I received an advanced review copy of this book from #NetGalley-- it had been listed in the most requested section and I thought it had a bit of a Mhari McFarlane vibe. After reading, I can say that you won't find the humour of a Mhari McFarlane book but it's a similar landscape and there is a similar focus on complication relationships. The book jumps between university life in early 2000s and present day which is #relatable for a woman in her early 40s.

There are one or two places where I was left wanting more-- the friendship with Clara and Lauren in particular. There are also a lot of trauma triggers so readers should go in with an understanding that this is not a breezy brit romance.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this new book by Charlotte Rixon. This one was hard to stick with. It's a great concept - boy meets girl, they fall in love, something happens to tear them apart. However, I just didn't feel like there was much to pull me into this story. The characters didn't feel deep and I couldn't picture this in my mind while I read. As a result, it took much longer to finish than I would have liked. Probably would not recommend this in the future.

content warnings: suicide bombing, cancer, death of a parent, alcoholism, self-harm, child abandonment, sexual trauma, anxiety, infertility, child abuse, grooming, anxiety, infertility, manslaughter.

This isn't really a second-chance romance. It's a story about two people, Clara and Benjamin, who got into a pretty toxic relationship back in college and after a tragic event, they stopped talking to each other. Twenty years forward and a suicide bombing is a reason these two reunite, but don't get your hopes up for much of a romance in the present. Actually, most of the book is set in the past.
To be frank, I didn't like the book. The main female character was very unlikeable, but more in a pathetic kind of way, and there was no chemistry between her and the main male character. These two were never good for each other, no matter how many times the text referred to their out-of-this-world connection. As for the plot, it was pretty boring and the only part that got my attention was the kid's storyline.
The three characters I liked were Clara's husband, the kid, and Benjamin's dad.


Thank you to NetGalley and Aria & Aries for providing an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

This was an amazing read. I was captivated by the storyline from the very beginning, and couldn’t put the book down once started. We meet Clara and Ben at various times in their lives. Ben was Clara’s first love and one she never forgot. When Clara hears there has been a terrorist attack at a football match for a team which she knew Ben always used to watch, she literally drops everything to go and find him, even though they haven’t seen each other for years.

The story is told through different timelines, from Clara and Ben’s university days right through to present day. Whilst we are taken through different years, it’s done uncomplicatedly, and the time switches are easy to follow. I liked the two main characters, although I preferred Clara as an adult. They both had flaws, issues and problems throughout their lives, but the fault for these didn’t lie with one specific person but more as a result of what happened over their lives. What did happen is revealed slowly throughout the book, but for fear of spoilers I won’t say any more about these! There are lots of different plot lines all running alongside each other, some connect, some don’t, but the author has done a fabulous job of holding the tension and suspense high throughout. Whilst I guessed where some of the stories were heading, others came as a complete shock to me!

There are some major triggers throughout this book (abuse, death, cancer, terrorism to name a few), and this may be an issue for some. The author has written these with sensitivity, but I would advise caution for those who may be affected by these. It’s a love story of sorts, but completely different to what I expected. I was completely captivated by it and could feel the differing emotions as I read. There are lots of sad parts, but equally plenty of life-affirming and uplifting moments. My second book read of the New Year but this one will stay with me for a long time. Would definitely recommend.

Benjamin and Clara meet when they’re both in University and their connection is instant. It doesn’t take long for them to fall head over heels in love with each other and make their entire lives about the relationship. But, unfortunately, all the plans they make for the future fall short when, in the last month before graduation, a devastating accident pulls them apart and their lives move on in different directions.

20 years down the line, they reunite after a bombing in the city where they met. From there, the reader is taken on the journey that was their time together and apart, in jumps between then and now, and through both Benjamin’s and Clara’s perspective.

I can’t say I didn’t enjoy the book but it was a different experience than what I anticipated. The blurb is misleading - I went in thinking it would be a second-chance romance, and instead I read a deeply character-driven tragedy, with multiple heavy topics and a lot of trauma that, sometimes, I thought was not explored enough to justify being there.

I throughly disliked Clara from the start. I tried taking it with a pinch of salt seeing she was only 18 when we meet her but she was really insufferable. That being said, I did enjoy reading about her journey as an adult woman.

Overall, I can’t say I disliked the book. I thought the last two parts were well explored, even if predictable. But what really saved it for me was the ending. I really enjoyed the way the conflicted was resolved, considering all that happened. It would feel wrong to end this story in a fairytale manner so I really appreciated the closure we got.

I would rate this book three starts.

*******************I would like to thank NetGalley, Charlotte Rixon and Aria&Aries for kindly providing this ARC.*******************

REVIEW💕
AUTHOR: Charlotte Rixon
GENRE: Romance
RATING ⭐️⭐️

“Two years together.
Twenty years apart.
One day to change their story”

When I started this book, I didn't know what to expect, probably a second chance romance. However, the outcome was totally unexpected: this story is much more than that.
Charlotte created an all too real and compelling first love story, but with too many dark twists: bombing, suicide, alcoholism, toxic relationship, cancer.... It gave the feeling that she wanted the story to be relevant and real, but the result was a stressful and triggering story that was tough to read. Also, there were so many timelines and details that it was hard to follow.

For me, the characters fell short. I didn't like Clara or Benjamin; their love story didn't seem healthy to me and I got the feeling that Clara was just trying to change Benjamin.

Overall, I think it's more of a dramatic and dark story than a romantic one. Definitely not for me, but if you are looking for a non-cliché second chance romance, this might be for you.

eARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an Honest review.

I really liked this novel by Charlotte Rixon. The characters are flawed and well rounded. The story kept my attention all the way through. The interactions are so well written they feel real. Relationships have huge ups and downs and with each encounter be they romantic, friend or family, nothing was sugar-coated. I'd recommend it, just don't expect a love story!

Natasha 'has it all'. A successful career at a big newspaper, a recent deal with a literary agent, a wonderful marriage to the handsome and caring Thom. But something is missing - from her career, her marriage and herself.

She's been so caught up in her high flying life that she hasn't left the city and gone back home in ages - until her hometown falls prey to a deadly terrorist attack at their football stadium and she finds herself running back; to the town she used to know all too well. She had to know if he was safe - if Benjamin was safe.

Her Benjamin, who she hadn't seen in almost two decades. Who she never forgot about for a moment. The boy whose life was ruined and destroyed by their relationship. The boy who loved her more than anyone else did.

And now, the reason she's putting everything on the line all over again.

"On another level, she thinks perhaps this is how it's all meant to be. A lightning strike that splits her life forever. Before and After."

A sweeping tale about the many lives and loves we leave behind us and a testament to the transformative power that our formative relationships have on our lives years or even decades later. This story makes you wonder about your own past lives; is there anyone you'd run to save even after years of not talking? Would anyone do it for you? How have you been remembered and recounted by the people you've left behind? And which ones are better left as memories?

The story moves quickly at the start - the present day section of this story mostly taking part in the space of one fateful day - and then settles in, allowing us to spend time getting to know our characters and reaching back in time to the days they met in university, as they grew into the people they are now and giving us full insight into who they were in the most confusing times of their lives as they drift in and out of each others lives - always in orbit but never quite colliding.

Ben and Clara are not likable characters - but it was part of the charm. At times it was very difficult to read as I couldn't find anything to connect with and they did get a little repetitive with their obsessions and fixations - they were hypocritical, mean, judgemental and selfish but written with such human flaws and downfalls that there was a glimmer of recognition there. The curve of their characters was clear, as we see the impact that family, trauma, social groups, and addictions can have on the trajectory of their lives and the lives around them. It's deeply emotive and unflinchingly raw, although my only issue is the darkness and depth found in this novel isn't adequately portrayed by the marketing of this story although it is much better than others I've read to have the same content.

This is a story about love, loss and longing but it isn't a romance - it's a realistic, gritty and consuming story about navigating love through troubled times and how the people we love can change our lives.

I love reading the occasional romance/chick-lit book. This book was the perfect palette-cleanser in between my hard-hitting thrillers.

I really enjoyed this book. I liked it because it didn't feel too far fetched, like some other romance booked. It wasn't overly lovey-dovey - but it was about mistakes and how each choice you make can completely change your life and take you on a different path.

I found the characters to be really likeable, and really human. I loved them with their flaws.

The whole plot of this book is really original and I thought the present day story (including the opening chapter) was brilliantly real and hard hitting. It was perfect way to hold the story together.

I definitely recommend this book!

I thought this was very good. I really enjoyed the developing relationships with characters. I liked the different time spans that the book covered and the references. I did think the female main character was a bit too toxic without any real consequence

The One That Got Away - Charlotte Rixon

Book Review
A debut for author Charlotte Rixon and one that I think has hit its mark..
I absolutely loved it...❤️
Loved Benjamin, loved Clara, loved their story...
Author Charlotte Rixon otherwise known as Charlotte Duckworth finds her niche in this genre..
Whilst I loved her books in the crime, psychological thriller genre, I do love her romantic fiction story...
I'm undecided on which is my favourite....
We meet Benjamin & Clara in this story...
A relationship so filled with mistrust and insecurities.
They wanted to love each other and they had such a connection but life simply got in the way.
I hoped they could sort things out. I crossed my fingers for them so many times.
A brilliant read, so very well worth your time....
Love, love, loved it....

I’m not sure why this book was marketed as a romance. Sure, there are romantic elements, but there’s a lot more of them going on in this book, and many of them might be triggering.

Pre-warned, I went into this book with an open mind. And yet, I found it a difficult read. Not the content, but the connection. I just couldn’t find it.

Thank you to Charlotte Rixon, Aria & Aries, and NetGalley for an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A moving, heartfelt and wonderfully written story of life, love and loss. Brilliantly layered, full of intrigue and with characters that kept me gripped until the end. Fabulous.

This novel takes place in a span of decades and goes back and forth between past and present. I personally am not a fan of flashbacks but it was done well here; however it often really slowed down the plot for me and made it hard for me to keep going. It is very slow pace. Although the plot was intriguing, I found it difficult to root for the characters at times. Was their love really bone shaking? I liked Benjamin though.

Another thing to add is that their story was relatable. We all have that true love that may have gotten away. It was nostalgic. Traumatic.

I really enjoyed this, and read it in a day. I like that it doesn’t fit neatly into any genre and is unapologetic about that - it is simply a cracking story. Prepare to be transported back to the days of your first love… and to be made to think “what if…?”. I loved Benjamin and his story, was less keen on Clara but it didn’t stop me enjoying the novel.

The one that got away by Charlotte Rixon

“ A simple life, with people I love. That’s all I ever wanted!” ❤️
I just finished reading the book on my kindle.
I can say about the book that I had an idea of ​​the possible story from the beginning, but was surprised again towards the middle of the book. The book tells a touching story about the first great love and about how difficult it can be to forget it... or not!
I found it very exciting to experience both sides of the story, because both protagonists were written from their point of view.

Already at the beginning of the book I had tears of emotion in my eyes, and the end of the book doesn't leave you cold either.
I find it admirable that particularly serious topics and violent blows of fate such as assassination attempts, death, illnesses, suffering, fraud, addictions and infertility are also addressed.
Incredibly touching story with the perfect ending for me! Only to be recommended!

This book was a delight to read. It deals with many heavy topics and touches on the complicated parts of what being in a relationship means. The story is also set between the past and the present and it is a nice contrast to have since it helps you appreciate the growth of these characters more.

This book wasn't at all what I expected but for that I'm glad. It's a reminder of harsh times and it made me feel very raw. The first few chapters were a little hard to get into, especially with the time jumps but once I got into the story I found it easier too keep up with. It was nice to get the background knowledge of what Clara and Benjamin's relationship was first like and all throughout the book I was just hoping things would work out. I'm giving this book 4/5, its incredibly well written but I think some people might struggle with the time jumps.

Had a bad feeling about this one from the beginning and was proven right. This was a couple books in one and none of them done well. The love story was trite, absolutely none of the characters were remotely like able and there didn’t seem to be any reason they were together. Didn’t buy their unbreakable chemistry. The second story was a series of smaller mysteries involving a bomb and soccer, and I just did not care. Not a single character was compelling, most were annoying.

The One That Got Away is a really powerful story, written with a strong voice. The connection between Benjamin and Clara is so strong that at times it feels like a danger to themselves and to those around them. The way Charlotte Rixon writes the chapters from the different characters points-of-view really allows the reader to explore the issues. I found all my alarm bells ringing as soon as Aidan had a sudden change of heart about playing football. It actually felt really uncomfortable knowing that his Dad, Benjamin knew something was wrong but not the severity of it. I liked the way the story ends with hope and open possibilities.