Gosh, I wanted to love this so much! Unfortunately, it missed the mark for me :( From the beginning, it was very challenging to understand the narrators with their heavy accents.

The cover and title definitely gave me romance vibes but this story was laced with much heavier topics and sadness for the main characters. So many triggers - which is real life! But felt like it overwhelmed the takeaway of the story altogether.

Many thanks to NetGalley and McMillian Audio for the opportunity to read this eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

could be interesting for someone interested in reading about failed relationships, toxic relationships, and obsessive behavior.

I had high hope for listening to "The One That Got Away" and enjoyed dual narrators Carl Prekopp and Katherine Press. However; I felt the story was too similar to a book I read this past year and was turned off from the characters/storyline at the 60 percent mark. I didn't feel connected to Clara or Benjamin and wanted Clara to connect back with her lost love. While this book definitely seems like a romantic story, I would say that it is definitely more contemporary fiction.

I wanted to love this story. The concept is sweet: first love. Shit happens and their lives went in different directions, but they never got over each other. The story is how they find each other again.

The book is definitely not a romance novel. It’s quite dark. It has a lot of possible triggers (PTSD, bombing, s*xual abuse, divorce, infertility, infidelity, etc). It was a bit hard to keep up with the various timelines as it jumped from past to present, from his perspective and hers, sharing his story and her story.

However I do like that, even when they reconnect, it’s realistic. They don’t just “jump into bed and all is good again”. They know they have to get to know each other again, because they are no longer the same people. But finding each other again helps heal wounds and helps them make hard decisions for their lives to move forward.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Thank you NetGalley and McMillan Audio for the audiobook version of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

I very much liked this novel. Read beautifully and more than just a romance novel - it was life. It was falling in love, making many mistakes, challenges with dating, marriage, parenting, alcoholism, trauma, self-esteem, and more. But while this novel did approach all these challenging topics- it wasn’t cliche, it wasn’t overdone but the characters were believable and well written. I hoped the entire book for a happily ever after together for Clara and Benjamin even while circumstances kept them apart.

Trigger warnings : child sexual assault, death, violence, addiction and cancer.

This is a heavy story but an overall good story. If you’re looking for a light fluffy romance this isn’t it. This is a real, deep, intense story that will make you think long after you’re done reading. I listened to the audiobook and do have to say that I was not a fan of the narrators but that’s my personal preference as I have a hard time with British/Scottish narrators with heavy accents because I have a hard time understanding them. That’s why I gave the book 4 stars.

Thank you Macmillan and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to an advanced copy!

This book has heavy topics so I would suggest looking at trigger warnings. Its a good story but has some down moments. I would still recommend this book and will real be reading more of her books. I really enjoyed this audiobook. I'm glad I get to read the physical book and listen to it. It gives you different takes on it for some reason. I really enjoyed it. I would definitely recommend both versions.

Thank you NetGalley and McMillian Audio for allowing me to read this ARC for my honest opinion.

I don't know that I would try to box The One that Got Away into a category like "romance" but I can appreciate what the author did here. Are the main characters unlikeable and flawed? Without a doubt, Do they make a lot of the blatant mistakes and miscommunicate fiercely in a way we were all guilty of once upon a time? Yes. They are gritty,naive and go through heavy traumas and life changing circumstances. Through it they remain drawn to that magnetism of first relationships and the realm of what-ifs. It doesn't pretend to be perfect. It's human instead.
There are several TW, including child sexual assault, parental death, childhood cancer, fatal violence and addiction.
If you are looking for a cookie cutter happily after ever, maybe pass on this one.

Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for a gifted copy