THE ONLY ONE is my sixth novel, and it’s the second I have written in the young adult/coming-of-age genre. My debut novel, OTHER WORDS FOR LOVE, is also YA, and it takes place in the 1980s (beginning in 1985). Listening to songs from that decade helped me create the setting and the story’s various moods—and music has always inspired me while planning and writing each of my books.
Although THE ONLY ONE is set in the present day, its playlist comes from the past, and every song has a meaningful connection to the characters, the setting, and/or a particular scene. These songs include:
“Wishing on a Star” –Rose Royce
The protagonist of THE ONLY ONE, seventeen-year-old Eden Russo, has never known her mother, Dawn, who passed away when Eden was five months old. Eden’s father, Marty, tries to keep Dawn’s memory alive through objects she left behind—such as photos and jewelry. Eden treasures Dawn’s belongings, and she mentions that she has heard her mother’s voice only “in my parents’ wedding video, in which their first-dance song was chosen by Mom. The song was her favorite, and it was from a long time ago…” That song is “Wishing on a Star,” a ballad released in 1977 that was subsequently recorded by several artists, including Beyonce - a version played during a pivotal scene in THE ONLY ONE.
“If I Can’t Have You” –Yvonne Elliman
THE ONLY ONE takes place in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn—where Marty has spent his entire life—and as Eden tells her best friend, Libby: “I’m sure you’ve noticed how proud he is of being from Bay Ridge and how often he mentions that Saturday Night Fever was filmed here.” They discuss that Marty’s late mother saw the film numerous times and “constantly played the soundtrack.” Marty has kept one of his mother’s records from that soundtrack—“If I Can’t Have You”—and Eden and Libby enjoy listening to the song on an old phonograph. “The music and the lyrics and the singer’s yearning voice were a reminder of what I’d been hoping for—a guy who would mean everything to me…” says Eden, and Libby feels the same way.
“Dim All the Lights” –Donna Summer
Marty owns a popular Italian restaurant in Bay Ridge, and he cherishes his mother’s favorite 1970s music. Eden says that Marty’s restaurant “had the same old-school soundtrack as other Italian restaurants in New York—including The Godfather theme played at least once daily—and sometimes, Dad hosted Seventies Night, when the place was filled with voices of vintage disco divas.” One of those singers is Donna Summer, and although “Dim All the Lights” isn’t specifically mentioned in THE ONLY ONE, it reflects the romantic elements of the story and is a song that Marty surely would include in Seventies Night.
“Please Come Home for Christmas” –The Eagles
THE ONLY ONE takes place from June until August of the following year, so Christmas has a role in the novel. “Please Come Home for Christmas” plays during an important scene between Eden and another character at her house on Christmas night.
“Welcome to the Jungle” –Guns N’ Roses
Libby’s mother, Krystal, drives a car she shares with Libby’s older brother, Wade. Eden unexpectedly finds herself in that car with some of Wade’s friends—including his best friend, Shea Dwyer. “Wade drove away from the curb, grabbed one of Krystal’s old CDs from the glove compartment, and stuck it into a slot in the dashboard. He cranked up the volume on “Welcome to the Jungle” too high…” Eden says, and the song fits with her introduction to Wade’s true nature and the scene that ensues while he takes everyone in the car on a chaotic ride.
Eden Russo is lucky in many ways, but her life is far from perfect. She can’t remember a time when her devoted father, Marty—the owner of a popular Brooklyn restaurant—and her protective brother, Drew—an aspiring lawyer—weren’t at odds. She also has no memory of her mother, whose death continues to cast a shadow over the family she left behind.
Eden hopes to attend her dream college next year, and she cherishes her bond with Marty, Drew, and her best friend, Libby King. But she’s concerned about Libby’s attraction to Shea Dwyer, an alluring young man with a troubling history.
Eden’s opinion of Shea evolves as the truth about his past is uncovered, causing painful rifts in treasured relationships. Even more difficult are the challenges she faces when her world is unexpectedly shattered. While Eden struggles to hold on to everything that matters, she gets closer to the love she has always hoped to find.
Literature and Fiction Literary [ Tribeca Press, On Sale: November 10, 2026, Paperback / e-Book, ISBN: 9798993150314 / ]
Lorraine Zago Rosenthal is the author of six novels.The Only One is Lorraine’s second young adult novel. Her debut YA novel, Other Words for Love, was published by Random House (Delacorte Press). She also writes women’s fiction: New Money (St. Martin’s Press), Independently Wealthy (St. Martin’s Press), Charmed (Tribeca Press), and Always and Forever (Tribeca Press).Lorraine is originally from New York City, and she is a graduate of the University of South Florida. She earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and master’s degrees in education and English. She currently lives near Cincinnati, Ohio, with her husband.
No comments posted.
© 2003-2026