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One
Fast cars, motorcycles, and one-night-stands have been Mac’s life since she left the military. Bitter over a lost love and never one to gamble, she ends potential relationships with surgical precision to avoid another heartache. After her flight to Italy is delayed by a wicked storm she intervenes when a drunk passenger threatens the desk agent.
Impressed with her courage, fellow passenger Lana Baroni offers to buy her a drink. One coffee and an upgrade later, they spend the fight to Italy talking cars and racing. When a site-seeing date with Lana turns into an afternoon tryst, Mac has to choose: hit the brakes, or roll the throttle and risk everything to win Lana’s love.
Words: 61,600
Cover Artist: Natasha Snow
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Tags: BDSM, contemporary, ex-military, Italy, PTSD, romance, sports, vacation
Impressed with her courage, fellow passenger Lana Baroni offers to buy her a drink. One coffee and an upgrade later, they spend the fight to Italy talking cars and racing. When a site-seeing date with Lana turns into an afternoon tryst, Mac has to choose: hit the brakes, or roll the throttle and risk everything to win Lana’s love.
Words: 61,600
Cover Artist: Natasha Snow
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Tags: BDSM, contemporary, ex-military, Italy, PTSD, romance, sports, vacation
187 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 6, 2017
6 people are currently reading
112 people want to read
About the author
Brenda Murphy
27 books92 followersBrenda Murphy writes short fiction and novels. She loves tattoos and sideshows and yes, those are her monkeys. When she is not swilling gallons of hot tea and writing, she wrangles two kids, two dogs, and one unrepentant parrot. She reviews books, blogs about life as a writer with ADHD and publishes photographs on her blog Writing While Distracted.
Librarian note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Librarian note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
October 18, 2022
**'Sometimes not the entire story is worth a reader's patience, it's those small parts that can be tolerable enough for self-indulgence to make the entire storyline good..'
Reasonable read!
Not the best but still readable... -- with a beautiful cover.
Reasonable read!
Not the best but still readable... -- with a beautiful cover.
October 10, 2021
Mac and Lana meet in an airport lounge and bond over their shared enthusiasm for motor sports.
Mac is ex-military and suffering some trauma as a result of her experiences in the service. She doesn't trust easily, not herself or others, and as a result she never lets herself get close to the women she dates.
Lana designs Formula 1 vehicles. She works for her father's company and is fearful of losing her career if he learns she likes women.
The women hit it off quickly. We get the story from Mac's perspective and her self-doubt is agonizing at times, but ultimately worth the ordeal. The sex is hot and plentiful, with some enticing power exchange elements, and the world of fast cars and bikes is written in such a way that I (with no interest in such things in the real world) didn't feel left out.
And that cover art is gorgeous!
Very recommended.
"Dirty hands. Heavy beats. Dancing in a garage. Jeans and boots and T-shirts. Sweat and grease. If there was a heaven, Mac was sure it was like this."
Mac is ex-military and suffering some trauma as a result of her experiences in the service. She doesn't trust easily, not herself or others, and as a result she never lets herself get close to the women she dates.
Lana designs Formula 1 vehicles. She works for her father's company and is fearful of losing her career if he learns she likes women.
The women hit it off quickly. We get the story from Mac's perspective and her self-doubt is agonizing at times, but ultimately worth the ordeal. The sex is hot and plentiful, with some enticing power exchange elements, and the world of fast cars and bikes is written in such a way that I (with no interest in such things in the real world) didn't feel left out.
And that cover art is gorgeous!
Very recommended.
"Dirty hands. Heavy beats. Dancing in a garage. Jeans and boots and T-shirts. Sweat and grease. If there was a heaven, Mac was sure it was like this."
December 27, 2017
I wanted to read One for three reasons 1) f/f romance, 2) Italy, 3) motorcycles and how does the book deliver!
I enjoyed reading the story a lot! The writing is very engaging 3rd person pov, it's well-paced and truly interesting to read.
The protagonist is 40 year old army vet Mac, she's Black-Irish lesbian and a USA citizen. During her flight to Italy, where she's going to see Formula One race, she meets gorgeous woman and the romance happens. The love interest is engineer and designer Lana, a rich Italian 41 year old woman. Lana and Mac both passionate about cars, motorcycles, engines and Formula One. They bond over it, they have great chemistry together. I appreciate open communication between them. Also I rarely read stories about 40 years old queer people, so it was exciting.
Mac has PTSD, several scars and she lost her breast during service. The novel has several scenes of her waking up from nightmares, being wary of crowds and talking about her service and her worries with Lana. A lot of Mac's worries are caused by her low self-esteem and the regular angst of romance novels is mostly costed by her insecurities.
The novel is rich in sex scenes, I loved them! They are well-written and very emotional. I do have a small criticism. I wish there were either a little less of them or a little more of the plot outside of the romance. The novel is very characters-driven and their dynamics is the key to the story, but I wish we could see more of Italy or Lana's work place.
All in all, I'm very happy I got recommended this novel and decided to try it out. It's so worth reading. I'm bumped there're so few reviews on goodreads.
Sapphicathon Bingo: Book 6: Under 500 ratings on Goodreads & QWOC MC & Disabled MC
Content warning: PTSD, scars, homophobic relatives
I enjoyed reading the story a lot! The writing is very engaging 3rd person pov, it's well-paced and truly interesting to read.
The protagonist is 40 year old army vet Mac, she's Black-Irish lesbian and a USA citizen. During her flight to Italy, where she's going to see Formula One race, she meets gorgeous woman and the romance happens. The love interest is engineer and designer Lana, a rich Italian 41 year old woman. Lana and Mac both passionate about cars, motorcycles, engines and Formula One. They bond over it, they have great chemistry together. I appreciate open communication between them. Also I rarely read stories about 40 years old queer people, so it was exciting.
Mac has PTSD, several scars and she lost her breast during service. The novel has several scenes of her waking up from nightmares, being wary of crowds and talking about her service and her worries with Lana. A lot of Mac's worries are caused by her low self-esteem and the regular angst of romance novels is mostly costed by her insecurities.
The novel is rich in sex scenes, I loved them! They are well-written and very emotional. I do have a small criticism. I wish there were either a little less of them or a little more of the plot outside of the romance. The novel is very characters-driven and their dynamics is the key to the story, but I wish we could see more of Italy or Lana's work place.
All in all, I'm very happy I got recommended this novel and decided to try it out. It's so worth reading. I'm bumped there're so few reviews on goodreads.
Sapphicathon Bingo: Book 6: Under 500 ratings on Goodreads & QWOC MC & Disabled MC
Content warning: PTSD, scars, homophobic relatives
May 16, 2018
This book was a great find! I'm glad I was introduced to this remarkable author, Brenda Murphy, whom I never known until recently. She's now one of my newfound favourite lesfic authors which means I won't miss her work - past and future! 👍✌️ "One" has fast become one of my favourites lesfic romance novels. It's so different than the other favourite romance lesfic of mine. This book has to be read and experienced to really understand what I mean by different.
I love Murphy's writing style and storytelling since reading "Sum Of The Whole" right before picking up "One" - how she weaves her story and unique characters, the dialogue, especially the internal monologue truly resonate on an emotional level. But "One," I felt like Murphy took her writing and storytelling to another level with one of the most compelling stories & characters I've read in lesfic romance! First off, the 2 main characters are just the kind of lesbians I love reading about! Mac, an ex-soldier, mechanic, biker, race car enthusiast. And Lana, a super smart, 100% BAD-ARSE NERD of an engineer! A bloody race car engine designer! I mean, FFS!! 🤩😍 Not only that but she was also obviously into fast cars, and bikes, which she drove and rode, respectively, with the same proficiency as her genius brain!! AND, bloody hell, she was also a grease monkey!!! Well, not in a job sense but a hobby and form of therapy sense. 😏 SO COOL!
**I've never read of a character who's not only a genius nerd but genius with tools, too! Until Lana. Well done, Murphy! Cheers!**
Of course people like Lana are real!! It's just not written much in lesfic because I reckon that ruins the stereotype of butch vs femme characteristics. 🤷🏻♀️ I must add, Mac & Lana do not cater to the conventional butch-femme stereotype. Both possess either characteristics at different times. In other words, the dominant/submissive line was blurred. They were equals, they balanced each other. So incredibly refreshing to read! Hence, I applaud you, Ms. Murphy! Thank you for going against convention!
The chemistry between Mac & Lana was there from the beginning. A chance meeting at the airport under interesting circumstances, slowly but surely building up to a friendship as they realised they shared similar love for car-racing, fast cars! As they spent more time together, Lana being from Italy and involved in the car race that Mac was planning to attend, and Mac even though she was only in Italy for a holiday, their undeniable connection and attraction toward each other drew them together closer each day they were together. Murphy's incredible talent in writing absolutely compelling dialogue that was inundated with brutally honest emotions uttered between Lana and Mac as they grew more attached and ultimately falling in love with each other, so intoxicating and realistic to experience.
I can't say enough about just how deeply resonating the Mac and Lana's dialogue was. Mac, being of mixed race (she's black Irish), Lana being from a very wealthy family and an incredibly established career, inevitably invited racism and prejudice amongst people around them, including Lana's family members and friends. Lana's reaction toward these matters and Mac's resigned attitude toward them were written with such ferocious honesty I was yearning for the resolution and their ultimate happiness for their own's sake! Mac's constant insecurities about how Lana actually felt about her was met with Lana's equally determination to make Mac see and believe that what they both shared were genuine, real, and enduring. Lana was utterly strong and protective when Mac needed it and vice versa. That really made this couple so powerfully captivating because they simply complement each other's strengths and weaknesses. How Lana and Mac interacted with each other was so realistic that I felt like these were real people, their story happening in real-time and I was along for the ride!
The most unforgettable scene for me was when Lana had to chase after Mac.... literally racing after Mac at high speed....in a bloody Ducati!! 😲 How bloody bad-arse was she!!! FCK YEH!! 🙌
Lana = FERRARI and DUCATI. 😎 COME ON!!! 😍
I especially LOVED Mac's internal monologue! So acutely raw and honest I could literally feel Mac's vulnerability, her angst, her dilemma, her struggle, when dealing with her own emotions and state of mind, particularly how she felt about Lana. So palpable, so real. It's like I was in Mac's head! Murphy's style of writing Mac's internal monologue was spot on, in my opinion, because it actually elevated my understanding of Mac's struggle to come to terms with how she really felt about Lana, her insecurities about her worth (financial status and personal baggage) when it came to being with Lana. I simply reveled in its natural openness. It was so emotionally compelling that I wish Murphy had included Lana's internal monologue as well.
😅 Lana's one of the most intriguing characters I've read in lesfic for me! I yearned for more of her! 😍 Apart from Lana and Mac's utterly moving love story, I thoroughly enjoyed reading about Lana's family drama, her brothers, her father, their business, how she had to constantly prove herself as a genius, proficient engineer, an engine designer of race cars, no less, so she could be taken seriously because unfortunately her expertise was in a male-dominated arena. I loved that Murphy included the details of the race car circuit, the protocols, technicalities, how Lana was immersed in it ever so instinctively like she was born to be in it. I loved discovering Mac's past with her dad, her nan. Mac's own demons from her last tour in the military, her physical and mental scars which she was struggling with, how Lana became her anchor and support, were written with such open honesty, emotional depth and incredible poise, the intensity of their journey toward their deep connection and undeniable love for each other was a captivating experience to read!
All in all, I absolutely fell in love with Lana and Mac's complex and intricate journey toward an everlasting love. It was emotionally resonating, and a mesmerising love story to cherish! Lana/Mac have become one of me favourite lesfic couples. I will be re-reading their story time and time again, that's for sure!
"One" is a MUST-READ! I highly recommend it! It's erotic, it's romantic, it's intense, it's a rich girl/poor girl story, a love story between 2 women (one of whom is a WOC) who're in their 40s! Not to mention.... FAST CARS 🏎️, HIGH-SPEED MOTORCYCLES 🏍️, CAR RACING! Vroom! Vroom! SO COOL!!! 😎 Who doesn't LOVE this exceptionally refreshing combo in a lesfic romance, eh? 🙌👍🤘😜😍
Icing on the cake? The book COVER! Absolutely LOVE the cover!! So ADEQUATE! So PERFECT! Totally ACCURATE! Utterly BEAUTIFUL!! 😍😍❤️❤️
Well done, Ms. Murphy!👍 You've done it! Thank YOU for sharing this incredible story! ✌️
https://bugsownwords.wordpress.com/2018/05/14/one/
I love Murphy's writing style and storytelling since reading "Sum Of The Whole" right before picking up "One" - how she weaves her story and unique characters, the dialogue, especially the internal monologue truly resonate on an emotional level. But "One," I felt like Murphy took her writing and storytelling to another level with one of the most compelling stories & characters I've read in lesfic romance! First off, the 2 main characters are just the kind of lesbians I love reading about! Mac, an ex-soldier, mechanic, biker, race car enthusiast. And Lana, a super smart, 100% BAD-ARSE NERD of an engineer! A bloody race car engine designer! I mean, FFS!! 🤩😍 Not only that but she was also obviously into fast cars, and bikes, which she drove and rode, respectively, with the same proficiency as her genius brain!! AND, bloody hell, she was also a grease monkey!!! Well, not in a job sense but a hobby and form of therapy sense. 😏 SO COOL!
**I've never read of a character who's not only a genius nerd but genius with tools, too! Until Lana. Well done, Murphy! Cheers!**
Of course people like Lana are real!! It's just not written much in lesfic because I reckon that ruins the stereotype of butch vs femme characteristics. 🤷🏻♀️ I must add, Mac & Lana do not cater to the conventional butch-femme stereotype. Both possess either characteristics at different times. In other words, the dominant/submissive line was blurred. They were equals, they balanced each other. So incredibly refreshing to read! Hence, I applaud you, Ms. Murphy! Thank you for going against convention!
The chemistry between Mac & Lana was there from the beginning. A chance meeting at the airport under interesting circumstances, slowly but surely building up to a friendship as they realised they shared similar love for car-racing, fast cars! As they spent more time together, Lana being from Italy and involved in the car race that Mac was planning to attend, and Mac even though she was only in Italy for a holiday, their undeniable connection and attraction toward each other drew them together closer each day they were together. Murphy's incredible talent in writing absolutely compelling dialogue that was inundated with brutally honest emotions uttered between Lana and Mac as they grew more attached and ultimately falling in love with each other, so intoxicating and realistic to experience.
I can't say enough about just how deeply resonating the Mac and Lana's dialogue was. Mac, being of mixed race (she's black Irish), Lana being from a very wealthy family and an incredibly established career, inevitably invited racism and prejudice amongst people around them, including Lana's family members and friends. Lana's reaction toward these matters and Mac's resigned attitude toward them were written with such ferocious honesty I was yearning for the resolution and their ultimate happiness for their own's sake! Mac's constant insecurities about how Lana actually felt about her was met with Lana's equally determination to make Mac see and believe that what they both shared were genuine, real, and enduring. Lana was utterly strong and protective when Mac needed it and vice versa. That really made this couple so powerfully captivating because they simply complement each other's strengths and weaknesses. How Lana and Mac interacted with each other was so realistic that I felt like these were real people, their story happening in real-time and I was along for the ride!
The most unforgettable scene for me was when Lana had to chase after Mac.... literally racing after Mac at high speed....in a bloody Ducati!! 😲 How bloody bad-arse was she!!! FCK YEH!! 🙌
Lana = FERRARI and DUCATI. 😎 COME ON!!! 😍
I especially LOVED Mac's internal monologue! So acutely raw and honest I could literally feel Mac's vulnerability, her angst, her dilemma, her struggle, when dealing with her own emotions and state of mind, particularly how she felt about Lana. So palpable, so real. It's like I was in Mac's head! Murphy's style of writing Mac's internal monologue was spot on, in my opinion, because it actually elevated my understanding of Mac's struggle to come to terms with how she really felt about Lana, her insecurities about her worth (financial status and personal baggage) when it came to being with Lana. I simply reveled in its natural openness. It was so emotionally compelling that I wish Murphy had included Lana's internal monologue as well.
😅 Lana's one of the most intriguing characters I've read in lesfic for me! I yearned for more of her! 😍 Apart from Lana and Mac's utterly moving love story, I thoroughly enjoyed reading about Lana's family drama, her brothers, her father, their business, how she had to constantly prove herself as a genius, proficient engineer, an engine designer of race cars, no less, so she could be taken seriously because unfortunately her expertise was in a male-dominated arena. I loved that Murphy included the details of the race car circuit, the protocols, technicalities, how Lana was immersed in it ever so instinctively like she was born to be in it. I loved discovering Mac's past with her dad, her nan. Mac's own demons from her last tour in the military, her physical and mental scars which she was struggling with, how Lana became her anchor and support, were written with such open honesty, emotional depth and incredible poise, the intensity of their journey toward their deep connection and undeniable love for each other was a captivating experience to read!
All in all, I absolutely fell in love with Lana and Mac's complex and intricate journey toward an everlasting love. It was emotionally resonating, and a mesmerising love story to cherish! Lana/Mac have become one of me favourite lesfic couples. I will be re-reading their story time and time again, that's for sure!
"One" is a MUST-READ! I highly recommend it! It's erotic, it's romantic, it's intense, it's a rich girl/poor girl story, a love story between 2 women (one of whom is a WOC) who're in their 40s! Not to mention.... FAST CARS 🏎️, HIGH-SPEED MOTORCYCLES 🏍️, CAR RACING! Vroom! Vroom! SO COOL!!! 😎 Who doesn't LOVE this exceptionally refreshing combo in a lesfic romance, eh? 🙌👍🤘😜😍
Icing on the cake? The book COVER! Absolutely LOVE the cover!! So ADEQUATE! So PERFECT! Totally ACCURATE! Utterly BEAUTIFUL!! 😍😍❤️❤️
Well done, Ms. Murphy!👍 You've done it! Thank YOU for sharing this incredible story! ✌️
https://bugsownwords.wordpress.com/2018/05/14/one/
November 11, 2018
I loved it!
An excellent love story with an Black Irish and an Italian woman. The author touches on issues such as racism, bullying and PTSD. It was full of feeling and intensity and very descriptive settngs. You can feel the anger and the heat buildup. I got completely wrapped up in the story. A great romance and I highly recommend.
An excellent love story with an Black Irish and an Italian woman. The author touches on issues such as racism, bullying and PTSD. It was full of feeling and intensity and very descriptive settngs. You can feel the anger and the heat buildup. I got completely wrapped up in the story. A great romance and I highly recommend.
September 19, 2018
An American, Reagan MacDonald, shares side by side seats on a 9 hour flight to Italy with a gorgeous woman, Lana Baroni. They share life stories and so begins a deep friendship between them that will lead them together to Milan and then to Monza. Mac is traveling to Italy to see a Grand Prix race for the first time and Lana is both the wealthy daughter of a team owner and the lead engineer for their Formula 1 cars. It doesn’t take long before their spark fires up and they become lovers and then something more. But Mac’s stay is supposed to be temporary and her constant gnawing doubt is how could Lana love a working stiff like her? A veteran who suffers from PTSD? But Lana is a woman in love who won’t be denied. She battles her own demons but finally finds peace in Mac’s love so she holds on tight, willing to fight everything and everybody to keep it. Lana is definitely my favorite.
Lots of steamy, very physical sex, cool cars and motorcycles, and more sex. Both mc’s are distinct, the setting of the Alps and northern Italy very romantic, and a satisfying ending. Maybe could have used a little more depth in all the characters to round them out a bit more.
It might sound weird, but I also wish the author had written more detailed pages on Lana and Mac’s car project. I found it really hot when they worked on the ‘69 Ferrari Daytona together.
Lots of steamy, very physical sex, cool cars and motorcycles, and more sex. Both mc’s are distinct, the setting of the Alps and northern Italy very romantic, and a satisfying ending. Maybe could have used a little more depth in all the characters to round them out a bit more.
It might sound weird, but I also wish the author had written more detailed pages on Lana and Mac’s car project. I found it really hot when they worked on the ‘69 Ferrari Daytona together.
February 26, 2018
This book features two women who both like motorcycles and Formula 1 racing. Mac is a mixed-race woman veteran with some scars both physical and mental. She meets an Italian woman, Lana, during a protracted flight delay during which time Mac rescues a travel agent from an abusive male customer. The two women end up sitting together during the flight. I liked the opening because it gave some insight into both women. Lana approached Mac to watch her bags. Mac is very butch so that was a clue to Lana’s interest, even though Mac didn’t see it. Mac has a lot of internal monologues throughout the book but starting from the beginning which highlight her insecurity. I enjoyed them because I would have felt the same way during several of the scenes.
There are some hot scenes after they finally accept the mutual attraction. Despite all this, Mac is still insecure and worried that she’ll be dumped. It doesn’t help that Lana is very wealthy and somewhat insecure herself in the beginning. There is fumbling, which makes it all the more real. There is also racism towards Mac, including from Lana’s family, and homophobia. There are motorcycles and race cars, too, but not a lot of scenes feature them, just enough to paint the picture of riding around curves and up and down hills on the bikes and visiting the racetrack.
In some respects, the book is realistic and in others, it’s a complete fantasy romance. The fumbling and fears felt real – all of us have probably felt that at least once. The fabulously wealthy woman picking up the scarred vet and falling in love with her felt like the kind of fairy tale romance we all want to see or read. Overall, it’s a fun, well-written book.
There are some hot scenes after they finally accept the mutual attraction. Despite all this, Mac is still insecure and worried that she’ll be dumped. It doesn’t help that Lana is very wealthy and somewhat insecure herself in the beginning. There is fumbling, which makes it all the more real. There is also racism towards Mac, including from Lana’s family, and homophobia. There are motorcycles and race cars, too, but not a lot of scenes feature them, just enough to paint the picture of riding around curves and up and down hills on the bikes and visiting the racetrack.
In some respects, the book is realistic and in others, it’s a complete fantasy romance. The fumbling and fears felt real – all of us have probably felt that at least once. The fabulously wealthy woman picking up the scarred vet and falling in love with her felt like the kind of fairy tale romance we all want to see or read. Overall, it’s a fun, well-written book.
January 17, 2019
Smokin' hot
A flight delay turns Mac's world upside down. She meets a beautiful woman after saving an airline employee from an irate customer. The rest is history. Ever met the woman of your dreams and you're not quite prepared for her? Well, that's Mac. She has a lot of growing to do. As she's talking herself into and out of things you can't help, but tell DON'T DO IT or YOU BETTER... It's a rollercoaster ride. Lana has some things she must do as well, but she is the complete opposite of Mac. She's all in and hopes Mac doesn't break her heart. These two are compatible in every way. Mac just has to get out of her head. As with every Brenda Murphy book that I've read, the sex scenes are insane! They'll have you on one so get your SO ready or a cold shower. You'll need something...
A flight delay turns Mac's world upside down. She meets a beautiful woman after saving an airline employee from an irate customer. The rest is history. Ever met the woman of your dreams and you're not quite prepared for her? Well, that's Mac. She has a lot of growing to do. As she's talking herself into and out of things you can't help, but tell DON'T DO IT or YOU BETTER... It's a rollercoaster ride. Lana has some things she must do as well, but she is the complete opposite of Mac. She's all in and hopes Mac doesn't break her heart. These two are compatible in every way. Mac just has to get out of her head. As with every Brenda Murphy book that I've read, the sex scenes are insane! They'll have you on one so get your SO ready or a cold shower. You'll need something...
September 29, 2024
Nope
The ideal number of hate crimes in a book is zero, but FOUR violent racist altercations in a novella - including the N word on page, drawing racist caricatures, and two physical get outta heres - is a bit much. It made everything worse that the Black MC's only concern was protecting her fragile white girlfriend from the hard hard ordeal of dating a Black person while having a super racist family.
I got suckered in by the beautiful cover and premise of Formula One sapphics :(
The ideal number of hate crimes in a book is zero, but FOUR violent racist altercations in a novella - including the N word on page, drawing racist caricatures, and two physical get outta heres - is a bit much. It made everything worse that the Black MC's only concern was protecting her fragile white girlfriend from the hard hard ordeal of dating a Black person while having a super racist family.
I got suckered in by the beautiful cover and premise of Formula One sapphics :(
November 6, 2017
***I received a free copy of this book and this is an honest review of it***
Overall, I would have to say that One by Brenda Murphy is an extremely well-written sports romance book with a female/female pairing. The characters were strong with Mac, an ex-military PTSD sufferer taking the lead. The love scenes were steamy, bordering on intense. I was intrigued with the way Murphy built the Formula One car racing world - which I know nothing about.
Having said that, I have to also say the world that I was intrigued by was one of the reasons I tended to lose interests in the book. If you aren't truly interested in racing, fast cars and motorcycles, and such, I would caution you when picking up this book. I oftentimes became lost in the brilliant world she'd created.
I would definitely recommend this book to someone who enjoys the fast-paced world of cars, motorcycles, and the like. It will definitely have your heart racing - the sex scenes too! Even if you're just up for an adventure in general, I'd give One a shot. Enjoy!!
Overall, I would have to say that One by Brenda Murphy is an extremely well-written sports romance book with a female/female pairing. The characters were strong with Mac, an ex-military PTSD sufferer taking the lead. The love scenes were steamy, bordering on intense. I was intrigued with the way Murphy built the Formula One car racing world - which I know nothing about.
Having said that, I have to also say the world that I was intrigued by was one of the reasons I tended to lose interests in the book. If you aren't truly interested in racing, fast cars and motorcycles, and such, I would caution you when picking up this book. I oftentimes became lost in the brilliant world she'd created.
I would definitely recommend this book to someone who enjoys the fast-paced world of cars, motorcycles, and the like. It will definitely have your heart racing - the sex scenes too! Even if you're just up for an adventure in general, I'd give One a shot. Enjoy!!
September 14, 2019
Erotic romance at its best, two lost soles meet and I loved the ride....great story
May 9, 2018
I absolutely love the cover first off!!! The face that the main character is a woman of color and the cover reflects that makes my heart so freaking happy!!!!
Mac is a complicated woman. She's our woman of color, military vet, scarred inside and out, and seems to be only really truly happy with grease on her hands and goodness am I in love with her. I resonated with Mac on almost all her levels. Her self-unappreciation is what sealed the deal for my love of her. I could/can relate. Then when she meets Lana. The epitome of poise, grace, brilliance. How is Mac supposed to compete with that lifestyle?
You can see my full review here: Christinas-Bookshelf
Mac is a complicated woman. She's our woman of color, military vet, scarred inside and out, and seems to be only really truly happy with grease on her hands and goodness am I in love with her. I resonated with Mac on almost all her levels. Her self-unappreciation is what sealed the deal for my love of her. I could/can relate. Then when she meets Lana. The epitome of poise, grace, brilliance. How is Mac supposed to compete with that lifestyle?
You can see my full review here: Christinas-Bookshelf
August 19, 2019
Got My Motor Running!!!
This is one sex filled romp that takes place between the intriguing Italian Lana and the rugged American war vet Mac. These women are so different but their chemistry is electric. Mac is so strong and brave but she has some real problems with PTSD and self-esteem. She can’t see her own worth and is so filled with doubts that you can’t help but love her. Fortunately, Lana CAN see all that is good and wonderful in her companion. This tale is powerfully written and emotional. I loved every minute of it and could not help but adore the whole thing!
This is one sex filled romp that takes place between the intriguing Italian Lana and the rugged American war vet Mac. These women are so different but their chemistry is electric. Mac is so strong and brave but she has some real problems with PTSD and self-esteem. She can’t see her own worth and is so filled with doubts that you can’t help but love her. Fortunately, Lana CAN see all that is good and wonderful in her companion. This tale is powerfully written and emotional. I loved every minute of it and could not help but adore the whole thing!
July 31, 2024
Okay book. Despite being on the shorter side of what I read word-count-wise, it still felt like it dragged on too long, and IMO the book spent way too much time on sex-scenes which I felt were unnecessary to the plot and characters. Only a few of them really felt like they developed the characters and beyond that the majority of them should've been cut.
Other than that the character drama was enjoyable if a little on the nose at points, and the depictions of racism towards the black MC felt somewhat in poor taste considering the author is not black and didn't appear to work with a sensitivity reader.
One last thing I'll say is, based on the cover and synopsis I was expecting a more action oriented book with racecar driver sapphics but (light spoilers) the racecar stuff in the book was limited to Mac (the MC) being a mechanic and Lana (the love interest) being an engineer, though her actual work is mostly talked about vaguely as set dressing.
Other than that the character drama was enjoyable if a little on the nose at points, and the depictions of racism towards the black MC felt somewhat in poor taste considering the author is not black and didn't appear to work with a sensitivity reader.
One last thing I'll say is, based on the cover and synopsis I was expecting a more action oriented book with racecar driver sapphics but (light spoilers) the racecar stuff in the book was limited to Mac (the MC) being a mechanic and Lana (the love interest) being an engineer, though her actual work is mostly talked about vaguely as set dressing.
February 21, 2022
One is my first Brenda Murphy read and I was not disappointed. It had an original story and was super hot with characters who were authentic.
Mac and Lana manage to build a realistic relationship which oozed chemistry and had me hooked for hours, just hoping for a happy ending for both characters.
I definitely recommend One, but maybe don't read it in public - there are A LOT of very steamy love scenes!
Mac and Lana manage to build a realistic relationship which oozed chemistry and had me hooked for hours, just hoping for a happy ending for both characters.
I definitely recommend One, but maybe don't read it in public - there are A LOT of very steamy love scenes!
September 13, 2024
I was enchante from the get go. There is a real story here.
You ae slowly drawn into a loving reltionhip with bumps nd curves.
If opposites attract this book proves it can happen. Rich/poor, black American/tanned Italian, dainty/strong, loving, giving/withholding, closed.
This book goes through all of the learning curves of a relationship.
You ae slowly drawn into a loving reltionhip with bumps nd curves.
If opposites attract this book proves it can happen. Rich/poor, black American/tanned Italian, dainty/strong, loving, giving/withholding, closed.
This book goes through all of the learning curves of a relationship.
January 25, 2022
I love it! Brenda Murphy put together F1 races, sexy motorcycles, an adorable foul mouth Italian, Lana, and a modern and vulnerable knight in shining armor, Mac, and WOW! The result: you just can’t put the book down.
February 23, 2022
A hot read set in the world of F1. One character has toxic family and there's a lot of drama. Also on page racism which is nicely dealt with by the author.
January 26, 2024
One go at finding the One. A great journey with a Formula One background. A great read
October 21, 2024
Not my favorite Brenda Murphy's book. I found the story a bit all over the place. A lot of sex, some light bondage, some fast motor cycle riding, Formule One racing and a lot of racial tension.
September 15, 2024
A good read, it started strong and amusing with MC and LI interactions being quite entertaining and lively, I was a bit giddy waiting for them to finally go for it, and when they went it was worth it. It was quite spicy and unlike my food, I like my readings just like that
The one thing that I thought was annoying was the lack of a proper time passing indicator, I know it was 6 weeks but when things happened were not clear and it kinda weighted down on my judgment. I mean, I thought they were saying some stuff after a week, but then Mac was going home and made sense of was over a month.
Anyway, it was free and I'm very grateful, with a read even though I didn't rate it higher
The one thing that I thought was annoying was the lack of a proper time passing indicator, I know it was 6 weeks but when things happened were not clear and it kinda weighted down on my judgment. I mean, I thought they were saying some stuff after a week, but then Mac was going home and made sense of was over a month.
Anyway, it was free and I'm very grateful, with a read even though I didn't rate it higher
December 25, 2022
I've read this 3 times now and have enjoyed it every time. What I am waiting for is the sequel. I want them to get married (in Vegas) and beat Lana's Dad in the big race in a year or two.
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