The One For You by Roni Loren

Category: Contemporary romance
Publication date: 12/31/2019
Kindle Unlimited: No
Cliffhanger: No

I can’t even stress enough how much I ADORE this series.

via GIPHY

Plot overview: Old friends (and high-school shooting survivors) Kincaid and Ashton reconnect after years apart. But Ash has a few secrets that could change things with Kincaid forever.           
       
So, first of all, while this book can be read as a standalone, I HIGHLY recommend that you read the other books in the series first so that you can really get a feel for what these characters have gone through and how much they’ve grown emotionally. Here’s the reading order:

Kincaid is a GREAT heroine. She’s a little messed up from having lost her high school boyfriend, who she considered the love of her life, during the shooting, but it hasn’t held her back from living a great life. Sure, she has some trouble opening herself up to the possibility of a new love, but she also doesn’t sit around wallowing in despair and self-pity. She’s a true survivor, and as a romance heroine, she’s really inspiring. 

Ash is a PHENOMENAL hero. He’s grumpy and a little anti-social (two of my all-time favorite romance hero qualities), and he’s hopelessly in love with Kincaid. If you’re a fan of unrequited love (and hey, who isn’t?) Ash will positively break your heart. And to make matters more complicated for him, he’s been holding on to some secrets about the “love” of Kincaid’s life that could change everything for both of them. He’s kept the secrets to himself because while spilling them could make his life better, it’d hurt Kincaid, and he can’t bring himself to do that. Dreamy sigh. I adored him.

The female friendships depicted in this series are nothing short of perfection. The women here are supportive and smart and successful. And each book passes the Bechdel test, which isn’t as easy to find in Romancelandia as you might think.   

For anyone worried that reading about school shooting survivors would be depressing, don’t let that stop you from reading this series. It’s a highly emotional topic, but the focus of these books is on the survivors. They’re not victims; they’re survivors. You’ll just have to trust me when I say it’s an inspiring series, not a depressing one.          

Honestly, I have no idea why you’re still reading this review. Buy the book! You won’t regret it.     
 
Does this book contribute to or help crush the romance stigma?
It absolutely CRUSHES the stigma.

More super fabulous reading suggestions

Romance heroines with inspiring inner strength

Great romances that also feature healthy, awesome female friendships

The ULTIMATE friends-to-lovers romance reading list (for now)