Review: Love me some John Boy ;)
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 10 9, 2013
What can I say about The Only One? How long have you got? I could talk about Mel and John Boy from Sunrise to Sunset!Magan Vernon is fast becoming one of my favourite New Adult authors. I think my favourite thing about Magan's New Adult novels (aside from the hot guys and kick ass girls) is the relevance of the stories. Not only do we get a hot romance but we also get real life issues that can raise awareness and help people. I really liked that about The Only exception and it continues in The Only One. Magan can make fun, flirty books without having them be ridiculously unrealistic, there are no virgins having 6 orgasms during their first time here, or any other questionable scenario. I can relate to these types of stories because I can believe them to be true as they aren't sensationalised for the sake of entertainment yet the story still maintains that fun, sexy edge.Mel is Monica's friend from The Only Exception so the good news is we get more Trey and Monica in this book too :) It's at a frat party Mel comes nose to chest with a partially naked John Boy with only a loin cloth covering his modesty. Of course Monica intervenes straight away and tells Mel not to go there. John Boy is a player and will break her heart. But it wouldn't be much of a story if Mel listened to her best friend would it now?And of course John Boy received the same warning. Mel is deemed too nice for his player reputation. Too late for warnings though, John Boy already had Mel within his sight. So lots of flirting and teasing ensues but before things can really take off Mel receives some news that turns her world upside down.Even though John Boy is insanely hot, cheeky and downright delectable it really is Melanie who is the star of the show. I loved her. In my reviews I bang on about strong females, for me to enjoy a character and connect with them I need a little more than air between their ears. Melanie is one cool chick. I love the way Magan makes all her female characters relatable, I could so be friends with Mel, her insecurities are there but she doesn't drone on or say woe is me, she worries about them naturally, as much as the next girl.Now the story line itself, is an important one and I won't go into great detail as you need to read it for yourself but the independent woman in me was fist pumping with joy for the fact that it was being addressed in an NA novel as I think every young adult to new to old should read this book! These are issues I feel passionate about and I can say it flowed effortlessly, it wasn't a barrage of information to overwhelm the reader, but it was honest and thought provoking. The information was well planned out and you could tell it was thoroughly researched, it was really well done. I know a lot of people already who are going to love this book for that reason alone!!Now to my favourite subject.... Let's talk about John Boy shall we?I freaking loved him!! Like hard. I loved that he wasn't your clichéd bad boy. He's was charmer alright but then we soon seen he was more than that. He is what he is, he's not making promises to change for Mel but he found himself wanting to be a better person because of her and wanting to be a better person for himself. Again I found this to be believable.I love Magan's writing, I really do. The Only One went in so quick for me, I planned to read a chapter or two and before I realised it was hours later and the end was near. Overall I loved the realism. I believed absolutely everything. From Mel's journey, the aftermath and even John Boy's flaws, he can't be too perfect and I love him more the way he is.Now chapter 14... Oh my cherry pie. Is it just me or it it hot in here?? I love the fact the relationship was slowly building (and fizzing and crackling) because another of my pet hates is instalove and that doesn't have a place here.I can't finish my review without mentioning Mel's sister Val. Val was a secondary character that really stood out for me. I think I laughed at every word she said! I loved that she was the comic relief when Mel needed it most but she also kept things real and told Mel hard truths even when she didn't want to hear them. My favourite scene between Mel and Val was when Val started talking to Mel whilst she was in the shower, it was hilarious and it made me I wish I had a sister for all the fun crazy chat. The great news is Val is getting a little something of her own soon and this makes me so happy!!Now if for some crazy reason you do not love John Boy in the first 60% (impossible because he's so swoon worthy) then OMG just wait until 'Mel's situation' and what comes after; it's full on panty throwing, puddle of goo, fetal position rocking action kinda love for that boy! I loved him throughout Mel's ordeal, he showed up even when she didn't want him to but really she secretly did. The whole aftermath was probably one of my favourite parts of the book. I really liked the detail and reality of Mel's experience and how it was portrayed and then John Boy and his sweetness afterwards was just the icing on the cake!I really enjoyed The Only One. I can't say that enough, I loved the whole topic and raising awareness of it. Magan writes to entertain us and allows us to escape from reality but at the same time an important message is highlighted. You will certainly love the characters, their chemistry and smexy times. Yes you will laugh and cry simultaneously but it will also make you pause for thought and I think that is the perfect combination for a New Adult story. ~Ava