Book Review: You're the One That I Want by Giovanna Fletcher

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You're the One That I Want
Author: Giovanna Fletcher
Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Romance
Release Date: April 25th 2017
Review Source: St. Martin's Press

In this charming and exciting women’s fiction novel, Giovanna Fletcher explores the complicated relationship between three friends—Maddy, her fiancé Rob, and their best friend Ben.

Maddy, dressed in white, stands at the back of the church. At the end of the aisle is Rob—the man she’s about to marry. Next to Rob is Ben—best man and the best friend anyone could ever have. And that’s the problem. Because if it wasn’t Rob waiting for her at the altar, there’s a strong chance it would be Ben. Loyal and sensitive, Ben has always kept his feelings to himself, but if he told Maddy she was making a mistake, would she listen? And would he be right?

Best friends since childhood, Maddy, Ben, and Rob thought their bond was unbreakable. But love changes everything. Maddy has a choice to make, but will she choose wisely? Her heart, and the hearts of the two best men she knows, depend on it... Romantic, suspenseful, and a whole lot of fun, You’re the One That I Want is a great read about friendship, love, and the decisions that we make.

You’re The One That I Want is a heart wrenching tale of an unbreakable bond between three best friends who grew up together in Peaswood, UK.

The trio have known each other since primary school, where Maddy caught the attention of best friends Robert and Ben. The boys were keen to include her in everything they did and were inseparable as the years went by. It wasn’t until the trio got older that feelings came into play.

The book really picks up after a school trip to Paris where a relationship surprisingly blossoms between Maddy and one of the boys. Unaware at the time, both boys had developed feelings towards Maddy, and one of the boys must now keep his love for her bottled up for the sake of their friendship. This revelation stuns everyone involved and will directly affect the trio as friendships are tested and hearts are broken throughout the years.

I had a hard time getting into this book towards the beginning, but once the Paris trip took place, it was a breeze. It was full of suspension to know who Maddy will end up with when all was said and done. I enjoyed how the book is split 50% in-between the perspective of Maddy and Ben, although I sometimes wondered what Robert was thinking at times and would’ve enjoyed reading his POV as well.

Overall I enjoyed reading this book and thought it would of have been a light read, which it was and wasn’t. It’s packed full of complex emotions from two different POV’s which added to the sometimes lacking substance of a storyline. What drew me into the storyline was the tight friendship this trio have. They truly care about each other and went to great lengths to protect it.  

Jessica