Title: Your One & Only
Author: Adrianne Finlay
Rating: ★★★★

ARC received through NetGalley.

If you’re looking for a unique YA Dystopian story with excellent execution, skillful writing, and great characters, look no further than Your One & Only. What seems like would be a typical YA Sci-Fi novel, rife with tropes and romance-heavy, Your One & Only actually focuses on plot and character growth, with the romance riding shotgun, much to my pleasant surprise. 

The concept is so intriguing and refreshing that it was not hard to get into the book. The plot was fast-paced and had a lot going on that it was difficult for me to stop turning the pages. Adrianne Finlay did a great job with the world-building and the scientific aspects of the story. The characters she created were well-written, compelling, and believable. I especially loved Jack and reading from his POV. His loneliness and struggles were portrayed in a heartbreakingly real way, and I easily sympathized with his character. I felt particularly horrible for him after the “prank” with the Nylas. I really enjoyed watching the way the relationship between Jack and Althea-310 unfolded and developed over time. 

There was just one tiny issued that bothered me, and it’s more just me being nitpicky, but I was a little disappointed that there was no romantic love scene between Jack and Althea. Considering how much time was spent in the book talking about and mentioning Pairing, I was really surprised a scene wasn’t included to contrast both Jack’s and Althea’s previous experiences (Althea having only participated in Pairings, Jack’s misconception and deception with the Nylas) with feelings of love and desire of being with each other. It seems like a missed opportunity to showcase an important parallel for the characters.

As a standalone, the book wraps up nicely with a slight open ending that allows the reader to feel content, but also creates the question of whether more may follow. (Adrianne Finlay, if you are reading this review, I wouldn’t mind a sequel. I’m just saying…) I was approved for this title months ago, and I’m kicking myself that I didn’t read it sooner. Your One & Only is a fascinating concept with skillful writing, compelling characters, and a great story. I highly recommend this book and I think other readers will become as enraptured by the story and characters as I was. 

(P.S. I miss the old cover 🙁)