Greta Davies, the features editor at a women’s magazine, is accomplished and successful. That is, in all areas except her love life. Determined to help, Greta's boss - and friend - secretly enlists the help of the Ever After Agency, and sets out to make her dreams come true.

I want to start by saying I had no idea this was part of a series until I started it, but not having read the previous ones didn't take much away from my experience — it did pique my interest enough to make me want go back to read the rest of the series.

This was just so cute overall, I really liked the characters, and I found the choice in POVs very interesting, even though I did wish to see more of Ewan, since it did feel like he wasn't there all that much, especially at first; but when he was there, it was really just adorable, and I really liked their interactions and the way their relationship developed. The story did take an unexpected turn, and things really picked up towards the end, which was interesting and very appreciated.

Thank you so much to Boldwood Books & NetGalley for the eARC. All opinions are my own.

First book by this author that I have read. I appreciated the strong female leads. The banter and wit kept it exciting. I will definitely pick up the rest of the series.

I really struggled to get through this book and tbh I am getting fed up of having Poppys POV in every book of this series like just chill she had her moment and book let the other characters have theirs. I also find for a matchmaking service they tend to find people outside of the service more than with the service so like I dont fully get why we have this premise like surely one book should be two clients meeting via the service no? Didn't enjoy Greta and found her to be boring.

This is book 3 of the Ever After Agency and was just as fun and delightful as the previous books. Greta is a talented features editor, but unfortunately, she is unlucky when it comes to love. Her well-meaning boss, who is also her friend, secretly enlists the help of the Ever After Agency in an effort to help Greta find love.
The story sparkles with wit as Greta navigates one disastrous date after another, chronicling her experiences in a magazine column. Her journey is equal parts hilarious and heartfelt, offering a candid look at the ups and downs of dating life. Yet, amidst the chaos, a slow-burn romance subtly develops as Greta’s long-time friend begins to emerge as something more.
I enjoyed seeing Greta’s growth as she went from a work-obsessed skeptic of love to someone willing to take a chance on romance. The chemistry between her and Ewan is electric, building gradually as readers cheer for her to see what’s been in front of her all along.
With its laugh-out-loud moments, heartfelt insights into love, and a satisfying happily-ever-after, this book is the perfect reminder that sometimes, love doesn’t need to be chased—it’s waiting just around the corner.

I received a complimentary copy from Netgalley and Boldwood Books and am voluntarily leaving my review.

3.5 Stars. Thanks to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for the E-ARC. While each one can be read as a stand alone its better to read the series. Poppy is back and now she is trying to match Greta. I enjoy this series so much its such a easy fast read everything just flows. There is a little bit of everything you get the romance feelings without the spice if thats your vibe but still all the feels. Theres some drama but very low key. Cant wait to read the next one in the Ever After series

This one didn't grab me much.

Greta is a magazine editor with no love life to speak of. Her boss (yuk) sets her up with a dating agency. It’s obvious from the start who she’s going to end up with. <spoiler>It’s in the tagline on the cover.</spoiler> So there’s no “who will she pick excitement” and the rest of the story isn’t very engaging. Greta’s bad dates are not hilarious, and the patheticness of the men is told not shown.

I don’t care about Poppy much. She’s an all knowing matron, which may have worked as a side character, but she’s a main character - a big part of the narrative is her POV. Main characters need to be rounded, Poppy’s too flat. Story would have worked better if it had been only Greta’s POV.

That said, Greta’s mum is a chicklit cliché, dropping hints that Greta must hurry to find a man and start a family. Obviously, the mum has forgotten she had a baby at age 48, so Greta’s still got a good ten years to find someone and doesn’t need her mum trying to set her up with a man that’s old enough to be her dad. At least I don’t need that. When the mum has grown up in the sixties and seventies (of last century) or later, I want them to accept and respect their daughter's independence, because that's how they raised them. And if the mum does try to set the daughter up with someone, that conversation should be met with a firm “butt out” or an update on divorce statistics (or in this case the question: “is he looking for a care-giver?”)

Greta goes for the classic made up boyfriend. Which could have been a hilarious set-up for the third act break-up. Or perhaps that’s just wishful thinking on my part, as the actual third act break-up (and the consequentual make up) were dull.

Two stars, because it should not take more than two days to read a feelgood (let alone more than two weeks).

This one wasn't for me. I wanted to love it, but it was a bit angsty for my liking. If you love a romance with dual POV and a angst, this is your perfect romance! Enjoy! :)

Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for an arc. All opinions expressed are my own.

The One That I Want is another fantastic read by the wonderful Sandy Barker!
I adore this authors writing style, and find myself fully immersed in the world in which she brings to life from the start. A gorgeous storyline and well developed characters, I loved this book!

DNF @ 24%- I just couldn’t get into this book. The writing was not great and I didn’t love that the book switched between Greta and Poppy’s pov. This setup just didn’t make sense to me. At a quarter of the way through the book and the main character has met the love interest a few times, but there is zero chemistry or tension or really interest of any kind.

3.5 stars
This is a story about matcmakhing. Greta's boss only wants what's good for her, so she goes behind her back and hires a matchmaking agency, but Greta finds out immediately. So Greta and her agent Poppy take a different tack, and in between, Greta meets a gorgeous guy named Ewan, in addition to the "best" candidate. Who will she choose in the end and will the lies ruin everything?
I volunteered to review an ARC of this book for Netgalley

I have enjoyed the other books in this series by the talented author Sandy Barker, and this one was no exception. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a funny and heartwarming romance with strong female lead characters. The "will they or won't they" dynamic is portrayed perfectly, making for a wonderful story that provides a great escape. I believe most readers will be able to relate to Greta's romantic challenges and will enjoy following her journey to find out if true love awaits. I am eagerly anticipating the next book in this series, and if you read them, I can assure you that you will be too.

There’s a lot of skullduggery going on here! Greta is a magazine editor; her boss Anjali is really worried about Gretas lack of love life after a flippant comment from her; and Anjali has a friend who runs an exclusive matchmaking agency so an idea is pitched for Greta to get write an article on dating hazards! Unfortunately Greta is on to them and hereby ensues a lot of people keeping a lot of secrets. In the meantime; Greta has taken a liking to Ewan who works in her local coffee shop…could there be more than friendship there? A great easy read.

This book felt very relatable with layered friendships, work rivalries and complicated dating lives that most people will understand. I was unaware of this series before staring this book so I am excited to go back and read the previous books and keep an eye out for new additions. This book was filled with humour and warmth that kept me engaged from start to finish.

This is a series that is going from strength to strength. I loved this book so much, it was entertaining, and you were definitely kept on your toes as to who knew what about who.

I loved getting to know Greta, who works at Noveau Life magazine, and her boss (and friend) has decided that Greta really needs some love in her life, and has employed Poppy at the Ever After Agency to help.

What follows is brilliant fun on so many levels, as Greta agrees to go on some dates with a view to writing an article and agrees to try a few frogs first! In the meantime there is a clear front runner for her heart, which just about everyone apart from Greta can see!

And it is always good to catch up with Poppy and her colleagues at the agency. Again I'm in awe of the whole set up and loved every second of my time spent with her matchmaking, as well as seeing her own relationship develop further.

Add in some minor mysteries, a bit of sabotage, some truly hilarious dates, and a couple of really gorgeous men, and you have a fabulous story that I couldn't get enough of.

I'm already eager to read the next book in the series, and can't help but think that this series would make a brilliant sit-com! Please make it happen.

Thank you to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily

This was an absolutely delightful story. I fell in love so easily with the characters, especially Greta. I saw myself in her which definitely helped me relate to the book more. The writing was really nice and made it super quick to fly through! Was a perfect romance for the summer. Rated 3.5 stars

Sex and the City meets When Harry Meets Sally in this charming, delightful and hilarious romantic comedy by Sandy Barker: The One That I Want.

Greta Davies has the world at her feet. A successful magazine editor with an enviable lifestyle, Greta seems to be living the dream. The only fly in the ointment is that her dating life is a complete and utter disaster. Far from meeting her Mr Right, Greta seems to lurch from one disaster to another in the romance department, but help is at hand thanks to her boss and good friend who secretly enlists the help of the Ever After Agency. Is Greta finally going to meet her knight in shining armour? Or is she being set up for further heartache and disappointment?

Convincing Greta not to turn her back on the dating world soon proves easier said than done, so her boss will need to deploy some very creative thinking. A column about dating in the city seems to be just the thing for Greta to dip her toe back in that world, but with her first few dates being excruciating disappointments, it looks like she is going to give up before she has even started – until it becomes apparent that Greta’s happy ending might have been right under her nose all along!

Sandy Barker’s romantic comedies never fail to make me laugh out loud and have me reaching for the tissues and The One That I Want is another gorgeous treat that I was completely gripped by. An enchanting and enjoyable romance that perfectly balances humour and emotion, cancel your plans, put your feet up and get ready to fall in love with the latest must-read by Sandy Barker: The One That I Want.

Another Ever After Agency win! I have enjoyed every book in this series and look forward to both reading the antics of new and recurring characters.

Greta and Ewan were great. I love a slow burn vs insta love and the fact that they fell in love while building their friendship first. Adorable!! I also love how both Ewan and Greta were building their businesses, so the author could showcase strong, like minded characters who just so happened to be meant to be. Doubly adorable! Thanks for the laughs and the swoons, Sandy Barker!

PS The fact that Ewan looked James McAvoy- yum!!

Thanks to NetGalley, Boldwood Books, and the author for the chance to read this book.

This is the 3rd book in Sandy Barker's Ecer After Agemcy series. I enjoyed this just as much as the first two. We get more of Poppy and her happily ever after from the first book and also meet some new characters.

The book centres around Greta, who is a successful career woman who wants love in her life. Her boss is kind but misguided in her attempts to help, and this sets up a whole heap of issues.

There are some very sweet moments throughout the story and some that have you shaking your head knowing the hole that Greta is digging herself. Overall, though, it is an easy and enjoyable read.

In this tropey romcom set in the heart of London, readers follow Greta’s journey for romance -- as set up by her boss. With the launch of a new angle for the women’s magazine she works at, Greta’s boss hires the Ever After dating agency to find love for Greta under the guise of a series of articles for the publication. Stubborn and dedicated to her work, Greta goes along with the scheme to start, but it seems that maybe there’s love in her life, if not from the place she expects. With lots of tropes and chaotic situations to throw obstacles into her path, Greta’s story is charming, heartwarming, and romantic, and she is a fascinating, strong, and stubborn protagonist who’s had some troubles with love in the past. Tropey in the best ways, Barker’s narrative is romantic and joyful with the various hallmarks of the romcom genre, and she populates the novel with characters who are clever, charming, and romantic. With complications and twists and turns on almost every page, Greta’s quest for love with the Ever After Agency -- and perhaps on her own -- is a fun, immersive, and enjoyable read that fans of the genre will definitely enjoy.

Favorite Quotes:

Blimey, if I keep on like this, I’ll get a call from Disney asking for the rights to my life story for their next animated feature. The Thirty-something Princess and the Frogs of London coming to a cinema near you.

I don’t like it when people use the word ‘lost’ to mean someone’s loved one has died. Poor Ian didn’t lose his wife– they weren’t shopping in IKEA. He didn’t misplace her amongst the dinglehoppers and snarfblatts. She passed away.

I will lampoon him so severely, Taylor Swift could mine my article for lyrics.

Dreamboat? Where are you getting these words? Do you have a time machine or something? Are you frequenting the 1960s?


My Review:

This was a fun and cleverly amusing read that is the third in a popular series but I found it to have strong legs and quite capable of standing and dancing on its own. Although, it also has me wanting to track down and read all the previous installments. I enjoy this smooth storyteller’s wry wit and sneaky hits of humor.