THE ONE IN MY HEART is the first contemporary romance published by Sherry Thomas. Thomas is best known for her amazing historical romances and her equally fantastic young adult fantasy. I was dismayed to hear from another reviewer on Goodreads that Thomas said this would be her only contemporary romance, but when I tweeted to her to plead, "say it ain't so!", she replied that she changed her mind and will be writing more (throws confetti).

This is not a book for sticklers about believability. Bennett is a physician doing his final year of training as a cardiothoracic surgeon. He's extremely wealthy, very fit, working massive hours at the hospital that get token mention, yet has lots of time to lavish on Eva. There's a fake engagement that turns into a real marriage because, hello, this is a romance. The fake engagement has a kind of creepy reason, but I can roll with it. There are some major surprise twists that crank up the tension, which I adore.

But, oh, the angst. Both Bennett and Eva have so many thorny issues that have gnarled their hearts almost beyond recognition. The stutteringly slow opening up of Eva's barricaded heart to Bennett's love makes me cry repeatedly while gripping my Kindle tightly in sweaty hands, yearning for them to be fully together and fully happy. I highlighted the bejesus out of this book because there are so many lyrically beautiful passages and lots of rompy fun dialogue too.

THE ONE IN MY HEART is one of my two favorite books of 2015 to date (I read this in mid-July), and this one book easily makes my Keeper shelf. It joins TRADE ME, another sparkling contemporary romance by Courtney Milan, who also usually writes historical romance. I'm sensing a trend here!

With THE ONE IN MY HEART, Thomas proves she can not only dominate the historical romance and fantasy genres, but can also bring it in the contemporary ring. Now the hard part will be waiting until she publishes her next contemporary romance for me to gobble up with a gleam in my eye.

Book Summary

Bestselling historical romance author Sherry Thomas branches out with her first contemporary romance about a chance meeting a lifetime in the making, and an all-consuming affair without a single predictable moment.

When Evangeline Canterbury meets the gorgeous, intriguing doctor next door, all she wants from him is a bit of distraction, to help her get over a few rough days.

Her one-night stand, however, has other plans: He needs an accomplished and presentable girlfriend to bring before his parents--and for six months of her time, he is willing and prepared to spend an obscene amount of money.

Nothing but trouble can come of such an arrangement. But can Eva stop herself? Or will she fall headlong in love with a man who will leave her when their contract expires with a smile, a check, and hardly a backward glance?

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