Title: The One That I Want
Author: Jennifer Echols
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Publication Date: February 2012
Genre: Young Adult Contemporary Fiction
Series or Stand Alone: Stand Alone
Synopsis can be found here.
Review:
Gemma is shocked to find a star football player flirting with her. Sure, he’s on the rival team, but Max has a spark to him Gemma can’t ignore. Then, Gemma’s best friend Addison tells Gemma Max has asked her out. Gemma can’t believe it, wasn’t Max flirting with her?
Wires are crossed and jealousies are revealed as Gemma and Max confront their feelings, and their relationships.
It is a love story, a comedy of errors. But the main relationship that took center stage for me was Addison and Gemma’s friendship. They are definite friend-emies. Through most of the story, I was enraged at Addison’s treatment of Gemma. However, I was even more upset by how Gemma allowed herself to be bullied. We’ve all been there- in a relationship that wasn’t healthy for us, but had become habit. The back handed compliments, the fake sugared smile that said “Only kidding!”, though not really.
Addison is obviously a mean girl. I would have liked to see more from her side of things, instead of just general catty and bitchiness. She seems like she has more layers that are waiting to be explored. Finally, Max. Max, a Japanese kicker, is vulnerable, sensitive and a fish out of water. A star football player can be picked on and bullied too. I enjoyed his conversations with Gemma, the tension, the opening up. And thank you Ms. Echols for including a multi-racial relationship. The depth and identities of Gemma and Max become more layered given their backgrounds.
Max has his own problems too, namely with his friend Carter, who starts to date Gemma. I loved Max’s observations of people and his way of saying things that got him into trouble. A perfect compliment to the girl with purple hair!
The story is about love, love for Max someone she can’t have. Love for her best friend, and the complications in that friendship. Most of all, love for Gemma herself. It’s her book and her journey. From her relationship with food, to her mother to building confidence to go after what she really wants in life.
You can find Jennifer here or follow her via twitter! @JenniferEchols
great review and lovely interview. i haven’t read one of jennifer’s books yet but she is high on my list to read. i don’t like my potatoes with spicy batter either. ew.