Title: Your One & Only
Author: Adrianne Finlay
Type: Fiction
Genre: YA, Science Fiction, Dystopian
Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers
Date published: February 6, 2018

A physical copy of this book was kindly provided by the publisher, in exchange for an honest review.

Jack is a walking fossil. The only human among a sea of clones. It’s been hundreds of years since humanity died off in the slow plague, leaving the clones behind to carry on human existence. Over time they’ve perfected their genes, moving further away from the imperfections of humanity. But if they really are perfect, why did they create Jack?

While Jack longs for acceptance, Althea-310 struggles with the feeling that she’s different from her sisters. Her fascination with Jack doesn’t help. As Althea and Jack’s connection grows stronger, so does the threat to their lives. What will happen if they do the unthinkable and fall in love

– My Review –

Note: Please do not be confused by the fact that the cover at the top of the post, and the cover on my ARC do not match, haha. It’s just that they altered the cover design before the book went to print. I really like both covers, and would have had a tough time choosing between the two, if I’m being honest.

This book surprised me in so many ways! I had a bit of an idea about the atmosphere and story that I would experience in Your One & Only, and while it did meet those expectations, it also did so much more! From the first page, I realize that this book would be well-written and unique. The manner in which the clones were depicted was also quite interesting, and I’m always intrigued by the whole discussion about what makes humans, well, human.

The writing in Your One & Only was very enjoyable for me. I think that Finlay is very skilled at both writing, and storytelling, and her imagination also really intrigues me! I will definitely be keeping an eye out for what she will be writing next. I am hoping for a sequel to Your One & Only, but it’s looking like this will be a standalone novel. And that’s fine too! I’m curious to see what Finlay will write after this, and it’s more than likely that I’ll read it, whatever it is.

The story was also quite good, and I ended up reading the book in three sittings, despite many many distractions. I thought that it was neat that the story takes place in Costa Rica, first of all. Even though it’s many years into the future, the fact that the clone community was surrounded by jungle (and a kind of setting that I’ve never read about before) really added to the story. I thought that all ideas for a story about life after an apocalypse/war had been used up, but I was wrong. Your One & Only felt fresh and exciting. I thought about this book a lot while reading it, and have been thinking about it a lot even after finishing it. I was hooked just one chapter in, and became quite obsessed after that point.

I really liked the characters, especially Jack, and I became quite invested in his well-being from the moment he was introduced (even though the book started out with, and about, Althea 310). I really liked Althea as well, and would love if I could learn more about her in a sequel. Some of the other characters stood out for me as well, and I will not be forgetting them for some time. Also, as I mentioned, I thought that the clones were portrayed in an interesting and unique way. I would have been happy even if this book had even been 1000 pages long, because there was so much more that could have been discussed and explored based on the story and subjects in this book.

I definitely recommend Your One & Only to young adult, and adult readers (especially those who like to read about dystopian cultures and/or clones). There is also some romance in Your One & Only, so there’s something for those who like love plots in their books as well. Overall, this was a very entertaining, and exciting read, and like I said, I will be keeping my eye on this author!

– About the Author –

Originally from Ithaca, New York, Adrianne Finlay now lives in Cedar Falls, Iowa with her husband, the poet J. D. Schraffenberger, and their two young daughters. She received her PhD in literature and creative writing from Binghamton University, and is an associate professor of English at Upper Iowa University in Fayette, Iowa. She is also an avid soap maker, and sells handmade soap locally to raise money for type 1 diabetes research. You can find check out her soaps at semisweetsoaps.com, visit her website at www.adriannefinlay.com, as well as on Twitter at @AdrianneFinlay

– Purchase Links –

THANK YOU FOR READING MY BOOK REVIEW! HAVE YOU READ THIS BOOK? WHAT DID YOU THINK? AND IF YOU HAVEN’T READ IT YET, DO YOU WANT TO, OR NOT? HOW COME? LET ME KNOW IN THE COMMENTS BELOW!