet yearning—and her internal struggle gives the novel its depth. The romance unfolds in unexpected ways, challenging the idea that love must follow a predetermined path.

Goo’s writing is witty, warm, and emotionally resonant, with moments that genuinely made me laugh and others that quietly tugged at the heart. The pacing allows both the romance and family revelations to unfold naturally, and the story would translate beautifully into a K-drama.

Overall, One & Only is a funny, sad, and thoughtful exploration of love, fate, and self-determination. It’s a truly good book that stays with you after the final page.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and Maurene Goo for the opportunity to read this wonderful e-ARC.

[Nathalie Najibi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay guyss, let’s talk about One & Only by Maurene Goo, because this book gave me all the flirty, fun, romcom vibes while also sneaking in depth, culture, and some really swoony chemistry. Goo has such a knack for writing characters who feel like actual people you’d want to be friends with, and this one was no exception.

The setup: Our FMC is witty, independent, and a little cynical about love, but of course life throws her a curveball in the form of the MMC, charming, layered, and totally not the “perfect match” she thought she needed. Their worlds collide (in very Goo fashion) with humor, banter, and just enough awkwardness to make it feel real. From there, the book dives into self-discovery, romance, and the messy process of figuring out what you actually want instead of what you think you’re supposed to want.

What I loved most, though, is how Goo grounds the romcom vibes with depth. She weaves in themes of identity, family expectations, and cultural nuance in a way that doesn’t feel heavy-handed, but adds richness to the story. It’s not just about romance, it’s about finding yourself and figuring out what love really means when you strip away the Instagram-filter version of it.

The writing is fast-paced and engaging, witty dialogue, fun scenes, and that breezy-yet-thoughtful tone Goo does so well. It feels like watching a Netflix romcom, but one where you also get insight into the characters’ vulnerabilities and struggles.

Final thoughts: One & Only is fun, romantic, and heartfelt, with just the right amount of depth to make it memorable.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading a new author and absolutely loving what they wrote is one of my favorite things about reading and this book was just that for me! Thank you to NetGalley and Putnam Books for this ARC!

Cassia's 40th birthday is quickly approaching. She's going into this birthday with it all! The perfect home, the absolute best bff, a large family who loves her, and a career she loves. But she's still missing her One and Only, her fated. Fortunately for her (or unfortunately?) she knows his name and has for the past 10 years, she's just yet to find him. Surely once she meets him, her entire life and future will fall into place like the missing puzzle piece. Right?

Spoilers possibly:
I had no idea what to expect from this book, and this was better than I could have wanted! I loved the touch of magical realism and enjoyed hearing the story created surrounding Cassia and her ancestral history. The two MMCs were both near perfect book boyfriends and the author did such a good job and making you root for one then the other then maybe back to the one? I didn't think there was any toxicity in this entire book between any relationships and that's so hard now in romance novels. There's almost always someone who sucks at communicating or someone who's just a walking red flag. Also as someone in her 30s, reading a romance from the FMC's POV and her to not be a 23 year old who's already given up on love was refreshing. The humor was wonderful, I laughed out loud several times. Her best friend sounded so fun, her family was a hoot, I loved this book start to finish. I even waited a few days to review so I didn't come in too hot thinking maybe I'd mellow out with how much I enjoyed it. NOPE!

[Renae · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to the Publisher and NetGalley for the chance to read and review this ARC.

What if you could know, without a doubt, who your soulmate was? It sounds comforting—almost merciful. For Cassia Park, it’s simply life. Descended from generations of Korean women who can read faces and see love written in fate, Cassia is part of the family behind Los Angeles’s most renowned matchmaking agency. Destiny isn’t a mystery in her world; it’s an expectation.

Nearly forty and still unmarried, Cassia carries the quiet ache of disappointment—her own and her family’s. For ten years, she has believed she knows who she is meant to be with, the man her fate has already chosen. But when she meets someone else, someone she knows with painful certainty is not her soulmate, everything begins to unravel. What happens when love shows up where it isn’t supposed to? And is choosing happiness worth the risk of breaking from tradition, culture, and the family who sacrificed everything to raise her after her mother’s death?

Tender, magical, and deeply human, this novel explores grief, obligation, and the courage it takes to choose yourself. The soft fairytale quality of seeing past loves in a person’s face only heightens the emotional stakes, making Cassia’s choice feel impossibly heavy. I devoured this book, heart aching and hopeful in equal measure. With her stunning transition into adult fiction, Maurene Goo delivers a story that lingers long after the final page—a love story that asks whether fate is something we inherit, or something we dare to rewrite.

[LM · Rating 5 out of 5]

One & Only by Maurene Goo is a surprisingly sweet, deeply universal love story—one that tugs at your heart and gently nudges you into believing in fate, if only you’re willing to loosen your grip on expectations.

Cassia Park works for her family’s long-standing, traditional matchmaking service, a business built on the promise of a flawless success rate. For over a decade, Cassia has known the name of her “fated” love—yet she’s never been able to find him. Then one ordinary day, a bike accident brings an unexpected stranger into her life. Ellis calls 911, stays with her, and keeps her calm. For him, it’s love at first sight. For Cassia—despite their undeniable chemistry—her heart feels bound by destiny, because she already knows the name of her true love… and it’s not Ellis.

Or so she thinks.

When Cassia later meets Ellis’s boss, she’s stunned to discover his name is Daniel Nam—the very person she’s been waiting for all these years.

This novel is about love in all its messy, beautiful complexity. It explores the expectations we attach to love, the danger of overlooking what’s right in front of us, and the freedom that comes with letting go of perfection and allowing life to unfold naturally. And truly—how can you not fall in love with Ellis? I did. I also fell completely in love with this book.

A wholehearted, enthusiastic hell yes from me.

Thank you so much to Maurene Goo, Putnam Publishing, and NetGalley for the ARC.

[Janine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute romance with a touch of magical realism. Perfect for a cozy snowy day or beach read. And, this is the author’s debut adult novel. Well done!

One & Only bills itself as being able to match you to your own one true love, the one you are fated to be with. This is done by a unique process of face reading (explained in the book) which the Parks women have been able to do for hundreds of years from their roots in Korea to Los Angeles today. This where we meet Cassia Park who herself has been fated and for the last ten years has been looking for Daniel Nam. Instead she meets Ellis Yang-Cohen but lo! and behold! his boss is Daniel Nam. What follows is a love rivalry - very cleverly done! You have to read the book to find out who wins.

What I love about Asian romances are the families. They are so filled with gossips, interferers, zany humor and family love. This book has a bunch of elderly relatives and friends who fill the pages with their laughter and a tinge of bittersweet sadness. I gave a similar book a few years back to my Vietnamese hair stylist. She remarked after reading the book (the characters were Vietnamese) how true the characters were to her culture. I think that’s important for authenticity of characters if you are writing a book in this milieu. The author has done this well.

I enjoyed reading this book. It has heart and angst and the pages are filled with genuine warmth. The romance isn’t too steamy because the book is less about that snd more about finding out what true love is.

I’d like to thank NetGalley and G.P. Putnam and Sons for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC.
#One&Only
#MaureneGoo
#GPPutnamandSons

[Rachel Regal · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫✨

📖 In a sentence: Forty-year-old matchmaker Cassia, who can see people’s fated loves through past lives, is caught between a surprise, real-world romance with much-younger Ellis and her long-searched-for fate, Daniel.

👀 What kept me turning the pages: The originality. It took me about a quarter to halfway to really click with it, but once it did, I was invested in seeing how everything would land.

🔥 What stood out: The fresh premise and well-done magical realism, the Korean cultural touches, and the full supporting cast- Cass’s best friend, her kids, extended family, and yes, Betty the bird. I loved the slow-burn magnetism and longing between Cass and one of the men (no spoilers), plus the exploration of fate versus choice and how Cass’s perspective shifts over time. I could totally see this as a rom-com adaptation on screen as well.

⚠️ What didn’t quite land: The writing felt a bit choppy at times (personal preference), and the way two of the love-triangle characters were so closely entwined felt more uncomfortable than tension-raising.

🎯 Recommendation: A great pick for romance readers wanting a fresh rom-com twist with light magical realism. I think most romance fans will really enjoy this, and it could easily be a breakout moment for the author if it gains traction on social media.

Thank you to NetGalley and Putnam for an advanced digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

maurene goo’s debut adult novel, one & only, introduces us to cassia, a woman teetering on the edge of 40, who works as a matchmaker in LA. her family’s matchmaking business goes back generations with the women in the family having the gift of face reading, allowing them to pair fated lovers from centuries ago in today’s world. cassia was given the name of her fated love on her 30th birthday and she’s been searching for him ever since. the pressure is ramping up, especially since she’s hoping to have a daughter to continue the family’s gift. follow along as cassia finds her fated, learns the truth about her parents, continues working through the grief of losing her mom at the age of eight, and navigates her multi-generational korean family (and all of their big personalities!). cassia has a lot of love around her…will she end up with a perfect (romantic) love, too?

i really enjoyed the magical realism aspect of the story. the integration of nature (joshua tree, the river restoration project, betty!) was really beautiful, as well. mostly, i loved watching cassia grow into her own woman, while still respecting her family’s culture and traditions. a wonderful romance for those who enjoy a female main character that is no longer a carefree twenty-something!

thank you to putnam books for providing this book for review consideration via netgalley. all opinions are my own.

[Hannah Winegar]

I liked it because it cannot be stated enough that I adore Maurene Goo.

Cassia is interwoven in her family business, and cannot get out because she's literally the only hope for its future. Every woman in her family has the ability to read someone, and a magical thread spells out the name of that person's soulmate (I think. I'm still a little iffy on how it works, but it's a more minor plot point, in my opinion). As someone coming up on their first dating anniversary with their first serious partner, I swooned. I'm feeling sentimental. The family connections are also charming.

And then I got to the 75% plot twist. Stop reading if you don't want spoilers. For real.

Cheating in any way, shape, or form is an immediate DNF for me. Especially when its discovery leads to people physically fighting. Yes I know the "touch her and die" big, burly sports man fight-y thing is in, and I hate that. That's not what gets me going in the morning. So the one-two punch of that made me set the book aside. And it SUCKS because as I mentioned before, I adore Maurene Goo, and the book was gorgeous until that part.

[Abena · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a fun, immersive read. The magical realism instantly pulled me into the world.

Cassia, the female main character who works her family’s matchmaking business, is turning 40 and has been waiting over a decade to meet her “fated". She’s funny, independent, and complex, so you instantly feel connected to her.

The love story and love triangle are so well done. Daniel (the man she’s fated to be with) and Ellis (the younger man she’s instantly drawn to) are both compelling love interests. Even though you can guess who she ends up with, the story succeeds in making you genuinely feel positive about both options. It’s rare to read a book where you truly believe Cassia could be happy with either person.

I loved the cultural touchpoints throughout the novel. Cassia’s Korean identity is woven into the story in a way that feels natural and meaningful. Her relationship with her close-knit Korean family, the lasting impact of her mother’s untimely death, the absence of her father, and the guilt she carries all add real emotional depth to the story.


*Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review*

[Sheri P · Rating 5 out of 5]

When a favorite author gushes about a book, it definitely captures my attention. So when Katherine Center raved about this one, I was excited to be approved to read a NetGalley arc of One & Only.
This is such a delightful read. Cassia is a forty year old woman who works for her family business in matchmaking. I loved the matchmaking aspect with its magical realism and people finding a fated mate.
When Cassia meets Ellis she knows he’s not her fated, but somehow he keeps showing up in her life at the most significant times. As the story unfolds Cassia wrestles with the choice of her fated “one” but her heart keeps being drawn back to another.
I don’t typically enjoy the idea of love-triangles, but this one was so well done at times I really didn’t know who Cass should choose. I loved the huge cast of characters, especially Cassia’s best friend and her boisterous loving family.
Some books are so special that when you finish them it's like being released from a big warm hug-this is one of those.
Thank you to the publisher for the opportunity to read an early copy, all thoughts and opinions are my own.