I Can Be the One By Ellie Backbourne

Published February 14th 2025 

Read July 18th-19th

 Review: I Can Be the One by Ellie Blackbourne

After my last disappointing read, I was desperately in need of a palate cleanser—something quick, fun, and engaging. At under 250 pages, I Can Be the One by Ellie Blackbourne was exactly what I was looking for. It delivered a sweet romance, lovable characters, and just enough emotional depth to keep me invested from start to finish. 

Characters – 8/10

Alexis is an English major struggling to keep her education afloat due to tuition issues. As the younger sister of a hockey player, she's already familiar with that world, but she's carrying challenges of her own. Living with fibromyalgia impacts nearly every aspect of her daily life, and Blackbourne handles this part of her character with care and realism. Alexis isn't out searching for romance, but love has a funny way of showing up when it's least expected. 

Then there's Blake—the future captain of the hockey team and, on paper, someone who seemingly has it all. As a trust fund kid, financial struggles are the last thing on his mind. Yet despite all the advantages money can provide, there's one thing he's always wanted that can't be purchased: genuine love. 

Normally, I find myself gravitating toward one protagonist more than the other, but that wasn't the case here. I genuinely enjoyed both characters equally. 

Alexis was easy to root for because we get to watch her slowly rediscover herself. Seeing her learn to accept both love given and love received was incredibly rewarding. Her fears and doubts about whether she'd ever find lasting love again felt authentic rather than manufactured for drama. 

Blake was equally charming. At first glance, he's the stereotypical confident, tough hockey player, but beneath that exterior is a man who simply wants the person he's been quietly longing for. His vulnerability balanced out his confident persona beautifully, making him much more than your typical sports romance hero. 

Atmosphere – 7/10

This category was a little harder to score. Given the book's shorter length, I understand there wasn't room to fully flesh out every aspect of the world. I would have loved a bit more campus life and a stronger sense of the college environment. 

That said, Blackbourne does an excellent job making readers feel grounded in the world she creates. Even with limited page space, the setting feels believable and supports the story well. 

The reality competition element adds an extra layer of excitement and creates opportunities for both conflict and character development. It gives the story its own identity beyond being "just another hockey romance." Overall, the atmosphere enhanced the reading experience and helped immerse me in the story. 

Writing – 7/10

This was my first experience reading Ellie Blackbourne, and it definitely left a positive impression. 

One of the biggest strengths of the writing is its efficiency. Because this is a shorter novel, the story needs to keep moving, and Blackbourne handles that expertly. The pacing is brisk without feeling rushed, and every scene feels like it has a purpose. 

What I appreciated most was that the author focused on telling an actual story rather than relying heavily on steamy scenes to carry the romance. The emotional development between Alexis and Blake takes center stage, which made their relationship feel far more meaningful. 

Could the story have gone deeper in certain areas? Absolutely. However, I also think Blackbourne deserves credit for knowing exactly where to stop. Rather than overcomplicating the narrative with unnecessary subplots or drama, she keeps the focus where it belongs. 

Her writing style is clean, accessible, and engaging. She allows the story to unfold naturally without cluttering it with extra complications that would only slow the momentum. 

Plot – 8/10

The premise immediately grabbed my attention: fake dating on a reality show where the winner receives a full scholarship. 

That's a fresh spin on a familiar trope. In many hockey romances, the athlete is usually the one who stands to gain the most from the story's setup. Here, Alexis is the person with the most at stake, which changes the dynamics in an interesting way. 

For Blake, the rewards aren't financial. Outside of potentially winning the heart of the girl he's always wanted (and let's be honest, of course he does 😉), there's little personal gain involved. That made his motivations feel genuine. 

I also loved that Alexis openly acknowledging her crush on Blake wasn't dragged out unnecessarily. It added a layer of honesty to the story and prevented the romance from becoming frustrating. 

Another element woven into the background is the impact stalking can have on its victims. Blackbourne approaches this topic thoughtfully and realistically, adding an unexpected layer of seriousness that enriches the story without overwhelming it. 

Intrigue – 8/10

This book hooked me almost immediately. 

The fast pacing worked in the story's favor, keeping the momentum high while maintaining emotional investment. I found myself genuinely caring about Alexis and Blake and eagerly turning pages to see how their relationship would develop. 

Watching their feelings grow felt natural and heartfelt, making it easy to stay invested throughout the entire journey. 

Logic – 7/10

One thing I really appreciated was the absence of unnecessary drama. 

The story remains true to the foundation it builds from the beginning. There aren't any ridiculous twists thrown in solely for shock value, and best of all, there's no frustrating third-act breakup designed to manufacture conflict. 

Even when more serious events occur, including a hospital visit, everything unfolds in a way that feels believable within the context of the story. The plot progresses naturally without forcing characters to make obviously bad decisions. 

Enjoyment – 8/10

Simply put, I had a great time with this book. 

I laughed at the humorous moments, smiled at the sweet ones, and found myself completely charmed by Alexis and Blake's journey. It's the kind of story that leaves you with a grin on your face and reminds you why romance can be such a comforting genre to read. 

I'm extremely glad I picked this one up. 

Final Verdict – 7.57/10 (★★★★☆)

I Can Be the One was exactly the palate cleanser I needed. 

For my first Ellie Blackbourne novel, I came away thoroughly impressed. She creates two distinct, complex characters and develops their relationship with warmth, sincerity, and heart. The story balances emotional depth with a light, engaging tone, making it an enjoyable read from beginning to end. 

While I would have loved a little more world-building and deeper exploration of certain themes, what Blackbourne delivers is a sweet, charming romance that knows exactly what it wants to be. 

If you're looking for a quick, enjoyable hockey romance featuring fake dating, genuine emotional growth, and characters worth rooting for, I Can Be the One is absolutely worth adding to your TBR. 📚🏒💙