Title: My Only One
Author: Charlotte O’Shay
Genre: Contemporary Romantic Suspense
Book Blurb:
The first standalone story of the Fortunato Family series is a friends-to-lovers romantic suspense that’s chock full of feels.
Esme:
We grew up in side by side New York City tenements. Shane was my first friend, my first crush, and when he enlisted, my first devastating heartbreak. When fate brings us back together after ten years, I’m in a world of danger. But I’m not a kid anymore. We’ve got a second chance at forever and there’s no way I’ll lose him again.
Shane:
Brilliant, beautiful, bound for success, Esme was the girl next door and a temptation I had to resist. I was too old for her, but I couldn’t forget her. When we meet again after ten long years, she’s in the crosshairs of a deadly drug kingpin. But I wear a badge now. Nothing will stop me from protecting the woman who claimed me—heart and soul—so long ago. I’ll keep Esme safe or die trying.
My Review:
A father does the unthinkable, leaving Esme on the run from the cartel, right into the arms of the only man she’s ever loved. After her mother’s death, Esme and her father have stacks of unpaid medical bills and drowning in debt. Esme learns her father took money from the cartel, more specifically the neighborhood drug kingpin, who wants their money right now. Her father makes a deal, offering Esme as payment, only Esme doesn’t agree and is on the run when she hears a voice from her past. Shane, the boy next door, her first love, her first heartbreak, is back in her life, offering to help keep her safe. He swears he would rather die than see her in the clutches of the cartel. Can Esme stay one step ahead of the cartel and give in to love with Shane or will she sacrifice her own happiness to save those she loves?
My Only One is a riveting romantic suspense set in the heart of Manhattan. From the very first page, I knew I was in for an emotional read. The descriptive narration was very detailed and Charlotte O’Shay immersed the reader into the story. Esme was a wonderful character and the deep POV allowed me to delve deep into her psyche. Shane was a hero among heroes and he’s very much your next book boyfriend. No, he’s not perfect but his flaws add such depth to his character, you can’t help but fall in love. The plot moves at a nice easy pace in the beginning then speeds up the further you get into the story. There’s plenty of romance and it’s one of my favorite tropes: friends to lovers second chance romance. Charlotte O’Shay is a brilliant romance writer whose talent is on display in this book. There’s a desperate undercurrent that plays off the suspense subplot really well. The suspense subplot is spot-on with plenty of twists to the plot, some I didn’t see coming. If you’re a romantic suspense reader, pick up My Only One. If you’re looking for a fresh take on romantic suspense, you’ll love My Only One. A terrific start to the series, I can’t wait for the next installment. Highly recommend!
My Rating: 5 stars
Buy it Now:
Author Biography:
There's only one thing best-selling, award-winning author Charlotte O'Shay loves more than reading steamy, page-turning, romance where happily ever after always wins. Writing them.
Charlotte believes home is where the heart is and hers is in NYC. She lives with Mac, her IRL hero, 2 subway stops from her childhood neighborhood, where walks along the Hudson River serve up fresh story ideas every day.
Social Media Links:
Reviewed by: Mrs. N