Jane's books are always a joy - her characters have a slightly different way of looking at the world. Ivo might just be my favourite of her heroes - neurodivergent, incredibly clever, deeply in love with his best friend Cress, but clueless about how to tell her. Until someone's found dead on the moors, with a red squirrel illegally stashed in his pocket...

Full of fun, a bit of awkwardness (which was delicious to read), and some fairly serious stuff about wildlife rescue and neurodivergence going on underneath it all, making you feel better informed on the issues but without weighing your down.

Thoroughly enjoyed. Solid five stars. Thank you to Boldwood, the author and Netgalley for the ARC.

A very special, multi-layered, complex, unexpected hero, depicted in a slow, gradual, a bit suspenseful way, steals the show in “One of a Kind”, by Jane Lovering, a story about secret crushes, friends becoming lovers, and dealing with difference.
Ivo is such an intriguing, nuanced and fascinating lead. I loved how the author showed and explained, through Ivo himself, what is living with this condition, and its repercussions in daily life and interactions.
I adored how the tendency for a certain comedy and extravagancy we watch in the character – the peculiar wardrobe, for example – the dialogue, process of thinking, gestures, gesticulating and all sort of mannerism converge to create a complex, multifaceted male lead.
Jane Lovering shows the full extent of Ivo’s issues and how full of life, intelligent, thoughtful and sensitive he is – in his very peculiar and accelerated way.
Ivo’s characterization is top-notch. I guessed the issue but loved being kept in the dark (and then fully informed).
The fondness and affection between the leads is endearing. The story is full of awkward and fun moments that made me laugh.
I liked Cress, too, and how she finally overcame her insecurities. I felt she was a bit puerile about the events going on.
The portrayal of wildlife volunteering and working makes us respect these people and the animals a lot more.

Title: One of a Kind by Jane Lovering
Release Date: June, 13th, 2024

3.5 Stars

"One of a Kind" by Jane Lovering offers readers a delightful blend of romance and mystery. Cressida Tarbet's unrequited love for her best friend Ivo takes centre stage as they embark on a journey filled with intrigue and unexpected twists.

Lovering's portrayal of neurodivergent characters adds depth to the story, providing readers with a unique perspective on relationships and communication.

The unfolding mystery takes readers from the charming Yorkshire countryside to the picturesque Isle of Wight, keeping them engaged until the very end.

This is a captivating read that combines romance, mystery, and insightful character dynamics, making it a recommended choice for those seeking a fresh and engaging story.

Thank you to The Publisher Boldwood Books , The Author Jane Lovering & NetGalley for an advanced reader copy (ARC) in exchange for my honest review.

2.25⭐️




Cres trabaja en vida silvestre y ha sido amiga de Ivon por 8-9 años, durante todo ese tiempo ha estado enamorado de él. No entiendo como se enamoró de él si siempre está de una lado a otro, no le pone atención cuando platican, si ve algo que le parece más atractivo la deja.
Ivo tiene déficit de atención y por su personalidad es difícil que sea cercano a alguien, tiene muchos amigos y le es fácil conocer gente, pero solo están cuando se tarata de divertirse.

Era necesario que Ivo tuviera povs porque en ningún momento hubo algún indicio de que él quisiera a Cress como otra cosa que no fuera su amiga, no me creí que al final se volvieran novios, sentí que acepto porque era la única que siempre lo apoyaba y no quería perderla.




Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for and honest review.

When a dead body is discovered on Yorkshire moors, Cressida and Ivo band together to try and solve the mystery. Friends since uni, even though their personalities and upbringing couldn’t be more different, Cress and Ivo embark on a journey that is equally about crime solving as it is about getting to know each other better.

Having never read a book by Jane Lovering before, I didn’t know what to expect and was pleasantly surprised by a great mixture of cozy mystery and romance this book provided. I loved the two main characters, who felt fleshed out and real, and I especially loved the ADHD rep the book offered. The pacing did lag a bit towards the middle and I did want a deeper dive into Ivo’s feelings towards Cress as they seemingly came from nowhere at one point. But ultimately I loved the message of loving someone, not despite, but because of their flaws. So if you’re a fan of atmospheric books that blend mystery and romance and are filled with humor, this might be perfect for you.

3.5 ⭐️
Many thanks to NetGalley UK and the publishers for this ARC.

One of a Kind by Jane Lovering is a unique and interesting romantic mystery /romystery (is that a thing??). The main characters, Cressida and Ivo, set off to solve a murder all whilst trying to help animals! I love that the characters were so relatable. As readers, we are privy to Cress's insecurities and struggles (we all have them) with her career, love life, and feelings for Ivo. Ivo is neurodivergent and this book really describes his personality and quirky traits quite well. I totally connected with Ivo and am happy to see neurodiversity represented. This novel is definitely good for neurotypical people to get an insight into what it can be like for neurodivergent people and vice versa AND there's a murder to solve and squirrels to save along the way!
Thank you, NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an advanced readers copy of One of a Kind in exchange for an honest review. I enjoyed it!