The One & Only

The One Love #1

by Maria La Serra

Two New York editors learn that their office feud and love-hate feelings could be the perfect way to find the love that they both have been looking for—that is, if they don’t kill each other first.

Staci Cortés is a dating columnist at a popular New York magazine and trying her best to get her love life in order. Greg McAdams—the one person in the world Staci cannot stand—is a writer for a metropolitan men’s magazine and the son of her boss, and he sits right across the hall from her. So, when Staci is promoted to a brand-new online magazine venture with a new co-editor, she is beyond ecstatic—until she learns that her new partner is none other than Greg.

As the two struggle to get along and work together on their co-editorial pieces, they each realize that there is more to the other than meets the eye. A charming story about forgiveness, compromise, and the ups and downs of an in-office relationship, The One & Only is the perfect novel for fans of office romances and the movie 10 Things I Hate About You.

216 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 8, 2019

About the author

A Montréalaise who began her career in the fashion industry before transitioning to a writer. She is willing to try anything at least once—except for skiing, hiking, camping, or anything that would require her to spend time in the great outdoors. When she’s not working on her next book, you could find her spending time with her husband and kids.

You can follow her on:
Twitter @authormlaserra
Instagram @maria.laserra
Facebook @authormarialaserra

Reviews

[My Pink Fairytales · Rating 3 out of 5]

Have you seen the movie



Well, this book is very similar to that. You have the main characters being dating columnists for a NY magazine, forced to work together on a new project and their hate-to-love relationship.
Staci is the one doing the hate part and Greg is just busy falling in love with her.

Now, my 3⭐️ rating comes because of the lack of originality plot wise (see the movie reference), because the heroine’s reasons for hating the hero are childish, the drama part right before the ending is laughable and the epilogue and the marriage proposal seem to be out of the blue.

I rolled my eyes at some parts - like the one where he was in a motorcycle accident that left him in a coma and so he didn’t remember the heroine from some years back, or at Staci’s insecurities and frustrations.

All in all, it was fun and those of you who usually pick chick lits, won’t regret reading this one.

[thewoollygeek (tea, cake, crochet & books) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the humour and chemistry of the main characters in this, dual POV done really well. A great pick me up read, light, fluffy and happy, just what’s needed a lot of the time. Entertaining read

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion

[Katie SBR Media- Senior Literary Agent · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ll be honest I had a bit of trouble in the beginning connecting with Staci, however her inner dialogue was hilarious. As the story progressed I found her to be tolerable and not as snarky.

Greg is super swoon worthy, but with his past experience with Staci I found I disliked him a little bit.

As their story progresses I found that I couldn’t put the book down! And let’s not forget to mention the hilarity of the article snippets!

I received this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Alison · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF at 27%.

First, let me say that I am having a really off time with books. I have 54 books on my Kindle and I don't want to read any of them, so this may not be all the book's fault.

This is a classic tale of rivalry, Staci Cortés is a dating columnist at a popular New York magazine she wants to write more insightful pieces so when her boss makes her co-editor of a new online magazine she is over the moon, until she discovers that her co-editor is the boss' son, and her nemesis, Greg McAdams. Clearly there is a history with Greg, probably from years ago when Staci was (I'm guessing) a lot larger than she is now, a history of which he is blissfully unaware. So this had all the makings of a fun romantic comedy in the vein of How To Lose A Guy In Ten Days, unfortunately for e the reality fell far short.

From the little I read Greg came across as a sweet, thoughtful, professional guy with a soft spot for Staci. Staci on the other hand came across as an unprofessional psycho, behaving really badly and escalating matters when Greg does nothing in retaliation. When she talks about him being a gentleman and her wondering what crazy antics she can pull off (while they are on a work date) I decided life was too short to waste on unpleasant characters.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

[LMR · Rating 4 out of 5]

The One & Only (A Clean Billionaire Romance) (The One Love Book 1) By: Maria La Serra
Can They Set Aside Animosity To Be "The One & Only" For Each Other!?!
Uck! She's just been Saddled with "The One & Only" Guy She cannot Despise MORE!
Meanwhile, He's been Partnered with "The One & Only" Gal He cannot Possibly WANT More!
Here comes the Battle of the S€x€S, as These TWO Navigate their Attraction like it's a Prickly Pear & a Balloon...
ONE Wrong Move... And "The One & Only" illusion of HATE SomeOne's carry'n is sure to POP!!
Then, before they know it, they might just find...
They are "The One & Only" for Each Other!
I was granted an ARC of Maria La Serra's "The One & Only (A Clean Billionaire Romance) (The One Love Book 1)" via Booksprout; I recommend this book to others based upon its own merits. All opinions expressed within this review are uniquely my own & freely given!
Until next time... Happy Reading!

[Stella Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun and Sassy!

This is the first book I’ve read by Maria La Serra and I was pleasantly surprised! I love the premise of the enemies to friends to lovers, AND fake relationship merged together. Staci is a smart mouthed relationship writer for a woman’s magazine. Greg is also a writer for the same publication’s men’s magazine. He is also the CEO’s son. But Staci “hates” Greg because of something that happened years ago. Instead of dealing with the situation, she makes assumptions about Greg, and his life. When the CEO decides to start a new online relationship magazine, he puts the two together. This is the story of how the two navigate that relationship, while building their own relationship (with Staci always reluctantly going along). Then, they get thrown together as boyfriend/girlfriend and Staci’s family is happy to see the two together. It takes Staci’s grandmother to knock some sense into Greg! And it takes Staci’s best friend to knock some sense into Staci.

This story is one of overcoming insecurities and learning to read between the snark to see the journey to love. This is a very well written, easy to read book that made me laugh, groan and eventually swoon. I can’t wait for the next book in this series!

Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review an ARC of this book and I am providing my honest review.

[Jeeves Reads Romance · Rating 4 out of 5]

The One & Only is a short, sweet, clean and romantic story about two writers who have to find a way to work together despite the tension between them. Staci has hated Greg since they started working together, but Greg doesn’t know why. He’s attracted to her and is frustrated with her anger towards him. As they work on a series of articles together, they get to know one another better and Staci realizes that maybe she’s been holding a grudge when she shouldn’t have. It’s a fun, light romance with some great banter. The book is short, not going into too much detail, and the story moves quickly. There were parts of the writing style I didn’t love, but the humor in the book was great and I really enjoyed the story. Thank you, NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. The One & Only had such a sweet hero in Greg and such a fiesty heroine in Staci that the book was a lot of fun to read.

[Amy Crull · Rating 4 out of 5]

This type of book is one of my favorites! Enemies to lovers plus an office romance, a winner in my book!!
Greg is the boss's son and the one to take over. His dad wants to do more with the company. He puts him and Staci together for a new feature. This is when it gets interesting.. Staci despies Greg for something that happened 6 yrs ago but the more she spends time with him, she sees a different side to him. Greg was the spoiled rich kid, never really caring about anyone but himself. He's had luck with the ladies but he's ready to settle down with the one and only.. Staci is feisty, which I loved so feeling much. She kept him on his toes, that's for sure. This book was fun to read and I loved the characters as well!

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I volunteered to read this ARC for an honest review. I enjoyed this story about Staci and Greg. His dad owns Nash Publishing and he writes for Avant - Garde. She's a writer for Starlet magazine also owned by Nash. They both write relationship columns. Mr McAdams take them with writing a online post called According to Staci and Greg. Being forced to work today brings out Staci's immature side. She had a crush on him when she was younger and he blew her off. She had been hurt since then and is afraid to trust again. Greg wants to get to know get better and is willing to do what he can. Follow as they learn to trust each other and figure out what makes them happy.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Clare · Rating 5 out of 5]

Greg McAdams is a well off, handsome New York journalist who’s Dad owns the magazine company. Staci, also a journalist, works for the magazine writing a column for a women’s magazine. They are brought together to create an online magazine for men and women giving relationship advice. Sounds great however preconceived notions, assumptions and the past keep tripping them up.
A really fun read! I don’t think I put it down. Short, sweet, romantic but also career based and very true to relationship dilemmas in today’s world! I really appreciated the cultural references and language. The conversation with Staci and her family regarding McAdams was hilarious! Will definitely be reading more of Maria’s work.
Thank you Voracious Readers Only for this complimentary copy.

[Magali · Rating 4 out of 5]

All the art of the romantic war
Good, tender and simple romance with very good characters and quite humorous scenes at times. I loved how Stacy tries to do everything to be unbearable and that Greg, her boss's son, hates her. They are forced to work together and while he tries to seduce her, she is either plague, aggressive, unbearable because, although he has forgotten it for 6 years, Stacy remembers what he did to her then. Yet, although she continues to be annoying, she discovers that he is no longer the one she has known and begins to open.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book

[Rachel - Read with Rach · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book I have read by Maria La Serra and I really enjoyed it. I love romances told in a first person dual POV so this book got major points from me straight out of the gate. Greg was a super likable hero - I was rooting for him from the beginning. It took a little while for me to warm up to Staci. She came off as abrasive and bratty - I wish her backstory would have been brought up earlier in the book. Once I understood her more I really liked her.

I love coworker romances and this had a bit of a enemies-to-lovers feel as well. This was a well-written contemporary romance and I definitely recommend it.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this free ARC!

[bookreviewer_98 · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a fun book. I had a great time reading it. The total enemies to lovers troupe is my favourite and thats why I enjoyed it very much. Staci morally dislikes greg and wants nothing to do with him. Greg on the other hand likes staci very much. Due to past relationships staci likes to avoid greg who in turn is heir to the company she works. When they are assigned to run a biweekly column togather staci was forced to interact with greg and the rest is history. I liked this story very much. The storyline, the character the storytelling was awesome. Their chemistry was sizzling. I had a great time reading it and I would definately recommend it!

[Julia Red Hatter Book Blog · Rating 4 out of 5]

Talk about a true love/hate relationship. The One and Only gives us Staci and Greg. Staci does everything in her power to annoy Greg, she hates him for a past indiscretion. Greg just kinda rolls with the punches. Neither see that they hate Staci harbors is turning into love.

Greg is super swoon worthy. He may have been born with a silver spoon in his mouth, but he's down to earth. He understands money can't buy love and happiness. You will fall hard and quick for this sexy and sweet man. Staci took a but more for me to warm up to her. She's abrasive, and a lot of the times way too self absorbed. You can understand some of where she's coming from, but it may take a bit to start liking her. These two together though? Complete fireworks. Their chemistry can be seen from a mile away.

Even though I wanted to slap Staci a few times, I thoroughly enjoyed her and Greg's story. I hope to see them again in the future!

[Giofab21 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Being thrown together to work on a new online idea with someone you can't stand while a certain part of you can't stop admiring is definitely a recipe for something. Although there is a moment in time that Staci can't forget involving Greg she hates that the more they spend time together he might not be the person she thought he was. Good looking and charming can only confuse the girl more. Fun the see how well they will "work" together.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[poppy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good clean enemies to lovers romance and was a really fun book. I really liked the plot and enjoyed getting to know both Staci and Greg I really liked that no matter how much she went out of her way to annoy him he just rolled with it. Greg was a wonderful character and I really liked him it did take a bit to warm to Staci but she did have me laughing out loud at times this was a good read I really look forward to reading more from this author.

[Meghan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this one! Staci and Greg had good chemistry and banter. It was obvious from the beginning that something had happened in the past between the two. I appreciated finding out what it was fairly early in the story. I thought that left plenty of room and time to move on and hear their true story. Good chicklit read!

*i received a copy from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review*

[Rubi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maria La Serra has done it again. She has brought us another amazing story.

In The One and Only we meet Greg and Staci. I loved the banter between the two. It’s an enemies-to-lovers/second chance romance you won’t be able to put down. With multiple laugh-out-loud moments you’ll be rooting for these two to make it work and asking for more!

I highly recommend this book and can’t wait to dig into Book 2!

[Deanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

A real fun read. I loved the banter that went on with these two long before anything happened . It made them fun and easy to get to know. There is also a lesson to be learned. Never assume! It can blind you to the truth and you could potentially loose the love of your life in the process.
A good clean office romance with a HEA.

I received this as an arc and I am giving my honest review voluntarily

[Jeanne Richardson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 1st book I've read written Maria La Serra; she has done a great job at writing a good book; I will definitely be reading more of her books.

The story line caught my attention at the very beginning and kept me interested throughout the entire book.

I loved the chemistry between the characters.

I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.

[GeekyBookMama · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first time reading from this author. I really enjoyed reading this book, The banter between Greg and Staci was funny. I liked the storyline and the secondary characters.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kristin · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the advance copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review."

Loved this book very much. It had just enough sweet, sexy romance and the storyline was great! I highly recommend!

[Spunky N Sassy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spunky N Sassy Rating: 4.0

~~~~~~~~~~Lindsey's ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Review~~~~~~~~~~

Great Book

This book is snarky and funny. I really enjoyed the witty banter and slow burn romance.

[Messy Bun Book Blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first Maria La Serra book, but I’d definitely won’t be my last! I loved watching Staci & Greg’s banter! It was the perfect way to drive up the tension between the two of them. I really enjoyed how Greg was all about Staci, even though she was fighting her feelings.

[MoonGarden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clean and Captivating read

I love reading clean romances! This is a great enemies to in love story. Can't say I've ever fallen in love with an enemy myself, but it sure makes for fun reading.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lisa H · Rating 5 out of 5]

Staci Cortés has worked hard to get where she is. Not like Greg, who’s father owns their publications.

They both write advice for different publications and now, they will be working together, but there’s a lot at stake, magazine wise..

Oh, and there is a big reason why Staci doesn’t like Greg...he asked her out when she was young and poor and he was a no show and she caught him making out with a blonde. Of course Greg doesn’t even remember this until Staci enlightens him.

Thankfully, Greg has changed a lot from his shallow days. He’s pretty sweet now.

The article snippets are priceless.
Recommend.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Melissa B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enemies to lovers romance with a whole lot of humor. They will have to face their past and see if they can forgive and compromise with each other.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Brandi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Competing columnists that work better together than apart. There’s definitely attraction there that fuel that inner fire to succeed. How do you think they get along so well? That chemistry burns hotter than the words on the pages their readers read. Great start to the series!

[Nicole Pinto · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a sweet and fun read. Staci and Greg work together but dislike each other. They have to work on a story together and then the inevitable happens. There aren’t written sexy times in this book if that’s what you are looking for. But the writing is good and the story was cute. Thank you for the ARC!

[Jackie Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two New York editors learn that their office feud and love-hate feelings could be the perfect way to find the love that they both have been looking for—that is, if they don’t kill each other first.

Staci Cortés is a dating columnist at a popular New York magazine and trying her best to get her love life in order. Greg McAdams—the one person in the world Staci cannot stand—is a writer for a metropolitan men’s magazine and the son of her boss, and he sits right across the hall from her. So, when Staci is promoted to a brand-new online magazine venture with a new co-editor, she is beyond ecstatic—until she learns that her new partner is none other than Greg.

As the two struggle to get along and work together on their co-editorial pieces, they each realize that there is more to the other than meets the eye.