One Thing I Know: Romance on the Air!

ABOUT the BOOK
Author: Kara Isaac
Publication Date: 2019
Publisher: Howard Books
Genre: Fiction; Contemporary
Source: Publisher provided ARC – thank you so much, Kara (Howard Books)
FIND the BOOK ELSEWHERE:  Goodreads
FIND the REVIEW ELSEWHERE: Goodreads
Rating: ★★★½

One Thing I Know by Kara Isaac | Book Review

STORY | If there’s one thing that’s affecting Rachel Somers, it’s a lie. Not only is she lying to herself, she’s also managed to fool America. She didn’t intend for this to happen, but it has, and now she’s a #1 best-selling relationship expert. The lie? America doesn’t know that it’s Rachel, and instead things the expert is Rachel’s aunt, Donna, the woman who’s the “face” of this farce.

Trouble comes calling when Lucas Grant is tasked with finding out Dr. Donna’s secret. This creates a problem when Lucas finds himself always conversing with Donna’s assistant, Rachel. But is he only interested because of a possible career opportunity, or is there something real here?

REVIEW | Inside these pages lies a unique story; a story that happens to be set amidst a fascinating world. But furthermore, what I admire most about Isaac’s romances is that they’re “adult” without being inappropriate; and I think she has a real talent when it comes to putting these stories to page. In One Thing I Know, Kara introduces us to two hearts who are searching for something, all while unaware it just might be one another.

BOOK REVIEW | Brunch at Bittersweet Café – Savory & Sweet Romance!

The last – and maybe the only (?), novel I read by Kara is her debut, Close to You; this novel was contemporary magic. It was a mature romance that I don’t normally find in the inspirational market. Sadly, One Thing I Know doesn’t quite capture the same magic as this debut. That said, it’s still well-written and features characters we hope get to the heart of what’s keeping them apart, because in the end, of course, we’re rooting for them.

The more we get to know our hero, the more we realize he’s battling a few issues, some of which peel away the deeper the reader presses into the story. Then there’s our heroine, Rachel. Rachel is like our favorite leading lady from a Hallmark romance. Through her own choices, she’s in a lie that now, she needs a graceful way out from. The only question is, how does she accomplish this?

Much as I like the characters, there were just a few things that didn’t capture me. This will be a nitpick comment, but I also feel as if a secular worldview creeps into the story. In some instances, this is ok, but in this, it comes across in a way that seems as if the narrative tries “too hard” to ensure it’presence. That said, don’t misunderstand, this novel is charming.

One Thing I Know is a fast-paced, easy to like romance novel. There’s a few swoons, family commitment and family betrayals, and the setting (radio and publishing) makes everything “pop.”

I’m already eager to read the next novel by this promising author.

Content: this one does have some (potentially) PG13 content (innuendo) for some readers. Nothing graphic though.

Sincere thanks to Howard Books, and Kara Isaac for kindly sending me an ARC in consideration of review; this is no way affects my opinions. All views are my own.