I am giving this book 4 stars because I believe it accomplished what it was intended to and i kept reading because i needed to know how things were going to end.

This book was heavy, touched on so many dark issues, and yet had a beautiful message woven throughout.

I don’t recommend this if you are looking for a happy read. I felt pretty pained throughout.

What happens when a love that never disappeared comes back into your life years after the fact because of a tragic event? The One That Got Away attempts to answer this question. Charlotte Rixon skillfully pulls us from present to past depths of a relationship that still existed in both Clara and Benjamin's hearts even though years had passed since they last saw each other.

Clara's anxiety flows through the pages as to what would have happened if she had been more secure. Benjamin's self-esteem pushes through the pages as to what would have happened if he had been more secure. Both broken in a way, and both supporting each other in a way that was not understandable in their early lives because they lacked the maturity of knowledge that the gained between the years. Their love of one another stayed, yet they couldn't be the completion of the other because they didn't love themselves enough during their time at university.

I love the way the author ended this book. It is poignant to be unsure of themselves. It is a spiral that has a new level start from where they were, this time with 20 years of maturity and growth and learning about themselves without the other.

If there was one thing that I would have shifted it would have been to have a different ending for Thom and Clara.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and Charlotte Rixon for presenting me an opportunity to read the Advanced Reader's Copy via NetGalley for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin's Press for the ARC. I had high hopes for this novel but found myself never connecting to the main characters. The story follows Clara and Benjamin across 20 years as they first navigate falling in love, then breaking apart, and finally feeling pulled back together through tragedy.
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Though I can completely understand the long-term draw of a first love, I found myself cringing a lot since they seemed to lack insight into how toxic their relationship was, even years later. Clara, the protagonist, is insecure, jealous, and controlling. They justified her physical abuse of Benjamin, her first love, saying that she punched him because she was mad at herself. Sure, I could see how someone could twist their narratives up in the moment, considering how chaotic and enmeshed their relationship is. But, when someone believes it a decade later? Yikes.
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My other issue with the novel is that the driving tension pulling the story along is the author is withholding secrets from the reader. We know that they split up but are forced to wait to find out about the dramatic event until far into the story. There are better ways to create stakes than frustrating the reader by dangling secrets.

📚 Book Review 📚

The One That Got Away
by Charlotte Rixon (aka Charlotte Duckworth)
@charduck
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
(5/5 stars)

*Thank you @netgalley and @stmartinspress for this advanced copy!
Pub Date: 8/15/23

This well written novel spans across two decades and follows the complicated lives of our two main characters, Clara and Benjamin. It’s chapters flip back and forth between their college years and present time, while alternately narrated by both characters. Some chapters take place during inbetween years as well. We ride along with Clara and Benjamin as their romantic relationship is tested by their damaged ways and life circumstances.

This story encompasses so much: love, grief, death, hurt, fear, secrets, trauma…the list goes on. I can’t say a whole lot in detail without spoiling the plot. I can say that I was hooked from the first page and couldn’t put it down for anything. These characters and this story will warm your heart and break it into pieces at the same time (in the best possible way). I highly recommend grabbing this one as soon as it hits shelves in August!

The One That Got Away
By: Charlotte Rixen

4 stars

First, I would like to thank Netgalley and the author for this story in exchange for my honest review. I appreciate the opportunity.

This story was definitely one that will stay with me. The story of Benjamin and Clara was one for the ages. It was the normal story of boy meets girl, until it wasn't. 20 years seperates then and now. Its been 20 years since they were last together, but now, while the city is in chaos from a bombing, fate will bring them together once again.

I really enjoyed this book. It told an amazing love story that was attached to a story of darkness and danger. Past to future, it was almost like reading two stories. The characters really made this story for me, though. They are where I got the pain. They were the ones that showed me the passion, and they are the ones that showed me the love and forgiveness. They were the story.

This book brought such a powerful and impactful story.
For me it was a roller-coaster of emotions. As I'm sure it will be for others as well. It was sweet, while also heart breaking. The writing grabs and stays with you long after you finish. This was a new author for me, but I can't wait to read more from such a powerful writer.

Reviewed By:

Stormi Ellis
Boundless Book Reviews

I enjoyed this read, books like these always stick out to me because they can sometimes feel SO real.

Clara and Benjamin STOLE my heart and so did their story. I loved it so much!

I enjoyed this very much. I did find it hard to believe the reason for the breakup seemed hard to buy. But I enjoyed the writing.

In some ways I think this story is one of the most accurate portrayals of love and life I’ve ever read. You’ve got two people, struggling with self esteem, severe anxiety, intrusive thoughts, but who are also deeply, madly in love with one another. They are secretive, explosive, messy, ugly. Neither of them know how to open up or communicate, and ultimately their relationship implodes. They move on, try to get on with their lives, but their love for one another, destroyed by one fateful event, remains, until another explosive event brings them together again.

Reading the story, I intensely disliked both characters at times, but upon reflection they’re real, they’re human they’re imperfect - full of messy, complicated emotions. Rixon’s writing is raw, poignant, and moving. She perfectly captures human emotion and the messy side of love and loss - her words will cut you open and get under your skin. I found this book hard to read at times and would have to put it down and walk away. It takes a gifted author to evoke such raw emotion.

This isn’t a romance story - its the story of two people whose disastrous relationship has lasting impact on their lives. It contains multiple triggers - substance abuse, abandonment, death, illness, mental health, rape, loveless relationships, and more. This story will rip your heart out and leave you bleeding. But the final note is one of hope and I can’t recommend it enough!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin's Press for the ARC!
I thought this was going to be a love story and was thus, a bit disappointed. Overall it was a good book I just had expectations that weren’t met. Still enjoyable just know what you’re picking up and don’t judge it by it’s cover and title.

The One That Got Away is a captivating and emotional story of love and loss. Rixon's writing is engaging and touching! Thank you NetGalley for providing me with an ARC!

When Clara meets Benjamin in a nightclub, just a week after seeing him across the dance floor and locking eyes at another party, she believes fate has something special in store for them. It is 2000, and Clara has left her London home for University- following a boyfriend that turned out to be a dud to a school she didn't want to be at in the first place. When Benjamin comes into her life, it all suddenly makes sense- perhaps this perfect boy was destined to be hers.

But Benjamin has his own doubts about life- he constantly feels like a failure; doesn't live up to his father's expectations, and is terrified of losing his ailing Mum. Clara is a dream- a beautiful blonde, full of life and optimism- there is no way she could love someone like him. But she does. And then life happens.

This is NOT a love story- if you're looking for a romance read, put this book down. I will admit that the hardest part of reviewing this book for me is that I was expecting to be blown away in a love story, and instead, I was punched in the gut by a depressing, 'realistic' story about life and all the ways it can knock you down and interfere with your perceived destiny. There are some heavy topics in this story- cancer, death, illness, alcoholism, sexual assault, and more.

Clara is incredibly unlikeable. There is a section of the story where Clara (writing a novel) is part of a writer's group and the group leader says they will discuss having an unlikable lead character as an 'angle' next week- when I read this, I thought "ohhh ok, so it IS intentional" because Clara is awful. She is an insecure, jealous, controlling, immature person. I don't think it's even fair to say "Oh it's young love" because I know plenty of young people who don't act like she does. Conversely, Benjamin is difficult as well, and definitely abuses alcohol. Clearly, with how the story ends, that had to be part of his character. (Don't want to give anything away).

I think, had this book had a different title, I would have been better prepared- I kept expecting a love story, and therefore was disappointed. Even while reading the summary, I thought it would be about 'first love' and getting it right the first time, even if you truly muddled it up. I thought the two characters would be destined for one another and the reader would WANT that for them. Again, this was not the story I read.

It is still a good read- if you're looking for more of a realistic commentary on the lives of two kinda- crappy/common people. I prefer to read to escape reality, and therefore want a happy, happily ever after.

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC.

Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin's Press for the ARC!

"The One That Got Away" is one of those books that surprises you in the best way. The story of love and loss, paired with the dual POV impressed me to my core. I love that this wasn't a traditional trope, and I have recommended all my friends put it on their TBR list!

This book has a lot going on, so don’t expect a smooth ride. It’s about two people who take a hard look at the choices they’ve made in life and about one another. The characters are complex, and the plot moves quickly between past and present, giving you a glimpse of the mistakes Clara and Benjamin made in both different and entwined ways.

Lots of feels in this one. If you’re looking for a story that lingers after the last page,
TOTGO is for you.

Thank you, Netgalley for the e-arc.

I was expecting more of a second-chance romance, but I'd consider this more of a realistic fiction story where nobody is perfect and could mimic real life. I found Clara to be unlikable from the beginning - especially in all the flashbacks from the time she first met Benjamin. As the wife of a guy who loves ALL sports, I understand the frustration of sports dictating ones weekend (lol)... but I found Clara's annoyance with him very immature and her to be quite clingy and possessive. That being said, I found them (and their journey) to be relatable with not everything being perfect. I liked how the story unfolded and this book definitely includes many heavy topics, so you need to be in the right mood to read (not necessarily a "light" read). I wasn't necessarily rooting for Clara and Benjamin to end up together (I didn't really feel their chemistry when they were dating), but the book was so well-written, I wanted to know what happened to everyone.

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

Reviewed on GoodReads and live now - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5178038874

Clara and Benjamin meet while in college, at a bar, when Clara is drunk and sad. Benjamin is a true gentleman, which confounds her. Ultimately, though, they fall madly in love. Clara is possessive and demanding and cannot understand his love of football. Benjamin feels somewhat inept and undeserving of her love. They are young and passion between them is intense and overwhelming. Until, in an act of passion, things between them are dramatically altered, never to be the same again.

The One Who Got Away is a tale woven between the past and the present as Charlotte Rixon weaves a tale of love, loss and life and where all of that leads her two protagonists. The story is gripping and while parts of it are predictable- the predictability was something that actually kept this reader interested, although I’m not sure whether that makes a ton of sense. There was also enough of the unexpected to shake things up now and again.

The character of Claire seemed selfish and overbearing in her youth… perhaps even a bit personality disordered. Benjamin seemed somewhat broken and Claire became his life raft. He could never see his potential - but she saw it for them both. It was hard not to want to shake them when they got so wrapped up in each other, that they left most of their other relationships at school, in the dust - an error so many people make in their youth. I loved the way the author showed the readers the real lives these two also led, after the magical years of university. The real way she laid out how you never forget about your first real love.

Well written, thoughtful and fairly gripping, I would highly recommend The One Who Got Away for those who like romance and general fiction.

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read this e-galley, in exchange for my honest review.

Second chance love story between two people who thought they were meant to be together but then something happens and destroys their relationship.

20 years later, they reconnect, she's married with a great career, but she isn't happy. she is in the city where they met when there is a bombing and it makes her think about him and where he is and she realizes he has always had her heart.

I got this as an ARC from netgalley and had a little bit higher expectations for this book. I don't love an alternate POV story. The characters were only slightly likeable. Solid 2 stars.

I was expecting a lost-love, rom-com kind of story, but this is so much more. I mean, who blows up the stadium on page one? Definitely a love story, but also about second chances, coming to terms with mistakes (okay, maybe HUGE mistakes) that happen when we are young and stupid, and learning to love yourself just as you are. I'm not saying I read the last 40% of the book in one day, but I did.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing a review copy.

Clara and Benjamin have been inseparable since meeting in university. They both always felt that they were meant to be together but their relationship wasn’t super straight forward. Clara was always a little jealous of Benjamin’s love of soccer and felt he choose soccer over her. Clara lied to Benjamin about something that happened early in their relationship…. How can a relationship survive through jealousy and mistrust?

On the last day of Uni, something bad happens that tears Clara (CDC) and Benjamin (BE) apart for good. They both move on, but over the next 20 years they both continue to think of each other, until another tragedy strikes and they are brought back together. Will they drop everything and reunite or has too much time passed?

This book flip flops over multiple time periods. For me, I felt there was a lot of build up to what pulls CDC and BE apart and together. The book is marketed as romance but there is actually very little romance. The main character Clara is nauseating with her spoiled, bossy, insecure behaviour and Benjamin is just boring.

Overall, the book didn’t hit the mark for me. I think I’m being generous giving it 3 stars.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced copy.

Well this was a tough one to read. The writing was solid but the storyline was just so tragic. I started this novel thinking it was going to follow the classic second chance at love theme but that is not at all what I got. This is not a bad thing though as this novel is gritty and does not shy away from digging into the darker, rougher, and just so heartbreaking aspects of life and love.

There are multiple timelines covered with the first main one being 2000, when Benjamin and Clara meet during their first year of university. Neither of them are in a great emotional place yet they begin a relationship that is both very intense but not very healthy. We know the relationship is doomed but we don't know what happened.

The second major timeline is 2022. Clara is living in London and unhappy. Benjamin is still living in the North where they attended university and his life has not turned out how he expected either. A tragic event leads Clara to head North seeking Benjamin.

As we anticipate Benjamin and Clara's reunion we visit a few more time points in their history and more tragic life events are revealed.

So, definitely not a traditional romance but if you like a well-written novel that isn't afraid to address tough issues and wrestle with your heart, then this is a book I'd recommend you give a read.

Thanks to NetGalley and St Martin's Press for an ARC for review.