Judging a Book by It's Cover - I'll Be The One

Welcome to my very first Judging a Book by Its Cover post. I’m hoping that I get better at this as I do it, but the idea is that I am going to take a look at a cover and try and give my opinion on it, and what the story must be about based on the cover (and the words on the cover). I am doing what I can NOT to read the blurb or any additional information, but once my ‘analysis’ is completed, I will post the blurb at the bottom. I’m hoping this will be fun, and also a break from the post after post of book reviews. Something new. So without further ado…


Title: I’ll Be The One
Author: Hazel James

The cover is bright and beautiful, featuring a sparkler. My thought is that not only is this going to be a perfect summer read – i.e. 4th of July, summer vacation, plenty of time to get in trouble and hang out with friends; but I’m also thinking the sparkler may be indicative of the main characters personality. Or perhaps it is something to do with celebration – the title also has a by-line that says “For better or for worse, in sickness and in health…as long as we both shall (graduate) live.” (So perhaps my summer prediction isn’t quite ON it! ;) ) The colors, however, scream “America” and “Freedom” and “Celebration.” The title “I’ll Be The One” indicates to me that it is likely that this is a romance (without me having to search out the genre). As far as the age group goes – My first guess was YA, but the bi-line makes me think Upper YA, and maybe pushing NA.


I do like the simplicity of this cover. While I do like covers with people on them, I’m also thankful when there are none. That way, instead of giving me a visual on what the author/publisher/cover artist thinks the characters look like, I’m free to decide on my own.

Blurb (from Goodreads):

For better or for worse, in sickness and in health, as long as we both shall graduate.

Rachel Wheaton

The senior Economics project is supposed to teach us about real life. Budgeting. Social classes. Careers. I was supposed to plan it all out with my school husband. I didn't plan on actually falling in love with him, too.

But sometimes real life doesn't go according to plans. Sometimes you have to make hard decisions and sacrifices for the person you love. That's what marriage is about, right?

James Tennyson

I've always known things before they happen. Nothing major, like lottery numbers, but it's been pretty useful for things like playing football and dodging clingy girls. I've never been able to see my future. I didn't think much about it, to be honest.

Until second period, when she walked through the door. 

Falling in love with her unlocked something inside me. Those little things I know? Now they're big things. Life-saving things. So who do I save? And at what cost? I made a vow to her.

For better or for worse, in sickness and in health, as long as we both shall live.