This was such a charming and somewhat thought provoking book! I really didn't know what to expect so I am so glad that I decided to read it. I can't wait to read more from this author.

Not good not great! I think this book had the potential of being really strong, but lacked a lot unfortunately

This one was too slow for me to continue. I thought with the explosion in the beginning the book would be a fast pace emotional one but the reality was a slow moving plot (both in the past and present timelines). Just not for me.

This is labeled romance, and I guess it is, but it is also deep and thought-provoking. It's honestly pretty realistic. We can all relate to making mistakes when we're young and feeling like we need a do-over. Clara and Benjamin were college sweethearts with an intense romantic relationship. They parted ways over silly mistakes, as one does, and always felt like they were "the one that got away." Clara is married to another man, struggling with life, and Benjamin is a single dad, also unhappy and unsatisfied. A lot of the book is the inner dialogue of each of them, which makes this feel like a mid-life crisis story. However, a tragic event prompts Clara to go looking for Benjamin and face her past. There are a lot of triggering subjects in this book, from suicide to infertility, addiction, and abuse. It was a quick read, though. The chapters were short and left me wanting to find out how these two would decide to be in each others' lives. It's emotional but a worthwhile read.

Such a beautiful beautiful book. This book was so deep, so moving, so incredible. It had such a strong foundation and the writing was so generous. I was immediately sucked into the book and I did not want it to end. Such perfection. This book had a core and I love how it turns out to be one with so much meaning.

The only reason why this has 3 stars is because of Benjamin!

This book should have never insinuated this book was a romance and triggers warning should have been all over.

I honestly could not stand Clara, there were so many "icky" moments with her that I just could not see pass that. Benjamin in the other hand was shy and sweet. They were definitely not a good couple I'm glad it ended the way it did.

Benjamin deserves a person that loves him without doubt and that person is not Clara, Clara needs to work on her before she can love someone else.

"The One That Got Away" by Charlotte Rixon is a breathtaking and emotionally charged novel that takes readers on a poignant journey of love, regret, and second chances. With its captivating storytelling and deeply relatable characters, this book is a heartfelt exploration of the enduring power of first love and the choices we make that shape our lives.

The narrative unfolds in two timelines, transporting us between the year 2000 when Benjamin and Clara first meet and the present day, where they lead separate lives. From the very beginning, Rixon draws readers into the world of Benjamin and Clara, creating an instant connection with these characters. Their chemistry is palpable, and their love story is both sweet and heart-wrenching.

The author excels in capturing the essence of young love, the excitement of new beginnings, and the promise of a shared future. Benjamin and Clara's connection is so genuine and intense that it's impossible not to be emotionally invested in their relationship. As their story unfolds, you can't help but hope for a reunion, even as the years pass and life takes them in different directions.

Rixon's writing is beautifully evocative, creating a vivid sense of time and place in both timelines. The nostalgia and longing that permeate the pages make the reader reflect on their own experiences of love and the paths not taken. The dual timelines effectively build suspense, keeping you eager to discover how the past and present will converge.

Clara's journey of self-discovery and reflection is a central theme in the book, and her character development is both relatable and inspiring. Her search for Benjamin becomes a metaphor for reclaiming a piece of herself that she lost along the way. The author handles this aspect of the story with sensitivity and depth.

The title, "The One That Got Away," encapsulates the essence of the story, and readers will undoubtedly find themselves reflecting on their own "ones" as they immerse themselves in this novel. It's a reminder that sometimes, the choices we make can have a profound impact on our lives, and that the past never truly fades away.

In conclusion, Charlotte Rixon's "The One That Got Away" is a deeply moving and beautifully written novel that explores the complexities of love, regret, and the enduring power of first love. It's a story that will resonate with readers who appreciate emotional depth and thought-provoking narratives. For fans of contemporary romance and women's fiction, this book is a must-read that will leave you with a profound sense of nostalgia and a renewed appreciation for the power of love.

Thank you to the publisher for the gifted copy.

The One that Got Away is an emotional story about Benjamin and Clara. They dated in college, but split up after an incident led to Benjamin being incarcerated. However, years later, Clara hears about an explosion at a soccer stadium; one that she knows Benjamin went to for every single home game. She can't get Benjamin out of her head, so she leaves to try to find him and make sure he's ok. The story is dual timeline, and dual POV; past and present, so we hear the story of their relationship and the current situation with the explosion. Additionally we get the story from both Benjamin and Clara's viewpoints. I was pretty engaged at the beginning, and was trying to figure out what happened between them in the past, and also who exactly caused the explosion at the stadium. But the more I read, the more I wanted to just skip to the end. It's emotionally taxing, but still fell a bit flat for me.

Second chance romance takes center stage, however there are many other elements to digest The characters drive the story and I loved that.
Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

I just loved this story, The characters and setting were perfect and I became so invested in the story.

. . . ⭑ ⭑ ⭑ ⭑ ⭒
This was an unexpectedly immersive read. I didn’t have any expectations when picking it up, which I think is such a great way to embark upon a read. Building a book up or down in your mind before you turn the first page can alter how read and interpret it. All to say, that being unassuming when it came to this read definitely worked in its favour.

A romance story of sorts, more so a tale of long-lost, but not long-forgotten, love. Centering around Clara and Benjamin during their university days and formative introductory into adulthood, the two find each other, fall into love, and then come apart, but never fully severing their emotional ties to one another.

Told from alternating POVs and variable timelines, this book showcases the lasting impact we can have on one another, and intensity of the relationships we can form.

There are definitely some trigger warnings in here, and it’s not a lighthearted read, but it’s engaging, immersive, and hopeful.

A debut novel worth reading, ‘The One That Got Away’ came out in August, and if you missed it, you should check it out.

~👩🏻‍🦰

Just loved this story, the characters and the setting. I was very invested in their story and kept me very engaged. Thank you for this arc in exchange of an honest review.

The One That Got Away was a bit slow for me. When we finally discover what has kept Benjamin and Clara apart, I was annoyed at Clara and sad for Benjamin. While I had to find out the details of the bombing the book starts with, I wasn't rooting for them to get back together. I was very invested in Benjamin's life and how he was raising his son. I would have loved a book just about them.

Benjamin and Clara fell hard for each other, but a terrible accident on the last night of university tears them apart. Twenty years later, Clara has a successful career and a husband, but when she sees a terrorist attack on the news, she has a horrible feeling that Benjamin could have been involved. Her fear leads her on a journey to find Benjamin and the piece of herself that she buried 20 years ago.

The story jumps back and forth through time between 2000 and the present day (as well as the years in between) so that the full story of what happened between Benjamin and Clara isn’t revealed to us until near the end. It’s a story about first loves, how they can shape you, and how they may never entirely go away.

I enjoyed the premise of the story, and it was a quick read, but it felt as though the author was trying to do too many things at once. It’s a love story, but it’s also a bit of a sports story, an abuse story, a substance abuse/mental health story, and a story about a failed marriage. And I would have loved for the story to be all of those things, but the story doesn’t dive deeply enough into any of these elements to feel effective. My main problem with the story though is that I never bought into the relationship between Benjamin and Clara. I couldn’t make sense of their attraction to one another, they fought constantly and never resolved their issues, and I never got a sense that they had a deep connection, so it was hard for me to imagine Clara not being able to let go of the relationship for 20 years. That being said, I did enjoy the story, and I think those who enjoy romance will find it a quick read with a different angle on familiar story elements.

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

This one was a little too predictable for me. The story had potential, it just fell a little flat for me sadly. Still worth the read and checking out!

I received a complimentary copy of this book "The One That Got Away" and all opinions expressed are my own. I listened to the audiobook. I had previously downloaded the kindle book which I did not finish because it just wasn't for me. I tried the audio book and although I finished, it still wasn't a book that I liked.

I did not know what I was in for with this one!
Is this a romance? It definitely explores the thoughts and feelings of two individuals in a relationship, but Charlotte Rixon's story goes so much deeper.
This book at its core is a character study. How do we as humans evolve based on the experience of our past? How does our past affect our response to present situations and circumstances? How will what we're going through currently affect the future we may have?
I was so compelled by our main characters as we weaved through different periods of their pasts, while also exploring their present. Rixon walks the line with these characters. We love them at times and are frustrated by them at others. There are moments when they're not likable, but that plays into the realistic portrayal of human beings.
I don't think this is a perfect story. There are aspects of it that feel forced, feel out of place, feel like they're reaching and in doing so take away from the core message of the story. But I definitely enjoyed the ride through these character's lives.

I received an electronic ARC from St. Martin’s Press via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are completely my own.

I connected with both Benjamin and Clara right away. However, they his novel is much heavier than the synopsis led me to believe. Readers should know that there are several difficult topics covered in this novel, not only a fictional bombing.

I did appreciate the author’s writing-style, but this novel just became too heavy. It seemed like everything that a character can face in a novel was written about. I get that life is messy, but how much can two people, and the people they love take?

This book was not at all what I expected. I wouldn't call it a romance, and even calling it a love story is tenuous. It's a story about two mixed up young people who made several mistakes that caused their relationship to end. Twenty years later, there's a chance they may reunite.

I liked Ben more than I liked Clara, and I liked the last part of the book more than the first. The book opens with a shocking scene and through the course of the book, we are led to think that it was this person, then that one who was responsible, but we are wrong. We finally get the whole story about what exactly happened.

The writing style is not for everyone, but I did enjoy the book, for the most part. I look forward to reading the author's other books.

Thank you, NetGalley, for the chance to read and review this book. All opinions expressed are mine and given freely.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advance copy. This book was a real page-turner. The tragedy in the first chapter is fully revealed in the end, and the dual timelines and dual perspectives keep the reader engaged. Hints are dropped throughout about a tragic event that changed the course of lives and relationships. The love story was interesting and fully developed .