Book Review: One and Only

One & Only by Maurene Goo will be released on Feb 3, 2026.

One & Only by Maurene Goo has everything readers love about a classic rom-com: the romance, the humor, even the physical comedy and a meet-cute that you won’t forget. Cass helps to run a family matchmaking business that is not typical, but is very, very successful. The reason their matches always work out is that their matchmaking comes with a hint of magic. Cass can read faces and she has visions of her clients meeting their “fated” matches in a past life.

Cass has known the name of her fated match, Daniel, for almost ten years, yet she hasn’t been able to find him. She is mostly happy with her life, yet now that she is staring down 40, she knows she wants to find true love soon and have children. A bike accident helps her cross paths with a cute landscape architect, the young, the hot, Ellis who always seems to be there every moment she might need him. Yet Cass is in complete shock when she goes on her birthday trip to the desert and Ellis is there too, with his work retreat…and his boss is Daniel. The Daniel. Her fated match. But what if Ellis is her true love in this lifetime?

My Thoughts

As I was reading, I was definitely fan-casting for a future film adaptation and picturing Ellis played by Hudson Williams from Heated Rivalry. He would be perfect for the role! Get to work, casting directors!

The dialogue and banter were so hilarious! One & Only had some of the funniest, most well-written dialogue I have ever read, whether Cass was talking to her friends, family, co-workers, or romantic interests. The writing style and voice were perfect for me! Although much of the book was romantic and humorous, there were also deeper themes, related to finding your true love, trusting your family, and becoming who you want to be, along with Cass dealing with her mother’s death from years ago and how her family dealt and still deals with their grief. I loved that the Park family was a strong, matriarchal family where they were always supporting and protecting each other.

 One & Only is a contemporary romance that you will not want to put down! I highly recommend it!

Thank you to Putnam and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.