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The One I'm With
“I guess I don’t see you as a woman.” He laughed. “No, I know you’re a woman! But I still think of you as the peanut tagging along behind, the little girl whose hair got caught in her bike chain and I had to yank it free. I still remember you looking up at me, asking me not to tell your mom. That’s what you are to me, Peanut…
And therein lies the problem. Maybe Brooks and Lanie just have too much history for there to be anything more between them. Maybe there’s just too big a jump from old friendship to new love, despite what Lanie’s heart wants. After all, he has seen her in her diapers (and less), and saved her from jellyfish stings, broken bones, wayward bike chains, and more over all the years they’ve known each other.
The one thing Brooks couldn’t save her from was a lot of misery at the school they both attended, the school where Lanie now works as a kindergarten teacher. And there’s some tough stuff going on there as well, with students, and with some parents who come back from the past to make Lanie’s life more than a little challenging. Not to mention her mother…a whole other story!
Lanie has to get it together—with her job, her family, and her love life. And when she does, maybe that will include the guy she’s fantasized about her whole life, and maybe he’ll be able to see her as the woman she is, rather than the girl she was!
And therein lies the problem. Maybe Brooks and Lanie just have too much history for there to be anything more between them. Maybe there’s just too big a jump from old friendship to new love, despite what Lanie’s heart wants. After all, he has seen her in her diapers (and less), and saved her from jellyfish stings, broken bones, wayward bike chains, and more over all the years they’ve known each other.
The one thing Brooks couldn’t save her from was a lot of misery at the school they both attended, the school where Lanie now works as a kindergarten teacher. And there’s some tough stuff going on there as well, with students, and with some parents who come back from the past to make Lanie’s life more than a little challenging. Not to mention her mother…a whole other story!
Lanie has to get it together—with her job, her family, and her love life. And when she does, maybe that will include the guy she’s fantasized about her whole life, and maybe he’ll be able to see her as the woman she is, rather than the girl she was!
324 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 24, 2019
80 people are currently reading
55 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
July 13, 2019
Oh, even for a summer read this one a weak shot .
I liked Lanie, but the "past luggage" was a bit stupid.
Seriously, who carries on with nicknames from school in their mid 20-s??
The writing was wobble for the most part of it. With a few twigs and trims it could have been a good summer read.
I liked Lanie, but the "past luggage" was a bit stupid.
Seriously, who carries on with nicknames from school in their mid 20-s??
The writing was wobble for the most part of it. With a few twigs and trims it could have been a good summer read.
June 26, 2019
Man do I love Jamie Bennett books! Whenever a new one comes out I drop everything and read it.
The One I'm With is another fabulous read. It is a slow burn romance about a lovely young woman surrounded by less than lovely people.
Lanie (our heroine) is a young kindergarten teacher surrounded by adults who are judgmental, critical, fake, and just all around crappy individuals. There are some good people in her life, but honestly, not as many as she deserves.
I loved Lanie and her many mishaps. She lived life with best intentions and those intentions seemed to bite her on the butt more often than not. I always believed that she belonged with Brooks, and knew he would agree if he ever bothered to really see her as an adult.
Brooks (our hero) is a good guy who cares a lot about Lanie but he doesn't see her for who she really is. He is always kind and considerate to her, but he can't seem to see her outside of an honorary kid sister roll in his life.
Overall, this is a sweet romance about setting boundaries and letting people know that you are not available to use as a doormat. (Not an easy lesson for a nice girl, but possibly the most important lesson that nice girls ever learn.)
I would recommend this book, and any of other Bennett's books, highly.
The One I'm With is another fabulous read. It is a slow burn romance about a lovely young woman surrounded by less than lovely people.
Lanie (our heroine) is a young kindergarten teacher surrounded by adults who are judgmental, critical, fake, and just all around crappy individuals. There are some good people in her life, but honestly, not as many as she deserves.
I loved Lanie and her many mishaps. She lived life with best intentions and those intentions seemed to bite her on the butt more often than not. I always believed that she belonged with Brooks, and knew he would agree if he ever bothered to really see her as an adult.
Brooks (our hero) is a good guy who cares a lot about Lanie but he doesn't see her for who she really is. He is always kind and considerate to her, but he can't seem to see her outside of an honorary kid sister roll in his life.
Overall, this is a sweet romance about setting boundaries and letting people know that you are not available to use as a doormat. (Not an easy lesson for a nice girl, but possibly the most important lesson that nice girls ever learn.)
I would recommend this book, and any of other Bennett's books, highly.
January 19, 2021
I finished this book feeling very angry about everything. I feel like I have wasted my time—if I were reading a paperback version of this book, I would have burned it. Literally.
Honestly, this book should have been longer so everything could be fleshed out. I don’t know why but it seems like the author hates Laney a lot. The way she’s written, god, she’s the epitome of the word pathetic. Everything about her was. I felt so sorry for her because everyone treated like dirt.
From her schoolmates, to her mother, to her neighbours to her co-workers. The only person who was nice to her was the hero (I’ll get to that later). She never stood up for herself, she just took the abuser over and over again. It’s like she never grew throughout the book—there was no character development. At least until 98% into the book and even that part was half-assed.
Laney and the hero whose name I have already forgotten had zero romantic chemistry. It was so fucking annoying and maddening to see Laney put this dude golden boy on a pedestal while he belittled her and treated her like the child he grew up with. It was never even clear when he fell for her—if anything he treated her like a friend until 80% into the book.
It was even more fucking annoying that he got to date around while Laney got to be the loser who never got to do the same thing. Instead she pined the whole time for him, readying herself for him like the pathetic virgin she was. Come on. She’s better than this.
I know for a fact there were so much more to Laney but it was never fully showcased. We know this woman was strong and kind. We know she’s damned good at her job, but we didn’t. get. to. see. it. That’s the problem. There were few descriptions of Laney in class but that’s it. Like god, she was abused left and right by everyone around her. At least let her have this ONE THING.
I demand justice for Laney because she deserved better. Bye.
Honestly, this book should have been longer so everything could be fleshed out. I don’t know why but it seems like the author hates Laney a lot. The way she’s written, god, she’s the epitome of the word pathetic. Everything about her was. I felt so sorry for her because everyone treated like dirt.
From her schoolmates, to her mother, to her neighbours to her co-workers. The only person who was nice to her was the hero (I’ll get to that later). She never stood up for herself, she just took the abuser over and over again. It’s like she never grew throughout the book—there was no character development. At least until 98% into the book and even that part was half-assed.
Laney and the hero whose name I have already forgotten had zero romantic chemistry. It was so fucking annoying and maddening to see Laney put this dude golden boy on a pedestal while he belittled her and treated her like the child he grew up with. It was never even clear when he fell for her—if anything he treated her like a friend until 80% into the book.
It was even more fucking annoying that he got to date around while Laney got to be the loser who never got to do the same thing. Instead she pined the whole time for him, readying herself for him like the pathetic virgin she was. Come on. She’s better than this.
I know for a fact there were so much more to Laney but it was never fully showcased. We know this woman was strong and kind. We know she’s damned good at her job, but we didn’t. get. to. see. it. That’s the problem. There were few descriptions of Laney in class but that’s it. Like god, she was abused left and right by everyone around her. At least let her have this ONE THING.
I demand justice for Laney because she deserved better. Bye.
June 29, 2019
Lanie has loved Brooks nearly her entire life. He's always looked at her as a kid sister. One night right after Brooks graduated high school, Lanie convinced him to pretend they had sex so that she would become more "popular" in their school. A drunken Brooks agrees and this starts a lifetime of bullying for Lanie. She is tortured by her classmates and even into adulthood. As a 25 year old, she now teaches at the same school that she went to and she lives in the granny house behind her mom. Her life hasn't changed much. Everyone around her is mean to her. She is a upper class gal who lives in the ritzy part of San Fran, but is treated like dirt by everyone around her. Brooks suddenly comes back into her life, but he still looks at her like a little sister. Throughout the book, I kept waiting for the chemistry to start rolling, but it very much felt like a friendship between the two. He really was the only one who treated her kindly and everyone around her constantly made fun of her and I felt very bad for her. She didn't realize she needed to find some real friends, and was complacent in her life and how people treated her because she didn't know any better. I kept hoping some new guy would come charging in because Brooks certainly showed no interest in her other than friendship. She really deserved someone who loved and cherished her. When they did finally get together, it was rushed and felt weird because there was absolutely no hint of it before hand. I feel like Jamie Bennett has potential to be as great an author as Mariana Zapata, but where Zapata has lots of lingering looks and hero actions that are swoon worthy, Bennett doesn't. There's definitely room for growth in her writing style.
July 25, 2019
This book was a real slow burn.
I love that main female character was described as being an ordinary woman, not phenomenally intelligent and beautiful. Distinctively average and lovely.
Loves the relationship between Lanie and Brooks!
I love that main female character was described as being an ordinary woman, not phenomenally intelligent and beautiful. Distinctively average and lovely.
Loves the relationship between Lanie and Brooks!
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October 30, 2019
October 2019 -- 1 Star
Just too much "in her head" thought process. I got lost and interest ...
Just too much "in her head" thought process. I got lost and interest ...
July 9, 2020
This was a really cute slow burn romance. I couldn't put it down once I started.
I've seen a couple people complain about the book... things that for me seem trivial in the overall experience. If you aren't a slow burn fan then you probably won't like this book. But for me this was a really really good read.
I loved the drama and the angst. I loved the characters. I loved how Brook stood up for her on multiple occasions which even gave Lanie the courage to stand up for herself in the end. Boy was it nice in the end to watch her explode on all the people who treated her badly.
Overall I just felt like this was a wonderful experience... and maybe oneday ill reread this as it is definitely going on my favourites list!
Will definitely try more books from this author.
I've seen a couple people complain about the book... things that for me seem trivial in the overall experience. If you aren't a slow burn fan then you probably won't like this book. But for me this was a really really good read.
I loved the drama and the angst. I loved the characters. I loved how Brook stood up for her on multiple occasions which even gave Lanie the courage to stand up for herself in the end. Boy was it nice in the end to watch her explode on all the people who treated her badly.
Overall I just felt like this was a wonderful experience... and maybe oneday ill reread this as it is definitely going on my favourites list!
Will definitely try more books from this author.
November 17, 2022
I am usually a sucker for a story where the woman gets a lot of hard luck.
The opening with Laney "sleeping" with someone was odd. It had no preface for how she came to that scenario. Nonetheless it happens to ruin her life in highschool.
I liked Laney but she sure had an awful mother. Brook's mom, Pamela could have been more helpful.?? Then why is she in book?
Maybe to play off Laney's mom for contrast.
The spider was foreshadowing all along so no surprise for us. Not even necessary.
We don't get Brooks pov and yet we see lots of good in every day life.
Maybe, Coco and mommy dearest (Scarlett, too)were a bit OTT when all Laney wanted to do was be a good kindergarten teacher. That's where I went with the two stars off.
The opening with Laney "sleeping" with someone was odd. It had no preface for how she came to that scenario. Nonetheless it happens to ruin her life in highschool.
I liked Laney but she sure had an awful mother. Brook's mom, Pamela could have been more helpful.?? Then why is she in book?
Maybe to play off Laney's mom for contrast.
The spider was foreshadowing all along so no surprise for us. Not even necessary.
We don't get Brooks pov and yet we see lots of good in every day life.
Maybe, Coco and mommy dearest (Scarlett, too)were a bit OTT when all Laney wanted to do was be a good kindergarten teacher. That's where I went with the two stars off.
June 17, 2023
Rating: 3.25 Stars
POV(s): Single—First Person (FMC)
Relationship: M/F
Genre(s): Contemporary Romance
❥
I liked the story, but as a romance this book flopped. There was zero chemistry between the FMC and MMC. And now that I’m reflecting, I have to say that I found the MMC to be kind of bland.
❥
Title: “The One I'm With” by Jamie Bennett
Interconnected Series: Yes
Standalone: Yes
Cliffhanger: No
HEA:
Triggers: Yes
Tags/Tropes:
➢ Childhood-Companions
➢ Childhood-Crush
➢ Family-Friends
➢ Friends-to-Lovers
➢ Roommates
➢ Slow-Burn
➢ Unrequited-Love
POV(s): Single—First Person (FMC)
Relationship: M/F
Genre(s): Contemporary Romance
❥
I liked the story, but as a romance this book flopped. There was zero chemistry between the FMC and MMC. And now that I’m reflecting, I have to say that I found the MMC to be kind of bland.
❥
Title: “The One I'm With” by Jamie Bennett
Interconnected Series: Yes
Standalone: Yes
Cliffhanger: No
HEA:
Triggers: Yes
Tags/Tropes:
➢ Childhood-Companions
➢ Childhood-Crush
➢ Family-Friends
➢ Friends-to-Lovers
➢ Roommates
➢ Slow-Burn
➢ Unrequited-Love
August 23, 2023
Yet another hard to put down story from this author! A common theme in her books has been heroines who let people walk all over them slowly (slowly!) coming into their own, and this was another one of those. I felt for Lanie in a huge way, to the point I was angry and uncomfortable, but I didn't want to put the book down because I NEEDED to see her finally stand up for herself and get some happiness. Once again, the slow burn romance is in the background (but important) to the heroine's journey, and this one had a lifelong friends-to-lovers/unrequited vibe. There were cameo appearances from Evie and Heath from I Love You Better, very minimal (but read that book too! It was just as great as this one, maybe even better/funner).
October 7, 2023
I wanted to like this book, but the FMC might have her photo next to “doormat” in the dictionary. I couldn’t handle her forever-repressed behavior as a woman in her mid-twenties, and I HATED that she basically lived like a turtle until the MMC came back after gallivanting everywhere. I WANTED the FMC to cut everyone off, even the MMC when she found out about the terms of his loan and then take off and go live in Paris and have a series of relationships with hot French guys. I did like when she finally broke and told people off but it wasn’t enough and even though I’m a stickler for HEAs, I kind of thought living the single life in París was definitely her best option. Sadly, no one consulted me before publishing the book so I was reduced to ranting on Goodreads. /endrant
November 25, 2020
It was just ok
It’s frustrating to read about an adult woman who is so passive about getting abused left and right from everyone in her life. Her only emotion is self pity even though ‘she’s fine with how she is’. At the end when you think she’s finally going to give people a piece of her mind it falls so flat that you don’t get one ounce of satisfaction. I don’t recommend this book to anyone unless you enjoy the protagonist being a willing victim in her own life.
It’s frustrating to read about an adult woman who is so passive about getting abused left and right from everyone in her life. Her only emotion is self pity even though ‘she’s fine with how she is’. At the end when you think she’s finally going to give people a piece of her mind it falls so flat that you don’t get one ounce of satisfaction. I don’t recommend this book to anyone unless you enjoy the protagonist being a willing victim in her own life.
March 7, 2023
The was cute. I was frustrated with Lainey for being so meek and mild. It was annoying she returned to Starhurst to teach after her experience there. I would have fled town forever. People were jerks to her. Brooks made it worth it. She came into her own while being true to herself. She was never a jerk. And for that, I admire her. I saw Brooks fall in love with her for that too.
June 8, 2022
Weak
I just found the entire book weak. Lanie was annoying to read and she jus had never evolved. I was struggling to care about Books at all. It was almost like the author wasn’t feeling them either and just wrapped it up quickly. I struggled to finish it.
I just found the entire book weak. Lanie was annoying to read and she jus had never evolved. I was struggling to care about Books at all. It was almost like the author wasn’t feeling them either and just wrapped it up quickly. I struggled to finish it.
January 11, 2023
happy modern Cinderella
while the heroine is a little hapless, the story has such likability.
I enjoyed the dialogue and story momentum..
it was addictively enjoyable- like most of this authors books.
while the heroine is a little hapless, the story has such likability.
I enjoyed the dialogue and story momentum..
it was addictively enjoyable- like most of this authors books.
June 27, 2025
childhood love
Every single one of Jamie Bennett’s book completely blows me away. They are all different and they are all amazing. No matter what characters personalities she absolutely kills it every time.
Every single one of Jamie Bennett’s book completely blows me away. They are all different and they are all amazing. No matter what characters personalities she absolutely kills it every time.
June 18, 2020
The way people treated Lanie in this book almost made it unreadable but still a great story.
April 19, 2021
Laine (or Lay-me) was ok! But all the drama about when she was at my school was spoke about more than any actual romance!
Not my favourite JB reads!
Not my favourite JB reads!
April 4, 2022
Great story.
December 30, 2020
While I enjoyed The One I’m With, I wish that Lanie had left the area way before she did. There is a happy ending, though.
March 1, 2021
Overall this was good, similar situation to Soft and Low I can’t believe that any twenty something would stay in a situation where she was so badly treated, and put down by a parent.
June 29, 2019
Triumphant, gentle, lovely
Brooks and Lanie have a gentle, friendly love story. Lanie’s whole life she has been harassed and belittled by her mom and classmates through high school. She just accepted it because that was the only reality she knew — though she doesn’t come off as whiny or a victim — I’m not sure how the author pulled that off, but kudos.
While Brooks is a “shining knight” kind of guy, he gives space for Lanie to grow into a more courageous self by cheering her on from the sidelines, and he lets her control the pace of the relationship before she knew he was pursuing her.
This was a well-made story of an insecure girl figuring out how to have faith in herself. The negativity was all from external forces, so she was able to enjoy her life and recognize her successes the whole way through. And when she finally has her moment in the sun, it is so well-earned and a joy to witness.
Brooks and Lanie have a gentle, friendly love story. Lanie’s whole life she has been harassed and belittled by her mom and classmates through high school. She just accepted it because that was the only reality she knew — though she doesn’t come off as whiny or a victim — I’m not sure how the author pulled that off, but kudos.
While Brooks is a “shining knight” kind of guy, he gives space for Lanie to grow into a more courageous self by cheering her on from the sidelines, and he lets her control the pace of the relationship before she knew he was pursuing her.
This was a well-made story of an insecure girl figuring out how to have faith in herself. The negativity was all from external forces, so she was able to enjoy her life and recognize her successes the whole way through. And when she finally has her moment in the sun, it is so well-earned and a joy to witness.
June 28, 2019
I loved this book, but then I’ve read all Jamie Bennett’s books and loved them all. This story is centered around Lainie and Brooks. The characters are beautifully written and the author describes their hang ups, flaws and big hearts perfectly. There are laugh out loud moments as well as moments when Lainie’s experience of school really tugs at your heart. If you like a witty, heartfelt slow burn romance then this is a definite read. I’m so glad that Jamie Bennett write so quickly so we never have to wait too long for the next one. I hope all her books are out in audio soon. Definitely Recommend
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews