Susan May Warren: You're the One That I Want

By Kelly Bridgewater

Description (From Amazon):

Owen Christiansen has been in a downward spiral since an injury ended his NHL career. But a job on an Alaskan crabbing boat offers a fresh start . . . maybe even a shot at romance with Elise “Scotty” McFlynn, the captain’s daughter.

Used to being one of the guys, to never relying on anyone, Scotty doesn’t believe in happily ever after—especially with someone like Owen. Her instinct is confirmed when Casper Christiansen arrives to drag his prodigal brother home, bringing with him a truckload of family drama—and even worse, the news that Casper is wanted for questioning in connection to a crime back in Minnesota.

But Owen is more than the sum of his mistakes, a truth both he and Scotty discover when she escorts both brothers to Deep Haven as part of her new job on the Anchorage police force. Thrust into an unfamiliar world of family, faith, and fresh starts, Scotty begins to see potential for a happy ending . . . if she’s brave enough to embrace it.

From Amazon

My Review:

Personally, I have loved everything Susan May Warren writes. She definitely knows how to capture her audience attention and drag them right into the story and allows them to suffer and rejoice right along with the characters. I have read every Christiansen family novel and novellas, which I have come to enjoy. Warren gave me what I expected from You’re the One That I Want, but this book did not hit it out of the park for me.

I have wanted to see Owen’s return to his family and his faith since he has always been running around, causing trouble in the background of all his sibling’s stories. I was glad to see that Owen would have a story to tell. I have come to love and enjoy spending time with all six of the Christiansen children, including their parents, John and Ingrid. Their stories encourage me as a mother of three boys. Anything my children do; they can seek God’s grace and return.

The ultimate theme in You’re The One That I Want is forgiveness and sacrifice. How much would someone actually do for you not to forgive them? Would you give up something you really feel nothing toward to allow someone else to seek what they want? Both ideas hit home for me, and I loved how Warren made me ponder them as I followed Owen and Chase on their journey.

As for the character of Scotty, Owen’s love interest, I really didn’t know if I liked her or not. She was not a girly girl, whom I can totally relate to, but I don’t think Scotty knew what she really wanted out of life. I think she needed to spend more time in self-discovery before she started a full blown relationship with Owen. Just because Owen started to explore his emotions for her didn’t mean that Scotty should have the same feelings.

Most of Warren’s plots keep me riveted to the page, but this novel did not. It took me a long time to finish the book. Even with this, I still enjoy Warren’s writing style. I really enjoy Warren’s description and how she drags me into the setting and made me feel like I was part of the Christiansen family, begging to join in the fight to save Chase.

Finally telling Owen’s prodigal return, Susan May Warren concludes her Christiansen family with great detail that I have come to respect and admire, but I had a hard time staying with the plot and the heroine wasn’t one that captured my imagination. No matter my tiny issues, I anxiously wait for another book by Susan May Warren. She is one of my favorite authors.

I received a complimentary copy of You’re the One that I Want from Tyndale Publishers and the opinions stated are all my own.

My Rating:  3.5 out of 5 Stars

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