REVIEW: One and Only by Karla Sorensen

In One and Only by Karla Sorensen, Some people say they will do anything for their family–and some actually mean it. Greer Wilder is one of those people who will do everything in her power to make sure that her ailing father gets his final wish: to walk one of his daughters down the aisle. After a few terrible dates to find a guy she can tolerate long enough to marry for a year or so, Greer sticks her foot in her mouth in front of her brother’s teammate, Beckett Coleman. The football player has a problem of his own that would likely be solved by them at least fake dating, if not entering into a marriage of convenience. And Greer is more than willing to play along for the sake of her father as well as Beckett’s six-year-old daughter, Olive.

Beckett would give anything to be able to spend more than a couple of weekends a month with his adorable daughter. So, when Greer explains why she needs a fake boyfriend or fiancé, the wheels start turning. They could help each other for a while, and no one would get hurt considering neither of them are looking for something real to last. Beckett isn’t one to lie. And he definitely isn’t one to go into things without a well-thought-out plan in place. But when he sees Greer with Olive, how patient and kind she is–as well as how Olive opens up around Greer–he decides to go for it. But neither of them expected the simmering attraction between them to be so difficult to overlook. And Beckett certainly didn’t think he’d enjoy Greer’s huge family so much when they accepted him as one of their own. It leaves him to wonder how it will all work out when he and Greer eventually call it quits.

“Haven’t you ever had someone you love so much that you’d risk *anything* to bring them happiness?”
I closed my eyes and breathed out through my nose. “Yes.”
Behind my closed eyes, it was Olive’s face I saw.
It was always her.

The start of a new series by Karla Sorensen, ONE AND ONLY was a slow burn, opposites attract, fake relationship romance that was utterly swoon-worthy. I fell quickly and easily for not just the main characters, Greer and Beckett, but also for every single one of their family and friends. The ensemble scenes were perfect. Sorensen brough all the chaos, love, bickering, and joy into those moments, which felt like a big literary hug. And even though Beckett and Greer made some frustrating choices along the way, knowing that they were wonderful people at their core–doing the best they could for their loved ones–made me cheer them on even more.

Complicated is an understatement when Greer and Beckett decided they could help each other by entering into a fake relationship and then a marriage of convenience. Greer’s (terminally ill) father would get to walk her down the aisle. Beckett would have a partner to be there to take care of his six-year-old daughter Olive during football season. Of course, with their immediate attraction and forced proximity, it was nearly inevitable that they would fall in love. Sorensen kept things subtle for most of the book–I’m talking slooooow burn. But it felt right, given their situation. And wow didn’t it make for intense fireworks when Beckett and Greer finally gave in.

TROPES/VIBES:

• Fake relationship/marriage
• Opposites attract
• Slow burn
• Single dad
• Awkward(ly funny) meet cute

CW: View Spoiler »Terminal illness (somewhat detailed), anxiety « Hide Spoiler

Karla Sorensen wrote a romance to remember in ONE AND ONLY. I think readers will enjoy watching a thoughtful hero who will do anything for his amazing daughter and a fiercely loyal, whirlwind of a heroine with the best of intentions find their match in the most unexpected way.

QOTD: Have you read anything from Karla Sorensen’s backlist? If so, any favorite books to recommend?
 

Book Info:

Publication: Published: March 17th, 2026 |  Sourcebooks Casablanca | Wilder Family #1

You are cordially invited to my fake wedding.

Marrying Beckett Coleman is the best idea I’ve had in years. I can grant my sick dad’s wish to walk one of his daughters down the aisle, and Beckett has my help solving a custody situation with his daughter. Our plan is to spend a year together, then part ways. Easy, especially since I’m not his type, and he’s not mine either.

He’s too quiet and too serious. And while he’s distractingly gorgeous, he’s also my brother’s teammate. Beckett is fake husband material, not the real deal. I just have to remember that.

Until I move in with him. Get to know him. Share a bed with him. Turns out, the line between fake and real isn’t just blurry, it’s almost impossible to uphold when he looks at me the way he does.

This marriage is a whole lot more complicated than we bargained for. We’re threatening to destroy everything we’ve built, something neither of us can risk.

Marrying Beckett might’ve been the best idea in years. But falling in love with him would be the worst.