Jamie Harrow's debut novel, "One on One," is an impressive addition to the workplace sports-romance genre. Harrow's writing is engaging, with a compelling story, a distinct tone of voice, and well-crafted characters.

"One on One" is an unglamorous look at the college sports industry, addressing serious issues such as racism, sexual harassment, and abuse of power. Harrow skillfully incorporates these themes into the plot, avoiding the usual clichés of the genre.

The characters felt incredibly real. Not just the main characters, Annie and Ben, but also the entire cast of friends, family, coworkers, and students, all added depth and realism to the narrative. And while it has plenty of humor and banter, it never feels superficial or cheesy.

Annie and Ben are both very talented but find themselves in professional funks, threatened by job insecurities. Their relationship evolves from confused animosity as rival coworkers to a tentative friendship, and eventually into a sweet, tender, and hopeful romance. Ben's kindness and honesty make him a standout character, while Annie's journey to becoming braver is inspiring.

I love how this quote captures Annie’s humour and mindset: “Oh, god, my life is going to be a Bruce Springsteen song. I need to try harder.”

This novel is an easy 5-star read, though I wouldn't have minded a bit more pathos to tug at my heartstrings even harder.

I highly recommend “One on One” to readers who enjoy romance writers with more heart and depth, such as Kate Clayborn, Jessica Joyce and Alicia Thompson.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Quercus Books for providing me with this ARC.