Reviewed for Hope By The book Magazine. Unable to share full review. Please visit Hope By The Book website for full review.

Kara Isaac is quickly becoming one of my very favorite authors. Her books are so emotionally gripping. You feel the characters all the way through. She, unlike other authors, has a way of writing emotion and feeling that is so real it’s almost a little scary. She doesn’t shy away from big hard things. She includes them because life includes them. It’s like your reading a letter from a friend or talking to them about their life. They story lines are so relatable. I just don’t want to stop reading. I laughed so hard at one part of the book that my kids came around and said “what are you laughing at?” And I read the page back to them and they laughed too! I cried. I smiled. I cringed. All while reading this book. Sooo good. I highly recommend this book and all of Ms Isaac’s other books as well.
I received a digital copy of this book from netgalley. I was under no compulsion to write a review. All thoughts are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley, Howard Books and Kara Isaac for an ARC ebook copy to review. As always, an honest review from me.

Like:
- The sweet and realistic romance
- Romance in a casual work setting
- The main characters: relatable with good intentions
- Dr. Donna: I wasn’t a fan at the beginning, but came around to understand and like her.
- Easy fun read
- The romance parts aren’t too overly descriptive that it would be inappropriate/uncomfortable to listen out loud, as an audiobook

Love:
- Set in the book and publishing world - always a fun bonus!
- Reminds me of an episode of Law and Order SVU (but without the sexual assault part)

Dislike:
- The spicy food scene in the restaurant: Didn’t achieve the goal of bringing them together and just seemed weird/unnecessary
- I didn’t mind, but others might, that it didn’t mention religion until 80% of the way through. Not an intense Christian fiction book

Wish that:
- Some of the reasons for the deception didn’t fall together quite as easily
- Felt less disjointed: the first 2/3 and the last 1/3 of the story seemed different in tone and writing

Overall, a fun sweet romance that I enjoyed. Nothing too intense, but perfect if you’re looking for a realistic happily ever after. Bonus points for being set in the bookish world!

I really liked this sweet story about faith and family and love and life. Books that focus around secrets, and not being truthful and forthcoming can be kind of iffy for me when reading, but I was pleasantly surprised with the way this was handled in One Thing I Know.

Kara Isaac is an author I've been wanting to read read for awhile now, and I'm really glad I finally got the chance to do so. She has a way with words that really brought the story to life, and I found myself really mesmerized with the story as it moved along, and not wanting to put it down as I couldn't wait to find out what happens next.

I was really rooting for Rachel and Lucas, and not just for their relationship, but also for them to overcome past hurts, and truly learn to move forward. I personally really enjoyed the way that so much of their relationship blossoms as a friendship, before it moves into anything more, as you could tell they had a really deep connection that wasn't just based on physical attraction.

I enjoyed the emphasis on healing and redemption and second chances, especially when it centered around Rachel learning to forgive her friends and in the process herself. This is only truly achieved through letting go, and letting God, and I appreciated that this was definitely stressed upon from numerous characters throughout the story.

While all in all, I really did enjoy this one, and it was a winner in my eyes, however I didn't think some of the pg-13 content was necessary for the story, and it hindered my enjoyment slightly, as I felt it was a tad off putting in a Christian novel.

Overall though, this was a great first experience with a Kara Isaac novel, and I will definitely be picking up more books from this author in the future.

Final Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐


Thanks so much to Howard Books and NetGalley for the chance to advance read this!


I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher, Howard Books, via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to leave a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Rachel is the ghost-writer for her Aunt Donna's very successful relationship books and column, "Ask Donna". This is quite ironic, given she has few relationships herself. Lately, she's been feeling guilty about the deception and wants to either quite writing or come clean about it. When she meets sport talk show host/relationship coach (because women call in and ask him relationship advice), Lucas, the sparks fly but she tries her best to avoid them. Meanwhile, her aunt is scheming to throw them together.

The banter between Rachel and Lucas is incredibly fun. I loved watching them slowly realize they are attracted to each other. It was absolutely painful when Rachel would shut him down though. Lucas took it personally (as any of us would). Both of their fathers were alcoholics but it ended up affecting and scarring them each in different ways. They both have things to work through. Rachel has guilt that she carries for things that she blames herself for. Lucas is quick to judge others for dishonesty since his father was guilty of that. It eventually puts a rift between him and Rachel.

Both Rachel and Lucas have been damaged by their father's poor choices. Rachel has cut herself off from most of her previous relationships with friends and leads a fairly secluded existence. Lucas keeps himself closed off in different ways. As the truth behind Rachel and Donna's secret comes to light, can Rachel and Lucas find a future together that can finally be built on truth? Well, let me just say this....I love a HAPPY ENDING!!

This book was beautifully written with what I would call a "light Christian flavor." By saying that, I mean that towards the end, there is a character in the book who does credit God with getting her through a difficult time. Overall, it was a clean romance with a positive storyline. I really enjoyed it.

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

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I have ready every single book by Kara Isaac. WITHOUT EXCEPTION I HAVE LOVED THEM ALL...so it truly pains me to say that I cannot in good conscience tell you that I loved this one. I was so eager to read this book, and may have even jumped up and down a bit when it became available. I very much wanted to write this review and sing it's praises, but the ending won't let me.

Although Rachel Somers is the author of a number of incredibly successfully relationship books, due to a traumatic event (not revealed until much later in the story) her Aunt Donna is the author of record. "Dr. Donna" is beloved and respected with many books on the best-selling list, but the deadline for their latest book is fast approaching - and Rachel's got exactly nothing. But she knows that she will do anything to keep the advance and ensure the deadline is met.

Lucas Grant hosts a sports-focused radio show, and his end game goal is syndication. When his professional connection to Dr. Donna is tapped by a successful Hollywood producer who is convinced there's a scandal to be found in her past, will Lucas investigate, even though he likes Donna (and the fact that he is falling in love with her niece/assistant, Rachel)? And how will he and Rachel work things out when the relationship on both sides has been built on a house of false cards?

Side note: this is the first (to my knowledge) of the author's books a) set fully in the United States, and b) does not have any connection to her other standalone books.

Ultimately I struggled with several things: The length of time some of the mysteries were revealed seemed too drawn out. When the secrets and their reasons finally came to light, the fallout felt incredibly extreme. I then felt irritated and frustrated by the hypocrisy of one character, and the subsequent quick "forgiveness" or acceptance of the other. Ultimately my view was just too colored by this ending that left me so wanting, and I was quite dissatisfied.

However, please remember two things: I've loved (actually loved) every other book she has written. You may not feel so aggravated by the ending, so really, you should still read it for yourself. :)

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by Howard Books in exchange for my honest review.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It really drew me in and kept me hooked to the end. I loved both Lucas and Rachel and felt for them both when their stories came out. I probably could’ve done without the religion added in but that’s just me.

One Thing I know is told in dual perspectives of Rachel and Lucas. Lucas is a sports radio host, and Rachel is an author, lifestyle coach, assistant and so much more. They are both in the Dr. Donna world, one intentionally and the other begrudgingly.
Rachel is such a character that I lot of introverted people will be able to relate to, but she also has a big secret that she's keeping and has a lot of pressure on her as well due to a family health problem.
Lucas seems like your typical sports host, yet he is also multilayered and has a lot of baggage, and anger about certain things from his childhood that still affect him.
Dr. Donna is one of the bigger side characters for this story. She helps Rachel and Lucas realize things that they weren't able to on their own, while also just being a friend to both of them. She is a little much at times, and I kind of wish we had gotten to see her more throughout the book.

Overall I thought this book was okay. I never really had any strong feelings while reading this book. I liked it enough and I wanted to keep reading it to see if certain things would ever happen, but that was it really. I never had any attachment to a character, nor did I really care for the side storylines. This book was just kind of meh for me for some reason and I don't really get why. It had everything I normally like: multiple perspectives, secrets, family, and very little romance. Sadly this one just wasn't for me.

Ever since Kara Isaac's first book, "Close to You", I've waited in breathless anticipation for every subsequent novel to hit the shelves. Her humor, quirky characters, and amazing storylines never fail to keep me entertained from page one until the novel closes. I don't think I've read another author's works that so consistently had me in stitches, as Ms. Isaac, or in tears, as the various characters exposed their deep wounds amid the laugh lines. She has also consistently pointed her characters, and by extension, her readers, toward a saving faith.

One Thing I Know follows this pattern for the most part. The main difference I saw was that this story has elements that are far edgier than I was used to in a Kara Isaac story. The main characters, while they may have had contact with faith in their backgrounds, do not profess to be believers, nor do either of them really commit to that by the end. However, steps are taken, and often, the journey is as important as the final destination. Since this is book one of a three-part series, knowing Ms. Isaac's work, I have few doubts that redemption is on its way.

Rachel Somers has been hiding in plain sight for almost a decade and only three other people know it. She's America's Number 1 relationship coach, but America thinks that title belongs to her aunt Donna. Rachel writes the books that hit best-seller status almost before they hit the shelves, but Donna is the face of the "Dr. Donna" franchise, relegating Rachel to the background. She dresses as frumpy as she can, almost melting into the upholstery when she attends publishing meetings with her aunt as "the assistant." Rachel and Donna have both decided that the next book will be their last. Unfortunately, there can't be a next book unless Rachel can write it, and she has a massive case of writer's block. When their publisher comes up with the brilliant idea of taking the last book on tour with a co-host - radio personality Lucas Grant - will they be able to keep up the charade when feelings get in the way?

All Lucas Grant ever wanted was his own show where he could talk about sports. Unfortunately, the women of Madison, WI, have hijacked his show by calling in to ask about relationship questions instead of sports. What's a guy to do? As a gentleman, he can't shut them down, but he REALLY doesn't feel comfortable in the feelings arena. Over the years, he has occasionally had Dr. Donna on his show as a guest. They seem to work well together - she gives the professional opinion, and he gives a man's point of view. When he is approached about going with her on her latest book-signing tour, he initially says, No Way, but when his boss dangles his own show plus possible syndication before him, he can't say no any longer.

As Lucas and Donna work together on the personal appearances, he becomes more and more fascinated with Donna's assistant, Rachel. Behind that frumpy appearance is an intelligence and wit that piques his interest. As Lucas and Rachel get to know one another, they find out that their stories are fairly similar. Will their relationship stand, though, when the truth crashes down around them?

This book has all of the feels! I swung from wild snickers, to fuming at one of the characters (I won't say which one, but OOOOhh, he made me mad!) to crying when Rachel's full story came to light. The characters are complex and have some pretty deep emotional scars. I felt their pain almost as deeply as they must have. Themes of forgiveness, trust, honesty, and loss are woven throughout this story, and each plays a role in each character's life.

Romance readers will enjoy the romance that develops between Lucas and Rachel. Readers who are expecting an overtly Christian novel because Kara Isaac wrote it, may need to dial back their expectations a tad. While overall, I did consider this to be Christian fiction, there are some situations, and some verbal innuendos that step a bit outside those normal bounds. That said, keep reading. You'll find redemption just around the corner, maybe even on the next page. In One Thing I Know, Kara Isaac demonstrates a depth of understanding that is not common in writers today, and she does it with her trademark humor. I loved this book, and I think others will, too. I highly recommend!

“And the truth shall set you free.” This latest novel by Kara Isaac was a heartwarming contemporary romance that showed how secrets, even when kept for a good reason, can shatter a person’s trust in another. The two main characters, Rachel and Lucas, both dealt with difficult family issues as young adults that many readers can relate to. There was a sleazy secondary character that I didn’t really care for in the novel mainly because of his inappropriate comments, but there are some people like that in real life as well. This was an story that fans of contemporary romance will enjoy.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and Howard Books and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine.

Being the ghost writer to her Aunt Donna who is also the world renowned Dr. Donna and America’s #1 relationship coach, Rachel had the whole world fooled. Playing the part of ‘assistant’, the novelist played up the charade for years to pay for her bedridden father medical expenses but it seems to all be crushing down when she lacks the inspiration for the next book with a deadline that closing in. Just when she thinks her luck couldn’t get any worse, her Aunt Donna and publicist Lacey concocted a harebrained scheme to join forces with a late night Wisconsin sports radio star, Lukas Grant, in the hope it will help deliver the elusive next book idea. Yet unbeknownst to them, a big-time LA producer Brad Shipman calls to offer Luke a once in a lifetime opportunity, an offer that comes with a catch. Discover the acclaimed authors secret and exposed Dr. Donna for the fraud she is. And to do that, the radio star decided to get close to the one person who knows her better than anyone, Rachel. Can love find a way through the lies that force them apart? Or will it be all crashing down?

“One Thing I Know” is hands down one of the best heartwarming reads I have had thus far in 2019. There was just something natural about the relationship between Rachel and Lukas. Nothing force nor fast paced and you were easily able to see how their relationship developed throughout the pages. The built up was tremendous and you were able to get a sense of how genuine their feelings were. After the first page, it was nearly impossible to put down. Kara Isaac writing style was top notch, the main and secondary characters were relatable and the content was refreshing. The only letdown was the fact that there was no epilogue. I would have loved to see how their relationship progressed in the future but overall, I am generally happy with the outcome with the series and pleasantly surprised by how much I liked it considering the low rating of other reviewers.

This book made me feel like I was chaperoning a middle school dance. It was PG which is fine but when I pick up a “romance” book I kind of expect a little bit more than 30 year olds dancing around a first kiss.

I was interested in the story because it reminded me of the movie “The Ugly Truth” only becaus the girl was calling into a radio show and a romance bloomed (even though there was more to the story than that).

The storyline was predictable and the “secret” seemed childish and something that literally no one would care about or question.

With all the god references and the “im from the Midwest and we don’t see that stuff” I really was turned off by this book.

Thank you for the free copy in exchange for an honest review!

I’ve read other books by this author and they were all good but this one is my favorite so far. It had a lot of emotion, deception, childhood issues and romance. The two main characters had more in common than they realized for a long time. Both had grown up with alcoholic fathers that put their families in turmoil. They both struggled with issues relating to their fathers and how it affected the way they lived their adult lives later on.
A big deception relating to the true author of several best selling books puts Lucas in a spot to find out the secret. A promise of big money to help his brother with financial issues prompts Lucas to try to find out the hidden secret. Rachel’s money she makes on her books help her finance a nice place for her father to live while physically alive, but brain dead. Her aunt provides the name and physical presence to keep Rachel out of the limelight masquerading as the assistant.
I loved how the relationships among the characters changed and developed over the course of the pages as I read. I was drawn into the story and related personally to some aspects of what happened. It was interesting as I drew close to the end how the author had written in a big surprise that helped conclude a very interesting story.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley but was not required to write a review positive or otherwise.

Another great read by Kara Isaac. The story was quite moving & very enjoyable. It was an absolute page turner. I didn't want it to end. Looking forward to reading more from this author.

This is a well written contemporary romance with some hidden secrets, troubled past, forgiveness and more. I enjoyed the sparks between Rachel and Lucas. This book will keep you hoping everyone can find a happily ever after.

I look forward to reading more from this author.

I absolutely loved this book. One thing I Know is well written. The plot covers deception, hurt and forgiveness. I hope the author writes a sequel I would really enjoy revisiting with some of the characters. I highly recommend this inspirational romance. I received an arc from Netgalley and this is my unbiased review.

One Thing I Know was an average read for me. It's a cute easy Christian romance. The story was good overall. The characters were likeable. For some reason, I felt like something was missing. I didn't really connect with this story. Thanks to NetGalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

I’m a huge fan of Kara Isaac so I was excited to read her latest book. I had trouble understanding the plot stakes and I didn’t understand Lucas getting upset when his motive was money-same as hers-despite the backstory. Also, I didn’t see Lucas apologize at the end for his deceit. His big secret reveal and the resolution seemed too rushed for the sake of a happy ending. I would have liked to see his humility in asking for forgiveness and knowing what it felt like to be on the other side. I will definitely read Kara again as I love her writing style!

Thanks to Howard Books for the advance copy.

I don’t feel like it was really advertised that this was a religious romance novel. It really wasn’t bad for one. I probably wouldn’t have picked it up if I had known.


I voluntarily read an early copy.

I thought the premise of this book was so fun. There’s something so charming about mistaken identities—it almost has this old Hollywood feel to it. I kept picturing Katherine Hepburn and Cary Grant as the leads, all while the misunderstandings piled on.

The story is tightly plotted and I found the main character an engaging narrator. The secrets in her life made turning the pages quite easy. If you like YOU’VE GOT MAIL, I think you’ll enjoy this book!