Review: One and Only, Jenny Holiday

Jenny Holiday’s One and Only is a sweet contemporary romance that lets both of its main characters have meaningful emotional arcs.

One and Only deserves two adjectives to match its title, and the ones that come to mind for this writer are sweet and self-aware, to preserve the alliteration. This reviewer was sent a digital copy, and even in digital form, it is not long, but those two qualities shine throughout Jenny Holiday’s latest and inaugural Bridesmaids Behaving Badly novel.

Our heroine is Jane Denning; our hero, Cameron MacKinnon. If those names sound distinctly different, they should. Cameron definitely has a naughty streak to him (and even wears a plaid tie, because of course he wears a plaid tie). Jane, while also a fantasy writer, is certainly more in control of herself, admittedly with a geeky side. It’s a common pairing — the uptight and the not-so-uptight — in romance, but it’s common because it works so, so well. Neither Cameron nor Jane are really posed to like the other thanks to the circumstances of their meeting, but they just have something that’s irresistible to the other.

Admittedly, this reviewer was impressed by how responsible these two initially reluctant lovebirds were when it came time to do the deeds, which make some people frown upon reading romance at all. Normally it’s all about how they can’t wait any longer, and Holiday incorporates that, but these two actually stop and model some safe behaviors! (Oh, and then they proceed to do the deed. Of course.) It’s a little thing, but it stuck out while reading.

Naturally, the two each have something to overcome when it comes to entering into a real relationship instead of parting after the wedding that’s brought them together. For Cameron, it’s years of a reputation for not being the most responsible, ironically enough. For Jane, it’s being too responsible. They somehow fit together and make each other want to be better people — but it’s not solely for each other, either, and that’s a strength of the book, too.

I say that this book is self-aware because of some of the dialogue choices Holiday makes, but there’s another reason, as well. Jane in particular is not your standard romantic heroine. Cameron initially isn’t impressed with her, but finds her more attractive as the story goes on.

Notably, she doesn’t need a makeover to accomplish this. (She does get dressed up for a rehearsal dinner.) It just happens naturally. Moreover, she’s a writer of fantasy and actually cosplays in the novel. It leads to a moderately ridiculous outcome, but that’s a very minor quibble all in all. Besides, grand gestures are part and parcel with the genre at this point.

Additionally, the book allows Jane to have friendships and close relationships with people who aren’t Cameron. (Cameron, not so much, but he works on it.) Indeed, her fellow bridesmaids and the bride actually have distinct characters of their own, with Wendy being the most obvious. (A peek at Holiday’s site shows that Wendy will star in the next book.)

Next: Review: Witch Creek, Laura Bickle

So should you pick up One and Only? Whether it’s your first contemporary romance or your fifth or your you-don’t-even-know-which, the answer is probably yes. It’s light and enjoyable — perfect to help kick off spring when it comes to reading.