Book Report: The One & Only
What’s The Buzz?: Emily Giffin is probably one of the most recognizable names in ‘chick lit’ out there. Known for her ability to create dynamic, complex characters and she light on some truly tricky and often forbidden romances (as is the case here), this is Giffin’s seventh, eagerly anticipated book.
What’s The Plot?: Shea is a good ol’ fashioned Texas girl: she lives in a small college town where football reigns supreme, drinks whiskey and beer on the regular, and pretty much lives, eats and breathes sports. Although Shea had a complicated childhood, she found solace with her best friend Lucy’s family: the formidable Connie and her husband Clive, who also happens to be the revered coach of the town’s wildly successful football team. But when the family matriarch passes away, Shea finds her own world upended as she begins to question what she really wants out of her romantic, familial and professional lives. As she explores new paths – including a romance with a celebrity football player – she begins to realize that the thing she wants the most may be forever out of her grasp. I’m being a little vague here because really, the book jacket description is equally vague. It doesn’t even mention Lucy’s mother dying, which is established on page one! In some ways, this is a book where the element of surprise requires me not to say too, too much about the plot.
Beach Read Potential?: Emily Giffin and ‘beach read’ are generally pretty synonymous with one another. Although the ocean is nowhere in sight in this cozy novel, it’s the type of story that’s easy to dive in and out of as you relax on the sand or in the hammock. As with all of Emily Giffin’s novels, it’s incredibly easy to read and you’ll probably whip through it in no time.
So…Football?: I know. It was a bit of a surprise to see Giffin – who normally sets her stories in urban centres like New York – take a turn to the country fried south. While a few southern stereotypes wiggle their way in, ultimately Shea and her best friend Lucy are modern, independent women with career ambitions and no nonsense attitudes. For Canadians, I’ll admit, the story is bookended by quite a lot of football talk, and the hullaballoo around the Walker football program and Shea’s idolatry of Coach Carr may feel a bit confounding, but ultimately the story is still plenty readable, regardless of how you feel about ‘America’s game’. The sporty angle didn’t make this the highest-ranking Emily Giffin book in my mind, but it’s actually sort of a neat hybrid for those tomboys that feel weird reading chick lit.
Who Should Read This Book?: I anticipate Emily Giffin fans will be quick to snap this one up (if they haven’t already), but this is also an ideal pick for any girly girl with a sporty side, or vice versa, tomboy that wants to get in touch with her girly self. Also, there are plenty of parallels to Friday Night Lights, so if you enjoyed that, you may want to give this one a whirl.
The One & Only is available at fine booksellers
1) Tell me in the comments below by July 22, 2014 – Why do you want to read The One & Only?
2) Entries are limited to one per person / per email address / per household (or more if you score bonus entries). A random draw will be conducted on or around July 23, 2014 to select the winner(s), who will have 48 hours to respond before another winner is chosen in their place.
3) Entries are limited to Canadians that have reached the age of majority in their province. Quebec is not eligible for this promotion.
4) Bonus Entry: Follow Random House of Canada on Twitter, tag them and me (@cdngiftguide) in a Tweet about why this sporty read should be stashed in your beach bag this summer! Post a link to your Tweet below to earn yourself an extra entry into the draw.
5) Bonus Entry #2: Add this book to your to-read list on GoodReads, and leave a link back to the page it’s on below to earn yourself another bonus entry.
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[…] of summertime treats, why not earn another bonus entry into my The One & Only beach reads giveaway? It’s your last chance! Tell me in the comments below: What’s your […]
Canadian Gift Guide 
Sounds like the perfect read for my upcoming vacation, I’m always on the lookout for a new author.
Romance AND sports!!?? This is just the book for this girlie tomboy:)
I love an easy read for summertime & this one sounds perfect.
I have a new deck I can sit on and read in the sun! I need a new book 🙂
I love Emily Giffin novels and I am sure this one will be a great read.
Sounds like just the best read for lazy summer days.
I watch NFL football and would enjoy a book with football overtones.
Looks like a great vacation read!
My Daughter Kalea absolutely loves books
Sounds like the perfect beach read to me!
I am a big Emily Giffin fan.
I need a new book to read while on vacation. Sounds like a great one!
I am a fan of the author.
Love to read. This book sounds really interesting – would love to win a copy!
I’d like to read this because I have enjoyed her other books.
I need a new summer read for the lake.
Sounds like the perfect book for where I am in my life right now.
would love to read this book
it looks like a great summer read
My wife loves to to read 24/7 this would be nice gift for her…
I really enjoyed a few of her other books.
I am not a big reader of chick lit but I would like to read something light and fun this summer so I think this tomboy might like this one!
I follow on twitter as @suekitty13
My tweet: https://twitter.com/suekitty13/status/485253569956691969
My goodreads TBR shelf: https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/21502628?page=63&shelf=to-read
lots of time to read this summer and would love to read this book!
I would like to read this because I love Emily’s other books
Jonnie
Sounds like a great book to read. I think my wife would love this better than I so I would love to win this for her.
Because I absolutely love all of Emily Giffin’s novels!
I love Emily Giffin books!
Always up for interesting read & unknown writers
I want to read The ONe and Only because I think it would be a great camping read!
Sounds like an interesting read and I will really enjoy sitting on my patio reading this book.
she is a fantastic author and this would make a great summer read, thanks
I know she is a good writer.
It sounds like a great vacation read.
I haven’t read ant books in the last year, but I’ve read a lot of Emily Griffins books in the past so,I’d,love this for a good summer read!
Because I love Emily Giffin’s novels!
I love reading and I’m always trying to find new authors whose writing I’ll like.