Warning: Do not judge this book by its title because the story is totally surprising and unexpected!

When I received the ARC of "The Ones Who Got Away," I thought that it was a horror story in the likes of "I Know You What Did Last Summer" franchise. I was surprised that it was actually a romance and that this story was ripped from today's headlines was totally unexpected.

From Columbine to Sandy Hook, school shootings have been headline news in the past decade. These were always horrific and sad stories, followed by public outcry. Still, no matter how dreadful these events were, they were forgotten when a new scandal or crisis break. And while the rest of the world goes on, the survivors have to deal with the aftermath for a very long time.

This was the premise of "The Ones Who Got Away." Focusing on five of the 18 survivors of what was dubbed as the bloodiest school shooting in America, author Roni Loren brings to light how survivors coped, albeit in fiction form.

Four girls - Olivia, Rebecca, Kincade, Taryn - and a boy – Finn, all five of them who are now adults meet in their old high school to film a documentary about the shooting. Memories of their high school days, the shooting and the aftermath are brought to light as the characters interacted.

And, like a phoenix rising from the ashes, author Roni Loren cleverly brought romance center stage which in turn fleshed out the characters to be three-dimensional.

A beautiful love story that tugs at your heartstrings because of the tragedy that surrounded it. This book revolved around Liv and Finn. But, there are three more – Rebecca, Kincade and Taryn. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that Loren will make this a series so that we can learn the story of these three women.

"Those Who Got Away" is Rated M for Mature due to language, violence and sexual content.

Just one look at this cover and I knew that I had to read it. When I read the synopsis, I was surprised by how unique the story sounded and I couldn't wait for the chance to pick it up!

12 years after they survived a school shooting on prom night, five friends are brought back together to their hometown and pasts they've run away from to take part in a documentary as the ones who got away. Liv Arias was the wild child in high school and knows her teenage self would be appalled by the safe, bland life she's living now. When she runs into Finn Dorsey, Liv can't help but feel the chemistry that fueled their secret relationship as teenagers. But Finn can never forgive himself for what he did the night of the shooting and is dealing with some demons of his own. As an undercover cop, Finn will do anything to prevent another shooting like that again, but being around Liv again has made him feel more human than he has in a very long time.

Oh wow. From the beginning you know this book is going to have some serious conflict for our main couple of their desire to be together. Finn did something pretty unforgivable when they were in the shooting and it's so hard for him to live with himself and what he did. I loved how all of the characters are getting back together and reflecting on how they wanted to live their lives after being the survivors of a horrible tragedy. This made Liv take a good look at her life and realize who she was and who she really wants to be. I enjoyed watching her and Finn try to figure out their feelings for each other and if they really had a chance now after their painful history together.

And can we take a minute to appreciate Finn's character? He's an undercover cop and I LOVE a good cop romance. He is so protective and I loved how he was there for Liv when she was still dealing with PTSD over what happened to her in the shooting. It was fun watching Liv try to help Finn acclimate to society again after being undercover for two years and I just couldn't get enough of them together.

Overall, I really enjoyed The Ones Who Got Away. I haven't read a romance like this and I really enjoyed the depth of the history between the two main characters. If you're at all interested in this one, you definitely have to pick it up!

I love this book so much! Two high school (secret) sweethearts reunite in this tale of what happens to two adults after being victims of a school shooting. Finn is easily a lovable hero who psychologically battles his own demons. While Olivia is equally exploring her own path and growing from a tragedy she has long since let herself stayed recluse because of. This fast paced book while make you laugh out loud, say some "aww"'s out loud and feel good. I can't wait to read the next installment and see what happens to the others that have been a part of this book. Roni delivers what she does best - an excellent story, amazing writing and book you do not want to put down! This is definitely a 2018 must read for everyone!!

This is my first book by this author and will not be my last. This book was an emotional read for me. After reading the blurb I knew I need this book and I wasn’t disappointed.

Olivia and Finn were high school sweet hearts when their school was attacked twelve years ago. Most of their friends were killed and some how both of them and some others survived. They are all together again doing interviews on the anniversary of the tragedy.

The way this author wrote this book was perfection, it was raw. There was times I was in tears, I would make sure you have tissues near by. I highly recommend this book.

Liv's words cut off as Finn got closer. The man approaching was nothing like the boy she'd known. The bulky football muscles had streamlined into a harder, leaner package and the look in his deep green eyes held no trace of boyish innocence.

It's been twelve years since tragedy struck the senior class of Long Acre High School. Only a few students survived that fateful night—a group the media dubbed The Ones Who Got Away.

Liv Arias thought she'd never return to Long Acre—until a documentary brings her and the other survivors back home. Suddenly her old flame, Finn Dorsey, is closer than ever, and their attraction is still white-hot. When a searing kiss reignites their passion, Liv realizes this rough-around-the-edges cop might be exactly what she needs...




Review:




Tragedy, secret romance and second chances is what this book is full of. As teenagers when their school becomes the site of a mass shooting, it changes the life of 5 students. Years later they come together again for a documentary. It brings up regrets, redemption and closure. At the heart of this story is Liv and Finn who were secretly dating when tragedy strikes and we see what their choices bring about and how it tears these two apart. Later they come together and that spark of love is still there. They must both come to grips with the past and give in to their love.




All of Ms. Loren's books have a lot of emotional quality to them, this one is even more so. Maybe it is the subject matter, mass shootings, but it is what comes after too. The After is handled excellently and you really care about what happened to all of the characters and especially want Liv and Finn to come together. As for Liv and Finn, there is really nothing not to like about both of them. They are at a crossroads and really like the process and outcome of how they work towards being a couple. Another thing I really liked was how the shooting brought together the group of girls who would not have become friends if not for working through what happened. I liked that they were strong and supportive of each other.




This is the first book in the series and I really cannot wait to see which person gets their story next.




Excellently written with romance with heart.




4.5Stars




*I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this book provided by the publisher.*

The Ones Who Got Away is the first book I have read by Roni Loren and I must say I was impressed. This book is dark and twisty with the weighty subject of a school shooting and how the survivors are coping twelve years later. The romance is off-the-charts hot and I couldn't put this book down.

Liv has PTSD from having a gun held to her head while Finn has made it his life mission to track down the people who were responsible for putting the guns into the hands of the shooters. They are still attracted to each other after all those years and the memories of that night, and their chemistry is smoking hot. I was rooting for them the whole time.

I would highly recommend this if you like contemporary romance that is a little on the darker side.

4.5 Stars ~ Top Pick

I don’t believe I have ever read a book by Roni Loren but she is now on my radar. Flying high too! I enjoyed this story so much. It was almost perfect in my opinion.

I’m rather impressed by the unique way that Liv and Finn have reconnected. The circumstances are tragic and very painful. The event that occurred almost 12 years ago seemed to take a hold of all of the characters not just Liv and Finn. A shooting in a high school twelve years ago and they are the survivors. Is the story angsty? Yes but it is more heavy as it broaches on some serious issues.

The second half or should I say the last quarter of the book seem to lose some of it’s momentum. The romance took over the story and Liv and Finn took a different turn. The reason why Finn couldn’t be with Liv is so contrived. The author didn’t need to try to throw in some unnecessary drama with the main characters. Then she wrapped it up in the next chapter as if she didn’t introduce the drama to begin with.

I wanted more of the background story and maybe some glimpses of their past relationship. There is too much telling and not enough showing the previous connection between Liv and Finn that slightly annoyed me since they were so hot in the present time. They barely spoke about their time together and only seem to reminisce about sneaking off to make out. Doesn’t sound like some grand love affair to me? Just some teenage lust.

Finn and Liv have such a deep and intense connection in the current time. The steamy cover is tied into a sexy scene in the book. Finn and Liv forge a new friendship and learn who they are as adults outside of the tragic events that shaped their lives. They learn to lean on one another and the passion that they previous had grows from some brief high school fling into a full blown adult relationship.

Outside of the romantic elements, there is a hint of a mystery surrounding the events that happened long time ago. Now that I discovered this is a series, I wonder what else will the readers learn about what really happened that night. I’m really interesting in Rebecca’s story.

~ Samantha

4.5 Stars

Both uplifting and heart-rending, this book was unputdownable. Roni Loren treads thoughtfully with a weighty subject, school shootings, and the result is a thought-provoking and emotional read.

The survivors of the Long Acre school shooting have returned for a difficult reunion, a documentary about the shooting and "The Ones Who Got Away". Olivia and Finn, two survivors with an unresolved past, haven't seen each other in more than a decade. When they run into each other, it knocks emotions loose that have been tightly held for years.

Taking the reader from present to past, we learn the devastating events of the day that changed their lives and how certain choices, secrets, and things left unsaid can hurt, even change the way you see yourself and how you are willing to walk through life.

I adored Olivia and Finn. I couldn't help but root for them as they battled their personal demons. The secondary characters injected levity and a bit of fun—especially Kincaid—while others added a bit of tension. And, while I might have been a bit worried at points that the story could dive into an easy trope or two to drive the story, I needn't have been. This author didn't take that route, thankfully, and what we get is great storytelling.

If you are looking for a poignant, emotional read, I highly recommend The Ones Who Got Away. I will definitely be reading the next in the series.

Scarred by a high school shooting tragedy 12 years ago, Liv and Finn are back for the filming of the documentary. They are stunned by the attraction that is still there. Will this wounded couple find their way back to each other? An emotional story of facing your past and opening yourself up for a second chance.

The Ones Who Got Away was a tough story to read. Especially given all the recent events happening in our world. I read this book in October and the Las Vegas shooting is still a hard thing to swallow. So, reading this shortly after that tragic event gave me the feels. I definitely shed a few tears while reading this.

I’m no stranger to Roni Loren’s work. However, I usually read her adult stuff, and while this is also an adult novel, it had a much darker and deeper tone to it. The entire story is underlined by this tragic event that happened when they were seniors in high school. Liv has PTSD from being found in the janitorial closet and having a gun held up to her head by the shooter, Finn has submerged himself into finding the people responsible for giving those two teens guns, and the few others we meet who also survived the attack are also affected my that horrific event over a decade ago. While they all made it out of there alive, not one of them made it out unscathed.

While this story revolves around some dark stuff, it also deals with healing. This group gets together after all these years to film a documentary for the anniversary, and they manage to come together. None of them would have been friends beforehand, but their shared suffering has brought them together and they form a bond that cannot be broken. I know the story focuses on the second chance romance of Finn and Liv, but I really liked seeing the girls all come together. They were such a random mix of personalities and backgrounds but they all had one thing in common, and that is what brought them together and made them become almost sisters.

Now, I won’t lie to you, the romance was off the charts. Which is to be expected when Roni is writing. So, if you are a romance junkie like myself, you won’t be disappointed. That cover? Yeah, that’s a hot and steamy scene from the book. Finn and Liv may not have seen each other since the shooting, but their romance apparently never dwindled throughout the years.

I could honestly go on and on about this story. I just loved everything about it. It was the perfect balance between dark and romance. The time-frame of when I read it in relation to a mass shooting, really brought it home for me. So, it really brought out a lot of emotion. I found myself really attached to all the characters I met, no matter how brief their moment in the story was. Yeah, when you find yourself a blubbering mess because of a dedication to the victims that takes place in the story, you know the author has written one hell of a story.

I loved this book. When I realized it had a school shooting event in the book, I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to read it. I'm so happy I pushed through and read it, this book is very well done.

I read the ARC of this book at a very difficult time, weeks after two mass shootings in the U.S. and so it tore my heart out from the start. Twelve years after a mass shooting at their high school prom several classmates who survived are reunited for a documentary about the incident and where they are today. While the incident cast a heavy shadow on this book and there is no doubt all the characters in it were affected by it in some way, author Roni Loren managed to temper those heavy moments with hope, laughter, and the message to live your life without apologies. The Ones That Got Away was a brilliant and hopeful love story and worthy of being made into a movie.

There were really two parts to this story one was the romance between Liv and Finn who had a secret love affair back in high school and the other was the story of four women who became friends after the incident while in group therapy. I honestly can’t say which part of the story I liked the best because they were both special and expertly written. I’ll start with the four women; as teens they really didn’t travel in the same social circles and weren’t friends, but the tragedy they survived and the feelings they shared during their therapy bonded them together.
Together again after twelve years, they open a time capsule of letters that bring forth a wave of emotions and have each of them reassessing their lives. This leads to Liv making some decisions and revisiting her relationship with Finn, but Finn has some guilt stemming from the incident and the danger he feels he placed Liv in on that fateful night.

Over the course of the summer Finn and Liv reacquaint themselves with each other and get to know the adults they’ve become, they share a lot and while they are both counting down to when Finn will have to leave again for his job, they both fall hopelessly in love again. During their time together they deal with their feelings from the incident, their pain, fears, and the different roads they took after high school but Ms. Loren softens that with flirty, sexy fun taking what could have been an extremely heavy story and making it a beautiful romance.

While The Ones That Got Away featured a reunited lovers story, this book was a thought provoking, emotional, and hopeful story of loss, love, and the power to keep going after a tragedy strikes. I can’t wait to see what Ms. Loren has in store for the other three women.

I absolutely love some emotional grit in romance and it's often hard to find that doesn't seem contrived for drama purposes. This book was amazing. The emotions of each character as they try to move on from a very traumatic event felt so honest and real.

The story is the aftermath of trauma and how you can move on and there can be good things. It's also about two people being given a second chance at a love that was stunted because of the trauma. This book is a wonderful (but painful) journey towards finding peace—with what happened, with what was lost and with allowing yourself to thrive. I loved both Liv and Finn and their finding their way back to each other.

This is a voluntary review of an advanced copy.

This book blew me away, while I love romance books, I really enjoy romances with a little more to them - intrigue or mystery so this was a great book for me! We are introduced to the few classmates that survived a shooting by two of their fellow classmates, and see that even after 12 years, they are still either dealing with the after-effects for are dulling their pain to not feel.

Liv and Finn were secretly dating and when the shooting started, Finn left Liv to rescue Rebecca, his date. Now, that really sounds bad, and you have to wait a long time to hear more details and until the end to realize that really made a positive difference in whether Liv was "allowed" to live. (Don't want to say too much and give away any spoilers.)

I am glad that this is book one, and can look forward to finding out more about the other women, especially Rebecca - why did she know that she was at the top of their hit list?!! Each of the four women sound like they have a great story so I am really looking forward to the next books in this series!

There were so many things that Liv had to sort out in her life and until the four women read their time capsule letter, I don't think she realized that she was not really living her life but just trying to keep the pain dulled by either drinking, sex and later becoming a workaholic. The reunion and Finn really helped her wake up and see that she needed to find her "happy" or the shooters would win.

I really hope that when we read Rebecca's book, that we know more about why Finn left Liv to rescue Rebecca. I am not sure if we are supposed to come to our own conclusion or more will be revealed in later books but all I could surmise was that he felt guilty and wanted to help Rebecca but not sure what he was thinking he could do against two armed shooters!

Finn was a great character as you could see his change from the teen who liked Liv and had to hide their relationship if he wanted his father to keep supporting him, to the adult Finn who was an FBI agent, dedicated to bringing down the people who supplied guns to the shooters.

Also, Yeah! for Finn's mom!

For me, this was a great start to a new series and I am cannot wait for the next book, and hope that we learn more about who is supplying the guns to the teens and why, as well as see these survivors as they make their life matter instead of just getting through each day.

I'm a huge Roni Loren fan & this tease of her new book has left me wanting more. Her characters are always strong with a hint of vulnerability & chemistry that would blow the roof off any building they happen to be in. This new book looks to be no different with the heat between Finn & Liv. Can't wait for this book to come out.I'm a huge Roni Loren fan & this tease of her new book has left me wanting more. Her characters are always strong with a hint of vulnerability & chemistry that would blow the roof off any building they happen to be in. This new book looks to be no different with the heat between Finn & Liv.......I wrote these words back in July when I read the teaser & they are truer now than when I wrote them. The damage caused by their past tragedy has changed the lives of Finn & Liv but it hasn't changed the love they still feel for each other even 12 yrs later. What starts out with a return to their hometown for an interview of the survivors for the charity documentary on the tragedy, turns into a chance for 4 of the survivors to come together & reconnect. It also brings Finn & Liv back to each other. For Finn his life's goal has been to find the people responsible for putting the guns in the hands of the killers, putting himself in danger for years as an undercover FBI agent. Now back in Liv's life, he's stuck between staying with his mission & showing Liv just what she means to him. Liv's life also takes a new direction after old promises come to life & decides to try to make her dreams come true, including her dreams of Finn. With attempts at shedding the past & changing their futures these survivors grow through the experience of opening their teenage promises for the future & a chance to live the lives that they promised their fallen classmates they would. The story was written with strength in the characters, but also with a certain vulnerability that the tragedy has put in their lives. The gravitational pull between Finn & Liv is still so strong & the chemistry between them is still off the charts. The beauty & love coming out of this book is amazing. Definitely recommend this book. I received an ARC from Net Galley for an honest review.

Updated 1/2/18:
Ripped my heart out, shredded it and then healed it.

I think I've read everything that Roni Loren has written. I started out with her Loving on the Edge series when I discovered the books in digital format at my public library. I immediately checked all of her books out and devoured them. Next for me was her Pleasure Principle series; also devoured. For readers of those to very erotic romance series I caution you that The Ones Who Got Away (TOWGA) is not an erotic romance, but, OMG – this story! If this story doesn't win an award by some noted organization for romance authors it will be a terrible injustice IMHO.

TOWGA is one of the most compelling stories I've read in a while; easily in my top 5 for 2017 (not published until 2018). I've said it before; a good writer can excel in more than one genre/subgenre and this proves that about Roni Loren. Although this is not an erotic romance like most of her other books, there is enough hot, sexy time to be very satisfying.

There is simply no way for me to do justice to this book with anything that I'd write.

A review copy was provided by the publisher via NetGalley but this did not influence my opinion or rating of the book.


***********************************
THIS "review" is only for the SNEAK PEEK edition that was on NetGalley.

I've loved every story by Roni Loren that I've read (and I think I've read all of hers). Reading the Sneak Peek for The Ones Who Got Away was almost like torturing myself. I knew when I started it that I would be going nuts for the rest of the book by the time I finished the Sneak Peek - and I was.

This is a very intriguing story and I haven't read a romance with this kind of theme before. Survivors of a school shooting reunite 12 years after the incident. None of them have kept in touch and they're finding out how much all of them have changed.

January 2018 is a long way off yet. I can't wait to read the entire book and hope I'm fortunate enough to get an ARC from NetGalley.

Great character and storyline development kept me totally entranced throughout the whole book!

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.

This is a unique take on a second chance romance that I really enjoyed. I liked that it touches on a subject that is in the forefront of the news right now with school shootings without being too political -- it focuses more on the struggle that survivors must endure on a daily basis. But it's not all about that, this is a solid 4.5 star read for me because it had everything I love in second-chance romances -- intensity, emotional connection with the characters, a bit of angst and a nice amount of steam. This is my first experience reading this author, but it won't be the last -- would definitely recommend!

I’ll just start off by disclosing that I’m a big fan of this author. I LOVED Nice Girls Don’t Ride, so when I saw this one on Netgalley, I practically hurt myself clicking so fast to request a copy. Well, needless to say, I loved this one just as much as Nice Girls Don’t Ride, maybe even more.

First of all, the setup of this second-chance romance is totally unique, as far as I know. I don’t remember any other romances EVER that focused on the survivors of a school shooting. And there are sooooo many plots that have been used in soooo many romance novels over the years that when I find something unique, I feel compelled to give the author a big “atta girl” for it. So...atta girl!

Second of all, I really loved how deep the author dived into the characters’ feelings about their ordeal. The challenges, the conflicts, the survivor’s guilt, the PTSD...it all felt REAL. Nothing felt forced for the sake of drama and angst, which I really appreciated. (I HATE angst for the sake of angst, you know?)

I adored Liv and Finn. They were a little lost emotionally, but were far from broken by their pasts. And their banter back and forth (particular their text banter) was all kinds of quirky, fun, and adorable.

As I’ve come to expect from this author, the character’s sexy times were of the holy-hell-that’s-hot variety, but didn’t ever overshadow the story at any point. It was always clear that there was far more to this couple’s bond than just sex.

The secondary characters were endlessly fascinating. I seriously hope this was book 1 in a planned series for the author, because I’d 1-click the crap out of more stories about this group of survivors.

Long-story-short: do yourselves a favor, folks. Go ahead and download this one. You won’t regret it.

Full disclosure: We received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

The Ones Who Got Away

*received in arc in exchange for an honest review**

5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Ten pages into this book an I was hooked! This was my first book by Roni Loren and it will not be my last. She weaves an amazing story about two people who have been involved in a horrible tragedy and how it has shaped their lives. Liv is trying to make up for all that she put her parents through after the tragedy but has somehow lost herself, while Finn is trying to fight the past and makeup for what happened all those years ago in the hallway. Roni Loren will have you hooked waiting to see if they will realize that maybe starting over and giving each other a chance will help them not only grow but help heal those wounds from years ago.

Liv can’t believe she is back at the high school where she was involved in a shooting. While people lost their lives she was spared and lives everyday with what happened. And when she goes back for the anniversary of the shooting she isn’t expecting to see Finn again. And when she does she realizes that maybe she still feels something for him.

Finn knew it was a bad idea to come back to his hometown, but he needs time off after his latest mission. He is definitely not expecting to see Liv, his high school girlfriend. But when he does he can’t help but feel the pull of attraction again.

Once they decide to stay in contact with each other they begin to form a bond again. And soon Liv is staying with him at the Lake House on the weekends while she tries to go back to what she loves, photography. But are they ready for what it will lead to?

Liv and Finn find themselves wanting to have a relationship but at the same time knowing it isn’t possible with their lives. But are they willing to give it a chance? Or will the past be too much to overcome?