This was an interesting read, though it did take a bit to come together with the dual characters, and past and present timelines.

This is not a love story, it's a story about first love.

Author Charlotte Rixon couldn't have described the book more aptly. This book was about Clara and Benjamin, and their romance throughout their college years. However, something happened that tore them apart, and now 20 years later, they reconnect. However, both are different people now and have moved on from their first love. Yet, they can't help but wonder what the other is doing and what could have been.

There is a lot of timeline shifting in this book, and though some of the present-day parts made me anxious to learn why Clara and Benjamin broke up, overall the mixed timelines really worked for me. I loved seeing the pair grow (though separately). Both characters were extremely flawed, though I felt that Benjamin was way too hard on himself and wouldn't allow himself to be happy. Clara came across as a bit spoiled and whiny at times, though she did have many traumatic experiences that formed her personality and responses to certain events. This novel included a TON of trigger warnings, yet they were handled well and added to the storyline. I was drawn into this book and found it hard to put down. I became annoyed with Clara when she made several mistakes that she acknowledged as she was making them. However, they created a lot of dramatic moments that kept me reading.

tw: infertility, rape (of child, of peer), cancer, bombing, violence, alcoholism, (probably more I am forgetting...)

The One That Got Away is an engaging, complicated and messy look at love, and the fallout of it ending and how life moves forward. I thought the exploration of timing and if things are meant to be was well done and interesting. Overall, this was a well written exploration of 'what if' that I recommend to readers who enjoy stories about life, love and exploring what could have been.
Thank you St. Martin's Press for the copy through NetGalley in exchange for a review.

This story of long lost love took some pretty dark turns. Spanning twenty years, we get a look at how Clara and Benjamin met and how they ultimately broke up and their lives thereafter. Did they pine for each other? Did they put their relationship in the past and move on with their lives? Life is complicated and sometimes we never truly part from those whom we really need. Especially when tragedy strikes. I enjoyed following Clara’s journey back to Benjamin as well as the several surprising moments in the storyline. Thank you NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for this gifted copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.

This book was about right person wrong time. It was so nicely written. I kept wanting to know more and the storyline kept me interested. I really liked the dual POV and the jumping between the past and present.

I didn't know what to think when I dove into this book; but was pleasantly surprised at how addictive this read became. Couldn't put it down! I thoroughly enjoyed this book- thanks to NetGalley and St Martin's Press for the opportunity to review

The One That Got Away by Charlotte Rixon is a deeply moving exploration of love, regret, and self-discovery that spans over two decades. The novel draws you into the world of Benjamin and Clara, whose intense connection at university feels like a perfect match. However, a critical mistake on their last night together sets them on very different paths. Fast forward twenty years, and Clara, now leading a seemingly successful life with a high-profile career and a handsome husband, finds herself unfulfilled and haunted by the memories of Benjamin—the love she fears she might have ruined.

The story takes a poignant turn when a bombing in the city where their romance first blossomed forces Clara to confront her past. This traumatic event pulls her back to a time she has tried to forget, pushing her to address the emotional wounds and unresolved issues that have lingered for years. Through Clara’s journey, Rixon explores the enduring nature of first love and the pain of missed opportunities with a deeply reflective and nostalgic tone.

One of the novel’s strengths lies in its portrayal of Benjamin and Clara as deeply flawed and emotionally complex individuals. Rixon captures their vulnerabilities and strengths with authenticity, making their struggles and regrets feel profoundly real. Their imperfections are central to the story’s emotional impact, creating a narrative that resonates with anyone who has grappled with past decisions and lost loves.

The novel's reflective and somber tone mirrors the emotional depth of Clara’s journey. The pacing is medium, allowing for a thoughtful and gradual unfolding of the characters' inner lives and their personal growth. While the mood of the story leans towards melancholy, it is also interspersed with moments of hope and potential redemption.

In reading The One That Got Away, I found a deeply personal and introspective look at how our pasts shape our present selves. Charlotte Rixon’s narrative is both heartfelt and compelling, offering a touching exploration of enduring love and the quest for reconciliation. Although the story's reflective nature might not suit everyone’s taste, it provided me with a moving and thoughtful reading experience that stayed with me long after I turned the final page.

I typically don't mind books that jump around in time between different character's POVs, in fact I often enjoy reading from multiple POVs. However, something about this had me a bit confused with all of the jumping around since it jumped around to numerous different years while also switching characters. I also found both main characters absolutely irritating. They could've been developed much deeper to fully grasp their trauma and problems to make them more palatable. Overall, this book was an easy read but had an average plot for me.

I snjoyed This book. It was well written. I was able to engage with characters and plot. I would Read another book by this author and I recommend This book.

This powerful novel by Charlotte Rixon will stay with me for a long time. The emotion of it touched me deeply. Rixon deals with very sensitive topics and some people may not find it suitable. Be sure to read the trigger warnings before proceeding. The One That Got Away will be added to my book collection in hardback. That's right, it's that amazing!

3 stars! While my interest was piqued when I read the synopsis of the book, something was missing to me. I never quite affiliated with the characters and well, I breathed a sigh of relief when the novel was over.

I received an advance digital review copy of this book; all opinions are my own.

Jumping between their perspectives, as well as from present day to significant years in the past in each of their lives since they met, The One That Got Away takes you on an emotional journey. I was not expecting the heaviness of a lot of the story. And it wasn't just the bombing, but rather the different situations both Clara and Benjamin found themselves in over the years. There was a lot of trauma for each of them.

Clara from the past and Clara from the present really felt like 2 different characters. I understand that there was a traumatic event in between the two and twenty years, but her entire personality, from being emotional and spontaneous and even insecure, to a more subdued individual. Benjamin and Clara's relationship felt more sexual than a deeper connection, so both of them being hung up on the other felt a little much.

Overall, the story kept me engaged and there was a twist in there toward the end. I just struggled to relate or feel any sort of connection to the main characters to make me truly emotionally invested to the story.

It covers a variety of difficult and emotional topics, so check your trigger warnings.

This book took me a while to read. It was not a page turner. the last 25% kept me the most captivated. I appreciated the story and growth from the FMC. The MMC annoyed me in the beginning but had different feelings by the end of the book.

I wanted to love this book more than I did. Maybe because the complexities of the relationship between Clara and Benjamin hit a little too close to home, or maybe because second chance romances aren't usually a trope I'm drawn to, but either way, the story was well-written, and the characters were easy to connect with, and I found myself ultimately rooting for them. The development and ultimate crumbling of their relationship and lives was very much right person/wrong time, and it was heartbreaking. Reading as the two of them tried to navigate the unfortunate hand that life dealt each of them made my heart ache for them.
The back-and-forth timeline jumps were a little difficult to keep up with however.

My heart just overflows with the emotions that their stories and actions wring from me and their stories settle so deeply in my heart, I feel like I know these characters personal. Utterly BRILLIANT writing

Good but not that great

Has plot twist in it but so-so

Too much drama and denial but good enough to understand the slice of life

The real coming of age with the hint of “The princess and the pauper”

But, I just don’t feel it that great. Easy read tho

Some theories that might be analyzed:
• English “culture”
• Coping Mechanism
• Traumatic experience effect on different gender
• The meaning of letting go
• Coming of age struggle
• The privilege of being rich
• Society views— expectation as a burden; parent’s dream as yours differently
• Faces you had in different place
• Teenage’s mind
• Masculinity pride (?)
• Favoritism—What happened behind the close door?
• Having family is not always the answer

— full review soon posted soon✨

this was a different kind f love story. I loved the way it was written and the different points of view. Never read this author before so will look for others. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher!

Buckle up for a rollercoaster ride of emotions with "The One that Got Away"! This book isn't just your average love story—it's a wild adventure through the twists and turns of romance, regret, and second chances. Get ready to laugh, cry, and maybe even throw the book across the room in frustration (but don't worry, you'll pick it right back up because you can't put it down!).This novel dives deep into the messy, complicated world of love, exploring themes of regret and the bittersweet longing for what could have been. But it's not all doom and gloom—there's plenty of humor and heart along the way to keep you hooked.Whether you're a hopeless romantic or just love a good page-turner, "The One that Got Away" promises to keep you on the edge of your seat until the very last page. So grab your favorite snack, cozy up with a blanket, and prepare to be swept away by this unforgettable tale of love, loss, and the enduring power of second chances.

there were a lot of topics touched in this story that I wasn't expecting - overall enjoyed my time reading

This was a good read. It covers some heavy and heartbreaking topics, so I think readers should be aware of that up front. I love second chance romances and books that explore how life can ebb and flow after college.