The One & Only

A Novel

By: Emily Giffin

Narrated by: Sofia Willingham

Length: 14 hrs and 58 mins

Publisher's summary

In her eagerly awaited new novel, beloved New York Times best-selling author Emily Giffin returns with an extraordinary story of love and loyalty - and an unconventional heroine struggling to reconcile both.

Thirty-three-year-old Shea Rigsby has spent her entire life in Walker, Texas - a small college town that lives and dies by football, a passion she unabashedly shares. Raised alongside her best friend, Lucy, the daughter of Walker’s legendary head coach, Clive Carr, Shea was too devoted to her hometown team to leave. Instead she stayed in Walker for college, even taking a job in the university athletic department after graduation, where she has remained for more than a decade.

But when an unexpected tragedy strikes the tight-knit Walker community, Shea’s comfortable world is upended, and she begins to wonder if the life she’s chosen is really enough for her. As she finally gives up her safety net to set out on an unexpected path, Shea discovers unsettling truths about the people and things she has always trusted most - and is forced to confront her deepest desires, fears, and secrets.

Thoughtful, funny, and brilliantly observed, The One & Only is a luminous novel about finding your passion, following your heart, and, most of all, believing in something bigger than yourself...the one and only thing that truly makes life worth living.

©2014 Emily Giffin (P)2014 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"Giffin's writing is true, smart, and heartfelt." ( Entertainment Weekly)

"A dependably down-to-earth, girl-friendly storyteller." ( The New York Times)

"When it comes to writing stories that resonate with real women, best-selling author Emily Giffin has hit her stride." ( San Francisco Chronicle)

Twisted love story with a lot of football

Not sure I liked the ending but maybe there will be a sequel to finish off the love story.

You will love all her books.

Emily Giffin is one of the best writers. Her books are great reading; just pure entertainment without having to think too hard. I’ve got her books on my come, audible and paperback. I can’t put her down!

Not sure I can finish

As much as I love Emily Giffin books, this one just felt wrong. I am 3/4 the way through the book and am realizing that it never gets any better for me, so probably won't finish. I was not a fan of the narrator and I found I really couldn't like the main character very much! Without giving the plot away, this book just felt wrong and creepy to me. Wish she would write another book closer to feel of her previous books

Least favorite book

This was my least favorite book by Emily Giffin. The storyline was just creepy. And it was TOO much football and I love me some football! The narrator was not my cup of tea. I had to speed the book up to 1.5x just to get through it. Hoping this is just a fluke book. I normally adore her writing!!

great read!

Very relatable, sucked me in right away, I couldn't stop listening.

Sometimes had a hard time knowing when a man was talking, but overall it was good.

Fabulous Narration, Painful Plot

Is there anything you would change about this book?

Yes, the relationship between Shea and Coach Carr was uncomfortable to say the least. The shift in relationship between hero worshiper and worshipee was very muddled, and not only uncomfortable but unbelievable as viable.

If you’ve listened to books by Emily Giffin before, how does this one compare?

I've enjoyed others, but this was not my favorite. I always enjoy Giffin's "happy" or hopeful endings, but this was a hollow ending.

What does Sofia Willingham bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Her voice had a calm, pleasing tone. I appreciated that her Texas accent wasn't overdone and therefore not annoying. North Texans don't normally have a strong accent, so this was authentic. My only complaint for her narration was the annoying voice of Caroline, Lucy's daughter - who seemed to only have one way to speak - whining.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

No. I think this story would only be more disturbing if it was on the big screen.

Any additional comments?

I felt that the characters were not well-developed, nor were the relationships. My favorite character was actually Miller, the ex-boyfriend of Shea, as he seemed the most authentic.

Escape to another place and time.

Where does The One & Only rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

It so happens that this audiobook is my first, as well as the one and only. But, if you want to ride along into another place and time filled with emotion and characters that live within a beautifully written atmosphere, then I definitely recommend that this is...the one, for you too.

What did you like best about this story?

I like the way Emily so often surrounds the characters with their own creative setting.

What about Sofia Willingham’s performance did you like?

The softness of her tone and delivery suited the story very nicely.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, but I had to stop for food, gas and a little sleep along the way.

Small town

Complicated relationships in a football town. I liked the way the characters fell together, in a town where everyone knows your business.

Review with some spoilers

I read a great independent review of the book then second guessed myself reading some of the audible reviews. I thought it was a well written book. It kept my interest. I thought the characters were well developed. It was a little slow to me in the beginning but maybe I was being over- critical because of some reviews but definitely mid to end of the book was excited to keep listening even though I had figured out how it would probably end. In response to some other reviews. I honestly would’ve never noticed the he said she said and felt like the narrator was trying to downplay them being obligated to include them in the narrative. She seemed to go back to her normal voice and say them a bit quieter maybe making them stand out but it didn’t bother me. I am from the general region of this book so I grew up around high school and college football and I enjoy a good game but it’s definitely not my life and I don’t know a bunch of stats or facts. The talk of football did not take away from the book for me at all. Regarding her relationship with the coach. I’m totally ok with the age difference and maybe even a friends dad. The part that had me a bit cringing was that he was a father figure in her young life. However it’s a story and I don’t think a story has to be politically correct to be good. All types of situations and relationships exist in this world and should be able to be told without being judged for their existence alone. The author approached it I thought with a respectful and interesting perspective. I definitely enjoyed the book and am glad I listened.

I Have a Love/not like relationship with Giffen

Some of her books just go right to your insides. I so looked forward to this release. I had to fast forward and then the ending was like others have said unfinished. This books is not worthy of her talent and this narrator didn't do the book any favors.