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Just One Year

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From New York Times bestselling author Penelope Ward, comes a new standalone novel.

The beginning of my sophomore year in college was off to a rough start.
On the first day of orientation, I had an altercation with an infuriating British dude in a campus bathroom.
(The ladies’ room was out of order. So, I used the men’s room. Don’t judge.)
I got home later that night and realized that the foreign student we were expecting to rent a room in my parents’ house was allergic to our cat.
So, the spare room went to someone else: Caleb—the British guy from the men’s room.
And so it began…my love-hate story with Caleb Yates. Or was it hate-love in that order?

The guy knew how to push every one of my buttons.
Sometimes I’d email him to express my aggravation and disdain.
He’d actually rewrite my own words and send them back to me.
That was the type of infuriating person Caleb was.
So frustrating.
And…
Sometimes incredibly funny and endearingly sweet.
And hot.

He eventually grew on me, and Caleb soon became one of my best friends that year.
Too bad he was headed back to England soon, so nothing could happen between us—for so many reasons.
I definitely couldn't fall in love with him, especially since all we had was just one year.

311 pages, ebook

First published February 24, 2020

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About the author

Penelope Ward

82 books24.6k followers
Penelope Ward is a New York Times, USA Today and #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling author of contemporary romance.

She grew up in Boston with five older brothers and spent most of her twenties as a television news anchor. Penelope resides in Rhode Island with her husband, son, and beautiful daughter with autism.

With over 2-million books sold, she is a 21-time New York Times bestseller and the author of over forty novels.

In 2014, Penelope’s fourth book, Stepbrother Dearest, became the #1 bestselling independently published Kindle ebook of the year on Amazon.com and was credited with igniting an entirely new subgenre of romance. Her 2016 smash hit RoomHate debuted at #2 on The New York Times Bestseller list. Penelope is an Audie Award Winner and three-time Goodreads Choice Romance of the Year Nominee. Her books have been featured in Entertainment Weekly and Publisher’s Weekly (Starred Review).

Penelope’s novels have been translated into over a dozen languages and can be found in bookstores around the world.

She can often be found chatting live with her readers in her private Facebook group, Penelope’s Peeps.

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5 stars
2,991 (31%)
4 stars
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3 stars
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229 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,009 reviews
Profile Image for mel ☽.
369 reviews10.4k followers
Shelved as 'dnf'
March 5, 2020
dnf 30%

i really really REALLY don't like it when the H is dating this OW (and yes, they sleep together and the H implicitly/explicitly rubs it on h's face) the first half of the book while h pines (pathetically) for him.

some of the books i dislike (With Every Heartbeat & Heartland) have this trope and what made me hate them is because of said trope. like, i love romantic development so how can i believe the development between H and h if H spends half the time being with OW in the beginning and easily screwing her, disregarding h's feelings?

so, yeah, nope. the Chase Mattson cover fooled me.
damn it

description
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Anovelqueen .
297 reviews918 followers
February 24, 2020
****4 STARS****

Hero: Caleb Yates, 22, British college student
Heroine: Teagan Carroll, 19, College Student
Theme: College romance. Friends to lovers.

I am not usually a fan of high school or college romances. I like grown people with grown people problems...lol. But as Penelope Ward is one of my favorite authors and I read her religiously I trudged on and am I glad I did. I loved Caleb and Teagan’s love story. They started as friends which is always beautiful and fun to read. I loved reading their texts and emails to one another....Definitely laugh out loud and swoon worthy. They both have troubled pasts but work together as they build their HEA.

Penelope Ward is a skilled storyteller and it just felt that things fell when and where they were needed flawlessly. Paragraphs were light and short with plenty of dialogue. The couple definitely spent a lot time together. Pacing was fast and I read in one sitting. Steam level was moderate.

I think you will enjoy this delightful romance and I highly recommend.
Profile Image for ❥ KAT ❥ Kitty Kats Crazy About Books.
2,316 reviews9,203 followers
February 21, 2020
24993460-SX540
one-year

'JUST ONE YEAR': Is a full length stand-alone romance novel by Penelope Ward. Spoken in 'Dual Perspectives.'

Wow I inhaled this, devoured it. enjoyed it. swooned during it, and giggled like there was no tomorrow..

The very first day of orientation at Northern University did not go so well for Teagan. I was in stitches! Do not read in a public place! Because I guarantee you'll be trying to smoother those giggles from escaping!!

This British hot boy sure taught nineteen year old Teagan a few home truths, life lessons that she either took on board or raged via email, which yet again wrung some giggles out of me.

I FLOVED the beginning, I've never enjoyed a book so much at the start as I did this one, the middle kind of fell a wee bit flat but towards the end the author managed to close it up all nicely.

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Both have baggage which we see bonds these two towards each other, which I didn't think was possible, because let's just say these two didn't have the most heartwarming first greet that we've ever come across.

Nineteen year old Teagan is a happy stay at home introvert, but she's also kind of a genius too, she's working towards her degree in marine biology. When it comes to family she has a few wee hangups. Always feeling as though she doesn't fit in, and never really engages with them. But when Caleb divulges something that he went through when he was younger it cemented these two more than they understood.

Twenty-two year old Caleb is a freshman at Northern and is an exchange student from London and will be going back to his home land after his one year is up. He strives to not get attached to anyone within that time. But nothing prepared him for Teagan.

* Teaser used is off the authors facebook page *


Profile Image for Kim.
732 reviews1,867 followers
March 25, 2020
So, you're out with friends, getting dinner, having fun and while looking at the menu you’re thinking hmm... What should I get, what am I in the mood for... hmmm... ooooh I know! Spaghetti! Yes! It's been ages since you ate spaghetti so you give the waiter your order, extra cheese included and then spend the next half hour (or so) looking forward to a serving of some really good spaghetti. You sip your drink, talk to your friends while keeping an eye on the kitchen, eagerly awaiting your order, getting hungrier by the minute. After a few false alarms you see it: the waiter is coming your way with a big... steamy... plate.. of... spaghetti. He puts it in front of you. It smells divine. It looks divine. Your stomach rumbles.

And you start putting cheese on it and mixing the sauce with the pasta, and your mouth is watering and you just can't wait to get that first taste. So you do and while you are chewing you start to notice the spaghetti tastes like... not much really. Maybe you didn't take enough sauce so you swallow and try again, maybe put some extra cheese in there, and when you put your fork in your mouth for the second time you start to realize this still doesn't taste like much at all.

In fact, the pasta is watery, the sauce looks great but didn't get enough seasoning or just about anything to give it a nice flavor. So you are stuck with an entire plate of tasteless spaghetti. You could ask for a new plate, but everybody has their food, you already ate quite a bit and you just stuff fork after fork in your mouth just to get it over with.

That's how I felt during and after reading this book. I love spaghetti, but it has to taste like spaghetti. I kept waiting for the flavor to hit me and it just never came.
Profile Image for Penelope Ward.
Author 82 books24.6k followers
Read
February 28, 2020
★ ★SALE ENDING ★ ★
The one-time only sale for JUST ONE YEAR is about to end! You can still grab it at the moment for $3.99 (U.S.). The price is going up to $4.99 VERY soon and will stay at that price. It will not be on sale again and also will NOT be going into KU. Get this emotional, friends-to lovers STANDALONE with a sexy British hero while it's the cheapest it will EVER be.
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Profile Image for Pavlina Read more sleep less blog  .
2,434 reviews5,107 followers
February 23, 2020
Live https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0852QP4LT/...


5 STARS

Penelope did it again , I’m in love , it was just amazing!What a journey, Teagan and Caleb stole my heart , their romance gave me goosebumps and it was full of emotions. Both characters are complex and their story is refreshing.

description

This is a slow burn romance with the great amount of drama and angst.It isn't a lot but I think it was perfect for the story.I loved how the story starts, it wasn't greatfor them in the beginning but I liked how things developed for them!I like'd Teagan and Caleb's relationship, you can feel the connection and they have a fantastic banter.

I loved it so much, it touched me in so many ways.Every book Penelope write's has a special place in my heart, this one goes on top!

 


  
Profile Image for Patty ~ Wrapped Up In Reading Book Blog.
1,260 reviews10.1k followers
February 23, 2020
*****4.5 STARS*****
{ARC Generously Provided by Author}


My heart was already in so deep it was breaking. It didn’t matter if Caleb was physically inside of me. He was already inside my heart and soul.





There’s not much that I didn’t love about ”JUST ONE YEAR” by Penelope Ward. The Hero is a gorgeous, charismatic exchange student from England. The Heroine is a beautiful introvert that has never had her heart wrapped up in a guy until she meets Caleb Yates—the foreign exchange student who has moved into her family's home. Caleb and Teagan’s first encounter is extremely embarrassing but was still a ”meet cute”. Their awkward beginning quickly turns into a close friendship that eventually sparks into a powerful attraction that Caleb is fiercely opposed to pursuing because he’d never willingly break Teagan’s heart. His life is in London and hers is in Boston. A long-distance relationship would never work, but Teagan has never felt so strongly about anyone until Caleb came into her life. She’s willing to risk certain heartbreak for the chance to be with the only man she’s ever fallen in love with.





Their story is heart-achingly angsty and it was pure torture waiting for Caleb and Teagan to finally let the pent up attraction take over. This is yet another book to add to my long list of favorites by this incredible author!


Here are my overall ratings:

Hero: 5
Heroine: 4
Plot: 4.5
Angst: 4.5
Steam: 5
Chemistry Between Hero & Heroine: 5




”JUST ONE YEAR” releases on February 24th!





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Profile Image for Christy.
4,077 reviews34.5k followers
April 12, 2021
3.5 stars

Caleb and Teagan meet in a pretty hilarious way… in a campus bathroom. Then, after that embarrassing moment, Teagan finds out Caleb Yates is the foreign exchange student that will be staying with her family for this school year. This is a fun friends to lovers, but for me it did have some slow moments in the first half, whereas it felt the second half was a bit rushed. I did like that even though it was mostly light, it had some serious/emotional topics. Overall, this was a good one. Not my favorite by Ward, but enjoyable nonetheless.

Audio book source: Audible (purchased)
Story Rating: 3.5 stars
Narrators: Andi Arndt and Shane East
Narration Rating: 4.5 stars
Genre: Romance (New Adult)
Length: 7 hours and 32 minutes

Profile Image for MELISSA *Mel Reader*.
1,388 reviews1,454 followers
February 25, 2020
5 Stars!
(ARC provided by author)

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Teagan Carroll is a 19 yr. old marine biology major starting her sophomore year at Northern University in Boston. On her first day of orientation things don’t go as planned when she has an altercation with a hot British guy. Her day goes from bad to worse when she arrives home and learns the exchange student her parents were renting a room to didn’t work out. Now they were welcoming a different international student that was British. Turns out the infuriating guy she met earlier in the day would be staying with them.

Caleb Yates is a 22 yr. old exchange student from England who arrives in Boston for a year of college. Boston quickly feels like home, and his time there is going by way too fast. He feels very welcomed by the family he’s staying with, except for the oldest daughter. Teagan is an introvert genius who hides out in the basement. She seems guarded, a little strange, but gorgeous. He enjoyed annoying her and pushing her buttons. He finds their banter and love/hate relationship extremely entertaining. He’s intrigued by her quirky personality and wants to get to know her better. He realizes he wants her, but can’t act on it since he’s leaving at the end of the year.

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Teagan had always felt like an outsider in her own family. Caleb becomes like a part of the family, and helps her come out of her shell. He appreciated all the things in her life she took for granted. He grows on her, and she comes to value his friendship. She couldn’t help her attraction and the way he flustered her. He was painfully handsome, and her feelings became complicated. As their control is slipping away, and lines get crossed, they can’t let themselves get attached. With him leaving at the end of the year, she can’t allow herself to fall for him.

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-“Whenever you’re near me, my body reacts. Sometimes I feel like I’m going to explode if you don’t touch me.”

-“Im losing my mind a little when it comes to you, Caleb.”

-I just feel so much.

-“Every second I can’t kiss you feels like torture.”

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Just One Year by Penelope Ward is a standalone enemies to lovers college romance packed with angst, comedy, chemistry, and beautiful connections. It’s a slow burn emotional love story with all the feels that will steal your heart. I really loved this book and these characters! This was an easy five stars for me, and I couldn’t put it down!

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Profile Image for swedishruler B.
322 reviews146 followers
February 24, 2020
2.5 it wasn’t bad but I skipped thru a good amount. Caleb dates girl right from the start but have feelings for the heroine(nothing new here) and don’t want her dating anyone (nothing new here) and when she does go on a date he goes to sleep with some girl but doesn’t go all the way (this is also the same thing to be expected from author) . They get together for a while then he leaves and she moves on. Woohoo good for her well kinda. Lol.

This deals with abandonment (heroine mom left her) death of a child (hero technically killed his little sister)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Kate.
159 reviews285 followers
Shelved as 'nope-not-celibate-aftr-seeing-h'
February 24, 2020
Safety
He has girfriend at beginning, he is with her 44% of book 🙃🙃 and yes they have sex
heroine of course had one bad experience with sex
🙃🔫
Why do i even bother to check on this author?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for ✰ Bianca ✰ BJ's Book Blog ✰ .
2,209 reviews1,280 followers
February 23, 2020
description

description

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Teagan is 19. She's going to college in Boston to become a marine biologist. She still lives at home with her dad, step-mom and half-sister.

And Caleb.

He's the british student who's living with them for the year.

At first it was a bit of insta-hate. But Teagan and Caleb are slowly starting to like each other.

Let the fun times begin!

What will happen to Teagan & Caleb?
Will there be a HEA?
READ THE BOOK TO FIND OUT ☺

══════════════════

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ADORABLE!!


This was such a cute college romance.

Or rather roommate romance. We're basically just at home with Teagan and Caleb. Talking. Telling secrets. Arguing. And there's lots of sparkage, but of course we don't want to start something because he's leaving soon. Plus he's kinda dating someone.

But of course we can't resist the hot brit with his sexy accent forever.

But we're scared of what will happen once he has to go back home?! We're still all so very young. Will he come back? Are we going to London? What's with school? Will there be a jump in time even?

I really loved reading this. It was adorable and pretty slow with A LOT of way too much talking and not enough doing.☺
Caleb was amazing. Such a great guy. But he should've shown some tiny little bit more bad boy-ness. He was too good. Way too good to be true really. I hate unnecessary drama in books, but no drama at all was almost a bit boring.

But the love story was cute and funny and very moving. Both our darlings have some family stuff to deal with.

A very sweet New Adult romance with an amazing british hero!

JUST ONE YEAR was a sweet & funny & emotional slow-burn New Adult love story! Run to your nearest amazon for your own Caleb - this one is MINE!!!! ☺

P.S. I LOVE that cover - but that goes without saying with all the Vi & Penelope books!!! LOVE THEM!
P.P.S. JUST ONE YEAR? Weird title. Yes, Caleb stays for a year, but they don't even kiss until only weeks before he has to leave again :/

description
💜 💜


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Profile Image for warhawke.
1,386 reviews2,103 followers
February 27, 2020
Genre: NA Contemporary Romance
Type: Standalone
POV: First Person - Dual
Rating:




Teagan Carroll’s year did not start on the right foot. After an embarrassing encounter with a hot British student, things got worse because Caleb Yates ended up being much closer for comfort.



Teagan was studious and closed off and I liked how Caleb brought her out to her full potential without pushing her. He had his own issues but was still considerate and caring.

He’d taught me to appreciate my family more. His stay here would leave an imprint on my life.


This was a light and easy read. I like that there was some angst, but I prefer more intensity between the two main characters and some parts were slow for me.

Just One Year is a story of taking chances. It would appeal to readers who enjoy a light NA Romance.





♦ 📚 ♦ . . . (F)BR With Loyda . . . ♦ 📚 ♦





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Profile Image for Lo Bookfrantic.
790 reviews589 followers
May 11, 2020

3.5-4★★★★Stars


Genre:  Contemporary Romance
Type:  Standalone
POV:  First Person - Dual


 
"If life was nothing but empty promises, where would any of us be?"

 

Teagan was so smart and didn't have time for dating but when she meets Caleb a super hot student it left her questioning her choices.  With a full career to focus and her insecurities of abandonment she had also seemed to abandoned her own family. 

 
"Sometimes you have to force yourself to do what's right, even if it doesn't feel natural.  Maybe eventually, it would get easier."

 

Caleb Yates was charming and unpredictable.  I really liked his sense of humor and honestly.  He told it like he saw it because in his world full of regrets he wanted to make the best of what life had giving him.

 
"Her secrets were like a drug.  She'd given me a little something, and I wanted more.  Needed more."

 

I really wanted to love this story, it truly had a lot of potential but the story just dragged and I didn't quite felt the connection between these two until closer to the end.  The story finally picks up for me after fifty percent.  I enjoyed the events leading to the end and overall the story felt complete at the end.  

 

Just One Year is a story about forgiving yourself and accepting past mistakes.  Readers looking for a new adult second chances romance will find this story appealing. 

 


 

...F(BR) with War...



3E290021-2062-4540-8487-7523D81BECD0
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Profile Image for Cynema.
602 reviews95 followers
February 28, 2020
THE SAME OLD THING AND LESS INTERESTING EACH TIME

I don’t know what it is about this author that’s been giving me such ambivalent feelings about her books of late. Like nagging heartburn. She’s got some of the best book covers out there. I love her titles. Her heroes always rev my jets and draw me closer to understand them, root for them, want to be with them. But, for me, her heroines are always either simpering, limp, hollow, unlikable, bland, stupid, immature, the real problem in the relationship … or all of the above.

The opening dragged and I really didn’t find Teagan’s first encounter with Caleb in the men’s room and that dumb bathroom humor as any kind of meet-cute or attention-grabbing. I liked even less the dragged-out reminders of it long after they’d met. What’s appealing about playing out smelly bathroom humor? The whole setup was a bore. The only life to the story came from Caleb the exchange student, and even he couldn’t liven up this snoozefest. Granted, the way he turns around stick-in-the-mud Teagan’s emails back at her was clever and chuckle-worthy, but didn’t I already mention that he was the hot glue of this story, not her? I just think that too many of these books are on autopilot, replaying or reworking the same stale relationship concept and evolution, while only putting a fresh coat of paint on the circumstances.

I used to love the tandem pairing of Ward and Keeland too, but their recent books have only been partial likes for me, or not at all. Their romance formula and story blueprint – alone or together – is just getting old. They need to infuse their stories with something new and fresh, and especially a heroine that makes me perk up and take notice, as equally impressive as the hero. This book was predictable from beginning to end, and I think I need a timeout from this author.
Profile Image for Anne OK.
3,689 reviews526 followers
February 26, 2020
I'm certainly in the minority on the latest from Penelope Ward, but this one just fell flat for me. It didn't seem to have the spark and dazzle of so many of Ward's previous books. The dialogue was stiff in the flow -- not the norm sizzling vibes I usually find with most of her other books. No, I didn't hate it, but I was far from in love with it.

Teagan and Caleb were a bit lackluster in my opinion. I didn't feel the zing or magic that is so engaging with most of Ward's characters. The ending slapped me in the face so quickly that I did a double-take. Definitely a wham-bam kinda happy ever after.
March 19, 2020
4 ⭐'s

Caleb and Teagan meet when she has to use the men's bathroom so naturally he would become her family's new boarder.

Teagan is pretty guarded and Caleb does his best to get her to come out of her shell...and maybe he does too good of a job because come out of her shell she does and he is blown away.

Their relationship is a bit of a slow burn so it takes a while for them to actually commit to be together. A lot of that has to do with Caleb's limited time in the USA and not wanting to hurt Teagan. It was ironic how that was switched around.

Caleb was a hard nut to crack. We do get his POV but he did some things I didn't expect and it made me feel like we didn't really get to know him.

I liked how Caleb helped Teagan with her family and with finding her roots.

Thank goodness it ends well. It was great that once they got over the hump, everything fell right into place.
Profile Image for myo ⋆。˚ ❀ *.
986 reviews7,529 followers
March 13, 2021
meh i think that the hate to love ended too fast so i just got bored of the book and didn’t really care much for the romance, i think if the author kept up with the hate to love it would’ve worked a bit better
February 25, 2020



Reading my first Book by Penelope Ward – which was "Stepbrother Dearest" is not something that is easily forgotten. Even if it has been years since I read it some of the moments still stay with me. And ever since I finished reading it I was hoping to read something of a similar plotline and intensity from her again.

Well now I have … and you can guess it … it was "Just one Year" - while the End of "Stepbrother Dearest" will forever be burned in my Heart – Just one Year just took a close second because I love her books with leads that are in the YA area.

(of her single written books – because her books with writing partner Vi Keeland are a whole different subject)

It was only the End that I somehow could not bring as close to my heart as I would have wished. Because while I might have understood that is was written because Ms. Ward listened to what the characters needed for their story – I as a reader didn't need that specific string to love the book.

Still, this book is a straight 5 Star that pulled at my heartstrings and had me shedding some small tears (it seems the full-blown ugly cry number one will forever be cocky bastard #shruggs and I can live with that)

This book gives the devoted romance reader (like ME) everything you could wish for. I loved the banter from the first page. The characters Ms. Ward writes might be not perfect but they are beautifully imperfect for each other and that is where the real magic is hidden.

And with every one of these plotlines – no matter if they are the co or alone written books this author always hides this little tidbit that will remain with the reader and whenever you notice in your everyday life it will remind you of these books.

This book is no different and I love that so while you should go and order this book – I will go and try to find that damn s'more "thingy" ….

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Profile Image for Lauren ♡.
192 reviews35 followers
August 21, 2020
Just noticed now I didn't review this book... and I now remembered why. I was so frustrated after listening to this book that I wanted to bang my head against the wall.



Anyways, I loved Stepbrother Dearest by Penelope Ward and the blurb for this book caught my eye, so I was excited to start this book. Unfortunately, it fell flat to me. I was highly disappointed and proceeded to take a break from Miss Ward's books.

Format: I did an audio listen 🎧

Summary:

Teagan (who is our main heroine) is entering her sophomore year in college when her family decides to take in a British exchange student. However, Teagan does not have the greatest relationship with her family and is quite distant from them. So with that being said, there should be no problem with this student? Right... nope, totally wrong. She and Caleb met on campus in the men's bathroom of all places. This exchange was not one of Teagan's greatest moments and she now wants to avoid the Brit at all cost after their run-in. Unfortunately, things are not looking up for her as she is horrified to learn that he is the one that will be living in her family home for a whole year. They have a constant snarky and witty banter. But bickering/banter aside, what lies beneath these characters? They finally are able to open up to each other and form a friendship. However, they both try to hide their attraction to each other while forming this friendship. They resist it as long as they can because Caleb is due to return home when the year is up. Since they have this deep bond, they don’t really want to get involved and start something that’s going to have to finish as they both do not handle pain/heartache well. Eventually, they give in but the deadline is looming. Overall, Teagan and Caleb have heartbreaking decisions ahead of them as their lives lead them in totally different directions. If they want to find their way back to each other, they have some pretty big lessons to learn as they sort out their personal issues and find their purpose in the world, and more importantly a place in each other’s lives.

This book includes...

Friends-to-lovers trope ✔️
Second chance and college romance ✔️
A witty cocky British male hero ✔️
A lengthy separation between the h and H ✔️

Things I liked about the book:
➼ I felt that their friendship was developed well as it gradually evolved. Teagan and Caleb have a profound impact on each other that if I may say so is life-changing for both of them.
➼ A theme of family is heavily brought to light in this book as both Teagan and Caleb have personal struggles that they are dealing with. Dealing with their family issues forms a big part of their character development overall through this story. Specifically, I loved Teagan's evolving relationship with her sister. I felt it was sweet to see the development between the two of them and how their new formed relationship influenced Teagan

Things I did not like about this book:
➼ Yes, the book is a sweet read with many fun and cute moments, but I really didn't connect with the characters or feel their relationship as much as I was hoping I would have. I loved watching their friendship form, but I found their love relationship well... dull and boring. I felt it could have been flourished more and overall developed better
➼ I really was not a fan of the main H being with an OW (which was for a good chunk of the book) and would constantly rub it in the h's face. The h acted docile and proceeded to continue pining away after him anyways



Overall opinion: Definitely not my favorite book by Penelope Ward and was an ehh okay 3 stars read for me!
Profile Image for Dali.
1,920 reviews542 followers
February 24, 2020
With Just One Year, Penelope Ward presents a new touching page-turner for readers to escape in.

The first time Keaton met Caleb Yates it was under less than ideal circumstances in the men’s room at her college campus. The second time they saw each other was when she met the new foreign student who’d be renting a room at her parents’ place. Yes it was none other than the infuriatingly cute Englishman Caleb Yates!

He knew how to frustrate her just as easily as he could make her smile and blush. And in between helping him study and teaching him how to make smores they became best friends, but nothing more could become of their friendship because he’d be going back to England after Just One Year. Too bad their hearts didn’t get the memo.

Ward has penned a heartwarmingly sweet and swoon worthy romance that while placing her characters at odds when they meet is never far from delightfully playful. At first glance Keaton could be considered a bit closed off and standoffish, but she’s really a sincere and caring person, perfect for the complex, perceptive and charismatic Caleb.

The spark between Keaton and Caleb is apparent from the moment they meet, but a true bond develops between them before that spark turns into a full on fire. I very much enjoyed getting to know both characters.

They both have issues, but even though Caleb presents a fun and witty front, he has more broken bits that need some TLC. I loved how Caleb helped Keaton come out of her shell and learn to appreciate the loving family that supported her. And while they had to go through some angsty moments they both made me smile, laugh and swoon.

Just One Year is a standalone new adult romance by author Penelope Ward. It’s told from both points of view with happy ending.

Amazon paperback -> https://amzn.to/2HDJRwC

* I was given an ARC of this book courtesy of the author. The excerpts are from that copy. I am voluntarily reviewing this title. *

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Profile Image for My Pink Fairytales.
582 reviews81 followers
February 28, 2020
Cosmic ⭐️

“Not bad for a love story that started in the loo.”





I think we all have in our hearts that kind of authors who can simply do no wrong. Anything they write, we love. Penelope Ward is like that for me. There’s no way I can’t enjoy her stories, even YA, which isn’t usually my top choice for a trope.

Just One Year is the limited time a British guy has in Boston, living with an American family (thanks to Bo Cheng and his Caitlin Jenner allergy 😂). Of course there’s a girl in that family, a girl who is Mensa genius smart, witty and a little closed off.

“Sounds like you seriously have a serious problem with me and a serious overusage of the word serious.”



They start off on the wrong foot, but the whole thing is hysterical, plus he has a no BS policy and calls her out on everything. He’s super observant, so he helps her a lot repair the broken parts.
The chemistry is off the charts, the flirting starts as innocent, but it gets you slow burning until you’re ready to combust.

I adored this story! Again with a roller coaster of emotions, I laughed a lot, I cried, but the whole experience was amazing. It felt like everything happened for a reason and I love putting all those pieces together and admiring the whole picture in the end. It’s a book you don’t want to miss!

It would be an absolute honor to have you as my guest on my blog too. Stop by anytime you want :)
Profile Image for Sarah/DragonflyReads.
733 reviews171 followers
February 23, 2020
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4.5 stars!

Penelope does it again with Just One Year. This story was angsty and emotional, heartfelt and hot as hell! I don't typically reach for college-age stories as much as I used to but I really feel like this one had it all. I felt classic Ward (think Stepbrother Dearest or Jake Undone) in this one which I LOVED!

"I'd always felt close to Teagan, but now she'd infiltrated my soul in a way tht felt irreversible."

Teagan is a loner. She keeps to herself in her family, dresses as to not stand out, and keeps up with her studies. She looks for relationships that won't be complicated, lacking love and attraction. Caleb enters her life at a time when she least expects it.

Their relationship starts off rocky to say the least. Not really friendly, just coexisting. After things progress, they realize their mutual feelings can't be ignored. Their romance is a whirlwind as Caleb's time in the US is limited. Their relationship is basically doomed from the start as they didn't want to get involved since they're on a time limit. Decisions are made, hearts are broken, but in the end we're left with a super sweet HEA for the ages!
Profile Image for Bookgasms Book Blog.
2,834 reviews1,425 followers
February 23, 2020
I was hooked on this book from the hilariously quirky meet-cute to the adorably charming last line that had me grinning from ear-to-ear. There's no question that reading a Penelope Ward book is an effortless endeavor. It feels a little decadent, a little soapy, and it is always satisfying.

Just One Year was a long, angsty slow burn. I loved the chemistry between Teagan and Caleb. I loved the banter that started with a sort of antagonistic edge and then steadily picked up sizzle as the book progressed. This is a true NA story, and so I sometimes felt that in the maturity level of these characters. There's a young-ish vibe here and that seemed to entertain and frustrate me in equal measures. Some of the angst felt a little manufactured and there was a lot that happened in the story. It felt a little overly dramatic at times - and some of that is true to the characters and the stage of their life. Some of it maybe just missed the mark for me a little bit.

That said, it was still a compelling read. I still fell deeply in love with both of these characters and their desperate devotion to each other. I will never get enough of that sort of all-consuming, written-in-the stars sort of love - and Ms. Ward delivers that in spades here. It's sexy and sweet and emotional and it left me with the biggest smile and a happy heart. I'm so happy to have been along for the ride as these two made their way towards their happily-ever-after! ~ Shelly, 3.5 Stars
Profile Image for Fanny.
2,286 reviews54 followers
September 8, 2020



Just One Year se queda muy corto en romance, en trama y en calidad. El principio es bastante prometedor y devore las primeras 100 paginas en un instante, sin embargo, luego la historia se desinfla de manera alarmante.

A mi parecer le falta chispa. Todo es lineal, aburrido y sin emocion, y no ayuda que la pareja protagonista sea tan insipida, a ambos le falta profundidad pero sobre todo vida, actuan mas como robots que como seres humanos, ademas senti que todo era demasiado conveniente, no hay sorpresa ni giros inesperados, es la clasica novela en la que con solo leer el primer capitulo ya sabes como va a terminar.

En cuanto a la pluma de Penelope Ward, no hay nada destacable, en Neighbor Dearest me parecio que su estilo era mas llamativo y correcto, en cambio aqui, no me dejo nada satisfecha.

En resumen, Just One Year no es un libro que recomiendo, es basico ( muy basico ), soso y olvidable, no tiene nada destacable, ni la historia, ni los personajes ni mucho menos el supuesto romance, el cual tarda ( mucho ) en ocurrir o quizas deberia decir en empezar.

2 Estrellas!
Profile Image for Wendy ⏃: ✦Nerdy Book Reviews✦.
927 reviews294 followers
February 24, 2020
4.5 STARS!

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Just One Year by Penelope Ward was such a sweet, heartwarming, and angsty new adult romance. I couldn't get enough of the undeniable slow burn between these two main characters!

Teagan Carroll has closed herself off from her family and life in general. She lives with the fear that she will turn out to be just like her mother. She's a loner and hard working, especially when it comes to her studies. Caleb coming into her life was such a classic meet cute moment that will make you laugh.

Caleb Yates is a foreign exchange student from London, England and he will be living with the Carroll family for one year. He attends the same university as Teagan. You can say that them living together wasn't so cordial at first. With time they developed a friendship. Eventually, their friendship shifts into an attraction that becomes so very hard to deny and Teagan and Caleb finally give up and give in.

These two may be young, but they're wise beyond their years. They were always honest with one another and agreed that a long distance relationship would never work, even though Teagan knew in her heart that she could never feel the way she felt for Caleb for another.

This story was so gutting at moments, but it all came together perfectly in the end. I truly enjoyed this NA story, and as always, I look forward to whatever Penelope has in store!


*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.*
Profile Image for Dilek VT.
1,545 reviews1,486 followers
Shelved as 'lost-interest'
June 8, 2020
He has a girlfriend 44% of the book.
Profile Image for Ⓐlleskelle - That ranting lady ッ.
1,010 reviews896 followers
May 10, 2020
After riding a book slump from hell, I’m so happy to come back with the book that ended it!

“Just One Year” came as a recommendation from a friend and I’m so glad I bit the bullet despite my hesitancy at the mention of New Adult book.

Sure, I’ve enjoyed some NA but it’s definitely not the genre I’m turning to on a daily basis. The reason? Usually the downfall is immature characters displaying juvenile behavior.

Well, not this time! I was pleasantly surprised with how the author focused on character’s growth and character development. Especially given the fact the plot is pretty ordinary and nothing to write home about in the first place. (and that’s okay, similar stories can still be enjoyable.)

The later doesn’t matter anyway because what truly made this book for me was Teagan and Caleb’s chemistry and banter on the pages. I lived for their email and texting exchange, for their growing connection as they were unveiling secrets after secrets to each other, each one bringing them closer and closer.

The slow burn was delicious and made for a compelling read, the resulting angst, tension and completion was emotional and brought sexy times on the pages. This friends to lovers trope with a side of love unrequited was such a page turner it kept me awake all night when pulling an all nighter became such a rarity for me.

I loved how the hero’s charming and cocky behavior balanced the heroine’s introvert personality. A great care was given to their friendship, to their feelings, to their each and every want. I appreciated the low key drama and even the over the top coincidence toward the end of the book didn’t hinder my enjoyment.

This book was just the right amount of sexy, cute and fun. The perfect happy feels book.

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