One and Only Shines as February Book Pick

Quick Smiles:

• “One & Only” by Maurene Goo is Jenna Bush Hager’s February 2026 book club selection.
• The story follows Cassia Park, a matchmaker whose family can find soulmates by looking into past lives.
• The novel explores themes of fate, love, and self-discovery, with a touch of magical realism.

Jenna Bush Hager has chosen “One & Only” as her February book club pick, calling it a speedy and joyful read ideal for the month of love.

The novel centers on Cassia Park, who works alongside generations of women in her family’s thriving Los Angeles matchmaking business.

These women possess a unique ability: they can uncover someone’s fated soulmate by delving into the past.

“She believes in soulmates because it’s her family business. She comes from a long line of women who can predict people’s fated soulmate. Cassia knows who her soulmate is, and yet he can’t be found,” explained Jenna.

As Cassia navigates fate and the possibility of free will, she finds herself in a love triangle that challenges her beliefs about destiny and commitment.

Maurene Goo, making her adult fiction debut, shared that she wanted to write a story centered on happiness, romance, and family connections.

“All I knew was I really want to write something with romance at its core. I want it to be joyful and fun,” Goo said.

Inspiration struck when Goo decided to blend romance with Korean matchmaking traditions, adding a magical element unique to her culture.

“I was thinking of a magic specific to Korean culture — matchmaking. They have all these practices going back generations and generations,” she noted.

With a sprinkle of magic and heartfelt questions about what love truly means, “One & Only” invites readers to reflect on the nature of soulmates and the choices that define us.

“What if I had a soulmate and I knew it. What would I do about that? Would I believe it?” asked Goo. “What actually is important in a love story?”

This enchanting novel promises plenty of joy and reflection for readers this February.

For more uplifting stories and feel-good reads, be sure to join us next time!

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