This story broke my heart in so many ways. From the moment they met, I was rooting for Ben and Clara's love story- and watching them be torn apart by miscommunications was truly devastating. Twenty years later, a tragic event pushes Clara to seek Ben out, and the result is not something anyone could have seen coming. This story dealt with a very tragic, but topical, event that is far too common in this day and age. I think the author handled the topic very sensitively, while also focusing on how our youth can be affected by these events and everything that leads up to them. It was equal parts a love story and a family story, which made the pay off at the end all the more rewarding.

This one hooked me pretty quickly . It was a page turner for sure. There were deeper issues that are discussed in this book which I always enjoy even if it makes it a tougher read .

3.5 🌟
The author says in her notes that this book isn’t a love story, but a story about first love, and that rings true. I think by marketing this book as a second chance romance people may be disappointed. It’s more of a character study of two deeply flawed people who need to learn how to love themselves before they can love each other, and the ripples our decisions make. If anything, it’s more of a right person wrong time.

I can see the reviews now about how much people hate the FMC. Because she isn’t “likable” - they’re both flawed, deeply insecure, and make a ton of selfish decisions. (And that’s the point!). Their relationship wasn’t super healthy. Her anxiety led her to want to find safety in other people and lose herself, and he always felt not good enough. It’s a bit reminiscent of Normal People in that it touches on class issues with him being from a lower-income background, and how things get swept under the rug for “boys with promise” and other gender issues.

Liked the dual POV/timeline and the short chapters made it a fast read. There was a bit too much going on plot wise with the bombing, the stuff that happened in the past, and other plot points. Check triggers.

intriguing story. cool characters. had a good time. interesting plot. cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool

I received this book complimentary from NetGalley, but all opinions are my own.

This was a heart-wrenching read about changed plans, mistakes that change our destiny, second chances, and loves that will forever change you. It is a great read that keeps you wanting more from this dual POV-told story.

I enjoy second chance romances and this one was deeper than most. While it won’t be for everyone (check trigger warnings) I enjoyed it and would recommend it to others. Thank you for the gifted copy.

This book is a real bummer and not in a good way. The stories were sad and the characters were toxic. I did enjoy the last part and the ending. The connections between the stories and timelines were interesting and well done.

Such an amazing read! I love second chance romance and the way this story unfolded. Definitely recommend!

Thank you NetGalley and Charlotte Rixon!

Love is really all about fate and luck. Missed opportunities and mistakes can change the course of your entire life and that’s the case in this one. The focus isn’t on the love of your life but the one who got away. Heartbreaking at times and hopeful at others this one really pulled at my heartstrings.

Thank you #StMartinsPress and #NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

I have a soft spot for stories about romantic relationships that span multiple decades and this second chance romance really satisfied that for me. Benjamin and Clara meet in 2000 while in college and their shared story is emotional, long-lasting and captivating. When Clara is still filled with regret 20 years later, she explores if it’s too late to make amends for what happened. I would definitely recommend this touching and complex book.

In The One That Got Away, Clara has all the reasons to be happy. She has an amazing job and a handsome husband who makes her feel safe. But despite it all, her heart is not content. Inside, Clara still yearns for the one that got away. Two decades ago she fell in love with a boy named Ben until something awful happened and their love was torn apart. Clara has tried to put him in her past, but when a bombing happens in a place she knows Ben used to frequent, Clara can no longer ignore her past or her heart. She must go and see if Ben is okay. She must try to repair what is broken, if only it isn't too late.

Rixon captures the overwhelming, heady feeling of first love in all it's bright and dark moments. She also captures how one decision, one minute, can forever alter someone's life. While the story is about love, I wouldn't say it is a romance. Clara and Ben's story is both wonderful and painful. They have so many struggles, both in their separate lives and in their relationship with each other and I found myself rooting for their health and happiness, but wasn't sure if I wanted them to find that with each other. I love stories that feature second chances at love, but the complexity of this story kept me wondering if that was really what they both needed.

This book stuck with me, but I wouldn't recommend it to those looking for a light romance. It deals greatly with mental health, grief, alcohol abuse, sexual abuse and other issues. While I think it is well written, I felt very conflicted throughout which made it difficult for me to fully connect with the characters.

Thank you to @netgalley and @stmartinspress for the digital copy in exchange for my honest review.

Very interesting read! The book pulled me in from the start and I wanted to see how it ended. Try it and see if this book is for you!

I loved this book. It was a classic love story with a shocking twist that you won't see coming. I highly recommend this book.

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley.

In 2000, Benjamin meets Clara - it was a chance meeting after seeing her two weeks before in a bar, but was not able to talk to her. Now, he is outside the bar where she is having an issues with her friends. That night would change their lives forever, bind them together in a love story that include time, prison, marriage, a child, and pregnancy failures.

This story is amazing ride back and forth on what a love story can be.

Clara and Benjamin were together for two years but after a devastating night, the two went in separate directions. 20 years later, Clara is a successful, married, business woman. However, she feels like something is missing. One day at Clara's work, the emergency alert system interrupts the news to say there has been a bombing at the place her and Benjamin first met. A place she knows he frequents regularly. Clara drops everything and risks her current life to find the man she knows her heart still loves. In the search for Benjamin, Clara must decide what she wants in her life. Will she find her first love or will it be too late?

OH. MY. I could not put this book down. My heart was racing from the end of the first chapter, trying to figure out what happened and if Clara will get the answers she is looking for. Everything I thought was going on had me fooled. It was twist after twist that I did not see coming. This book was so unbelievably good!! Definitely pulled on my heart strings for multiple different reasons.

Trigger warnings: Depicts scenes of suicide and mass casualty.

I'll start by saying The One That Got Away is not a romance. It's not a story that will leave you swooning and leave you with butterflies. It IS a story of a young relationship and the power of a first love.

Benjamin and Clara meet in 2000, after a night at the bar. After that, they were nearly inseparable for two years. While at times their relationship is seemingly perfect, they also have epic fights, mistrust, and at times control issues. In 2022, their worlds collide again when Clara who is unhappily married decides to board a train to Newcastle after learning about a bombing at the soccer stadium, to make sure Benjamin is okay knowing he was a huge Newcastle fan and never missed a game.

The book is broken into five parts bringing the reader through all aspects of their relationship; the good, the bad, and the ugly. I loved Rixon's storytelling style and found the book very easy to follow along and I was completely engrossed in the story. I was completely hooked from the very first chapter and absolutely loved how she weaved all of the surprise elements throughout.

While I wouldn't call it a happily-ever-after ending, it's still positive.

I enjoyed my time with this book for sure.
Thank you, St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the eARC!

"The One That Got Away" paints a sincere and heartfelt picture of the journey through growing up. Charlotte Rixon's impactful novel has left a lasting impression on me. Rixon navigates through sensitive topics, so it may not be suitable for everyone. A word of caution: check out the trigger warnings before diving in. As for me, "The One That Got Away" has earned a spot in my book collection. Highly recommend!

3.5 ish star. I love second chance romance so much, and the first half to two thirds of this book had me in an emotional lock down. I could not put this book down. The dual POV and nonlinear timeline worked so well to keep me engaged for so long. The last third of the book seemed to shift onto a lot of the present day drama and I think it took away from the romance plotline. The author herself stated this was a story about first love, not a love story specifically, but I personally would have loved it more if it had remained a love story. I'm a huge soccer fan, so all of the soccer setting and references were right up my alley. This book gave me Colleen Oakley You Were There Too vibes with a lot of trigger warnings and emotional drama.

This is a wonderful book about life and the struggles of being in your early 20's in love and with trauma.

This book follows two star crossed loved over 20 years and how their own stories intertwine and their lives move on. I thought this was going to be a silly romance but it was more deep and heart-wrenching than that.
The writing was beautiful and both main characters felt well developed.


Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book. It is out now and definitely a read you should pick up.

The One that Got Away is a heartfelt exploration of love's enduring impact, making it a potential choice for readers who appreciate emotionally charged narratives. The novel explores themes of regret, second chances, and the enduring impact of first love. I think this book is for readers who enjoy reflective narratives about love, regret, and the passage of time.