The Guardian critic Caroline Sullivan called the album "a decent showing from one of the less idiotic boy bands. She found that Blue's previous album
All Rise "was such a sterling example of what thoughtful production can achieve in the boy-band genre that they can be excused for duplicating it across this album. The strategy essentially pays off, though half a dozen of the 15 tracks [...] could have been left on the cutting-room floor. Things amble along in a satisfyingly low-key way, with as much attention lavished on strong, soulful harmonies as laid-back R&B trimmings."
BBC Radio Suffolk's Becky Betts found that Blue "have managed, to produce a very impressive diverse album with
One Love [...] The album is varied, brilliant and packed with talent, just like an action packed film, it will keep you on the edge of your seat wondering what you're going to hear next." Sharon Mawer from
AllMusic rated the album three stars out of five. She noted that "the lads' priorities are plainly spelled out on the track 'Without You' as they state 'I couldn't live without my cell phone, my
4X4, my credit card, I couldn't live without you' and like the previous album, it ended with a soulful ballad, 'Like a Friend.
Entertainment.ie wrote: "Maybe it's the fact that the lads themselves are grittier, laddier and sexier than their counterparts in
Westlife,
NSYNC or any of that ilk. Or maybe it's their imaginitive choice of arrangements. Whatever the reason, the music they produce is the kind of chart pop you can listen to with an easy conscience, filled with infectious grooves and soulful harmonies. At 15 tracks,
One Love is about a third too long – but it's still an entertaining, slickly-produced effort that deserves all its success." ==Track listing==