The One That I Want by Jennifer Echols

The One That I Want by Jennifer Echols
Release Date: February 7, 2012
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 288

Summary:  Gemma can’t believe her luck when the star football player starts flirting with her. Max is totally swoon-worthy, and even gets her quirky sense of humor. So when he asks out her so-called best friend Addison, Gemma’s heartbroken.

Then Addison pressures Gemma to join the date with one of Max’s friends. But the more time they all spend together, the harder Gemma falls for Max. She can’t help thinking that Max likes her back—it’s just too bad he’s already dating Addison. How can Gemma get the guy she wants without going after her best friend’s boyfriend?

My Thoughts: Best friends Addison and Gemma have been best friends for years, since they were kids. They do everything together, including crushing on the same guy. Gemma and Addison meet two boys from a rival school. Their names are Max and Carter. Addison likes Max right away and expects Gemma to go out with Carter.  Of course Carter isn't the one Gemma has feelings for.

Addison is the snobby, thinks she is better friend. You know the one? The one who puts you down and doesn't even realize it. The one who takes you for granted. Gemma is the nicer one. She's lost a ton of weight previously and had quite low self esteem before that. She now feels a little bit better about herself but she is still struggling with her weight and wants to lose more.

Both girls start dating the boys and complications arise. It seems like Addison always has to compete with Gemma over everything. She walks all over her and treats her like crap in my opinion.

As Gemma spends more time with Max she falls deeply in love with him and doesn't know what to do. All the while, it seems like Max really does like Addison.

We get to experience their dates, their school lives, their sport lives, and family life. This novel had a lot of drama but also a lot of sweet moments.

Max with Addison? Gemma with Carter? Carter with Addison? Or Max with Gemma? How does this story end? Go read the book now!

I love Echols but this is not my favorite book by her. I did enjoy it a lot but I still think I have others as favorites more. I was so excited about this novel to come out and I'm so happy it did and I got the chance to read it. I just didn’t fall in love with this one like I have with others. It was a quick read and I didn’t savor each and every page like usual. But Echols still remains one of my favorite writers.

I won't say much else but if you're already a fan of Echols, don't forget to go pick up her latest release, The One That I Want.

Overall: Really did love this one, it was a quick read, and spunky. Not one of my absolute favorites by her but still an awesome novel. And Gemma was a great main character and I liked all of her other friends, and her personality in general.

Cover: I really like the cover but I just don't see either Max or Gemma looking like these characters. He doesn't look asian either. lol

What I'd Give It: