“A simple life with people I love. That’s all I’ve ever wanted.”

The One That Got Away was a fascinating read about some of the most difficult parts of the human experience. Sometimes the smallest thread of untruth, one simple decision, taking a chance on someone or something, can have such a profound impact on life.

I truly feel this book deserves a higher average rating, but I can see why it may be off putting to some readers. There are many heavy topics including alcoholism, infertility, death, a mass bombing, rape, etc (check trigger warnings) but I feel the author portrays these events in a way that are relevant and relatable to the real challenges and hardships of life.

Clara and Benjamin are two ordinary people who are imperfect and trying to figure their lives out. The story spans the course of over 20 years of their lives most difficult and beautiful moments. While this story was sad, I found myself wanting to know how life turned out for both main characters and was still able to experience hope, joy, and healing through their eyes.

If you are looking for a quick, but meaningful read I think you may enjoy this story.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for the arc. All opinions are my own.

Main Characters:
-- Clara Davies-Clark Beaumont – early 40s, journalist, married to Thom Beaumont for 10 years, but still thinks about her college boyfriend
-- Benjamin Edwards – Clara’s college boyfriend, has a son Aiden; always spent his Saturdays watching soccer, especially if Newcastle City was playing
-- Lauren – Clara’s college roommate and best friend, works in human resources, the only other person who knows everything about Clara and Benjamin
-- Thom Beaumont – Clara’s husband, successful jeweler, proposed to Clara after they were together for six months

Trigger Warning: terrorism, sexual assault

The One That Got Away tells the story of Clara and Benjamin over the span of 22 years. It begins with a bombing at a soccer stadium in Newcastle, which is where Clara and Benjamin meet. Clara works for a newspaper, and when she hears the breaking news, she finds herself buying a ticket for the three-hour train ride to Newcastle from London. She tells her husband that she’s out with Lauren and sets out to find Benjamin. She must make sure he’s alive.

Over the course of the book, we experience Clara and Benjamin’s love story told in alternating chapters from each of their points of view. They had an amazing love story in college, seemingly perfect for one another and deeply in love. But something happened that tore them apart, and the author does a great job of offering pieces of their past and present along the way.

This story is perfectly paced with tidbits thrown in that make you want to keep reading. I wanted to know why Clara and Benjamin split up because they seemed so perfectly matched. Despite their split, they kept tabs on one another and reached out occasionally. The biggest question, of course, is what happened to split them up to begin with because they obviously never stopped loving one another.

When I looked up the author, I discovered that Charlotte Rixon is a pen name for Charlotte Duckworth, a bestselling suspense writer and who I previously rated 4 stars for Unfollow Me (Who Wants to be Internet Famous?). Suddenly, the desire to keep reading made perfect sense. This is romantic women’s fiction, but I definitely felt the suspense.

I think everyone has someone in their past who pops into their head every once in a while. Where did they end up? Are they happy? Do they have a family, kids? Rixon’s book takes those thoughts a step further because Clara and Benjamin never stop thinking about one another. Their lives kind of revolve around the what if, and I enjoyed discovering it right along with them.

I hope Charlotte Rixon continues to write suspenseful women’s fiction. I will definitely continue to read it.

I found Clara utterly unlikeable and I don’t know what this novel was trying to be or do, but it simply didn’t work for me. I found it depressing and all over the place and …messy. 2 stars.

Thank you to Net Galley and the Publisher for this Advanced Readers Copy of The One that Got Away by Charlotte Rixon

Well, when I was so intrigued to read some heart wrenching, angsty love story of soul mates who meet after twenty years in the middle of bomb explosion!

I am a big fan of second chance romances. But I had hard time to get into the story because of so many time lines and I was false informed. Ben and Clara who were high school sweethearts parted their ways but it didn’t take 20 years long for them to meet each other!
I think I had also hard time connect with both of the characters and their intimate love story.

There are so many triggering subjects included: suicide bomber, rape, alcoholism, mental health issues, parent death, cancer, IVF, manslaughter. The bombardment of those heavy stuffs gave me hard time digest everything I read.

I personally hated the guts of Clara from the beginning. So I can honestly say this book is more a mid life crisis than heartwarming second chance love story between so much flawed and dislikable characters.

So I’m giving three solid stars and getting out of here.

I'm a HUGE fan of second chance romances and was so excited to start this one about star crossed lovers who meet again after twenty years.

The timelines didn't bother me that much and I thought they were easy to follow. I also enjoy reading about an unlikeable female character, so many critiques of Clara were my favorite parts about her.

I though overall it was nostalgic, heartbreaking and thoughtful! 3.5 rounded up to 4 stars

I really enjoyed the premise of this book. It did leave me wanting a bit more though. I will be recommending it!

Thank you to @Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for an advanced copy of this book.

The premise was so appealing...the book ultimately was not. I love myself a second-chance romance and I thought I would love this but Clara is unlikable. Benjamin is more favorable. I know characters should be flawed but, dang, Clara reads as whiny and clingy all throughout. It is understandable as a university student since we all try to figure ourselves at that age (and really our whole lives) but over two decades, I did not see her grow as much as Ben. I did not feel their chemistry and wanted Ben to find someone else.

I did appreciate such heavy themes the book tackles, however. And, there were a lot of them. It is not a lighthearted read by any means.

This book was hard for me to get into. I was not invested in the main characters or their journey.
I did like the multiple timelines, and POV’s

🖤 The One That Got Away ARC Review 🖤

Thank you so much to Charlotte Rixon and netGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book!

The One That Got Away is a contemporary romance. Twenty years ago, Benjamin and Clara had a whirlwind romance, but it was enough to change their lives. Now, tragedy has struck and Clara can only think of Benjamin…where is he and is he okay??

This was an interesting read for me and definitely heavier than I expected it to be. While I enjoy a second chance romance, I struggled with this one. I usually expect a second chance romance to be “right people, wrong timing” kind of thing, but it didn’t feel like Clara and Benjamin were any different than they were years ago. They still fought and argued about the same things and it didn’t feel like either of them grew as partners…and I personally struggle with older characters that act like teenagers - but that’s a “me” issue and not a book issue

Overall this was a three star read for me. This book covered a lot of heavy topics and didn’t have trigger warnings, so please be cautious if you’re triggered by abuse, cheating, alcoholism, sexual abuse of a child and infertility. Even though this was a romance, I didn’t really feel like this was romance heavy with everything else going on - so one flame for spice

If you’re a fan of heart wrenching, drama and angst filled later-in-life stories, then definitely pick this one up.

Review to be posted on Amazon upon publication

Told over two decades, The One That Got Away was a beautiful character study of Clara and Ben. I was swept away in each of them and loved watching their relationship change over time. I was rooting for them until the very end!

4.5 Stars !! An honest raw portrayal of first love, broken hearts, and the one you can’t ever forget no matter how much time passes. This not a typical love story or romance novel. I love that you get to read both Clara’s and Benjamin’s POVs spanning over 20 years. Makes you think back on your own first love and the mistakes you made, and how they shaped the person you became. Finished this book in one afternoon, it was so compelling and well written. I highly recommend this book.

Thank you Netgalley and St.Martin’s Press for a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review

I loved the characters in this story!!! at first they come across as needy but with time they grow and mature just like we all do.

i really loved seeing clara and ben, and relating to them was very easy. there were circumstances i found i had been in myself so i could really be immersed in it!
this was a great read and one i would recommend!!!

“A simple life with people I love. That’s all I’ve ever wanted”

Sometimes our stories aren’t that simple.

This story follows Clara and Benjamin, mostly, and their versions of the last 20 years. The moment they met as young adults, the night that ruins everything, the paths they take, and their unwavering love for each other.

Their love story began somewhat immaturely, but it’s to be expected at that age. Clara and Benjamin both have strong insecurities that at times make them unbearable to deal with, but it’s hard not to relate at times to those feelings.
Then a night that shouldn’t have ruined their future planned, but did, sends them in completely different paths for 20 years. In times of sadness, celebration, or even mundane life events - they never seem to let go, having sent numerous emails over the years just to check in or reach out in some way.

With little interjections of other parts of their lives, this story was a wonderful example of two people who fought hard to give each other the life they thought the other deserved, without taking into account what was best for themselves.
And it’s about second chances for not just love, but for yourself. Remembering that you can have a second chance at life, at a career, at love. Just let go of what holds you back and live the life you want. ❤️

Thank you to Netgalley and St Martins Press for this digital arc ❤️

A bittersweet story about first love gone wrong and second chances.

Split into a dual timeline, this novel shows what happens when a couple who was meant to be is ripped apart. When Benjamin meets Clara, it's love at first sight. At first, minor complications get in the way, such as Benjamin's going home for a funeral for several weeks without telling Clara why. But then, they're ripped apart, one night at the club shattering both their lives in unexpected ways. Now, Clara's unhappily married to Thom, while Benjamin raises a son alone, muddling through parenting. When a tragedy happens, Clara seeks out Benjamin for the first time in a decade, raising the question - will their connection still be there?

I like that these characters aren't perfect; in fact, they're flawed more than most romance protagonists. Clara is jealous, angry and clingy, while Benjamin is aloof and buries his troubles in alcohol. Their absolute connection to each other shows a love story that rises above their flaws, until the incident.

Through the dual timeline, the author doles out the perfect amount of information to keep the reader intrigued. I had to keep flipping pages to find out why Clara and Benjamin were no longer together. This book left me feeling sad for the characters, as they've faced so much unhappiness.

This book didn't work out for me, but I hope it finds its audience. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity!

''A simple life with people I love. That’s all I’ve ever wanted." Benjamin is a complex character who has his quirks and issues. He is so likeable though. From the moment he and Clara meet, he knows they are meant for each other. He doesn't feel he is good enough for her especially after the mistake he makes on their last night to see each other. Their story spans more than twenty years, only two of which they were a couple. They move on to be with other people over the years but can't get each other out of their minds. A bombing in the city where they first met brings them back together after 20 years and puts them back on the winding road that relationships often take us on. Thanks to @NetGalley for the ARC of this book. I loved it so much and I will recommend it to all my friends!

First off I would like to thank NetGalley for sending me this early copy of The One That Got Away! This book is out August 15th!

A bit of a different kind of love story, together for two years and then apart for twenty. But no matter what happened in those twenty years, they often thought of each other with the “what if” always lingering.

This book was a slow burn for sure but the author kept you wanting to know what the hell happened that ended this relationship. It certainly wasn’t perfect but the love was there and the love was real.

The timelines were a bit tricky if you weren’t paying attention and many triggering topics but overall I really enjoyed it. I personally liked the back and forth timelines because each year was so interesting and kept me wanting more!

3.75 ⭐️

One of the best second chance, dual time line love stories ever written. The beautiful story of the one that got away follows Benjamin and Clara over a span of twenty years. Clara meets Benjamin in college and for them both it’s love at first sight. Benjamin will have to learn Clara’s outgoing confident ways while Clara will have to accept Benjamin’s dedication to football and his more conserved personality. At the end of their college years a sudden tragedy pulls them apart and ends their relationship. Twenty years later Clara is married to a man she is not completed by and Benjamin is a single father trying to navigate parenthood. A bombing at the football stadium Clara knows Benjamin goes to every weekend and never misses a game draws her to the town she first found love searching for Benjamin. Will she be brave enough to leave her unhappy marriage and will Benjamin forgive himself for the past so they can let love in again?

This seemed like an interesting story but I couldn’t get into the story or connect with the characters.. I may be in the minority because everyone else seems to have enjoyed this book..