Thank you to Netgalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for this ARC of ‘The Ones Who Got Away’ by Roni Loren.

As someone who suffers from PTSD I immediately had to read this. The representation was flawless. This book showed what effect trauma had on people and the lasting guilt that comes with it. Such a beautiful and painful story. I have more of this authors books on my TBR.

Thank you Netgalley for gifting me an ARC of The Ones Who Got Away.

Firstly, the updated cover is absolutely beautiful and was what first got my interest. It blends nicely with the rest of the series that is coming soon.
Secondly, the story instantly captured me! While containing content that can be triggering for some, it was respectfully written and the morals of the story were inspiring for readers who have faced any sort of traumatic event. I have not faced what these characters have, but have encountered hurt in my life and the emotional roller-coaster the characters went through we very relatable in that sense.
Thirdly, I am not usually a second chance romance kind of girl, but Oliva and Finn's story just works! I love how they help each other face their fears and take the steps of forgiveness and perseverance over hardship. Their chemistry stayed consistent which made it all that more believable too.
Lastly, the author dropped subtle ties to the story with some of the characters to what I would assume would be answered in other books in the series. I found it annoying I was reading this one that they brought it up, but didn't actually reveal anything about it, but can also appreciate shedding light on those unanswered questions in further books tying them all together.
Overall, I enjoyed this story and look forward to diving deeper into the connections and the characters within the series.

Many thanks to Sourcebooks Casablanca for access via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.
Finn grew up in a big fancy house, whereas Liv was the daughter of Finn’s family’s landscaper. The two secretly dated in high school, but lost touch after graduation. While losing touch after graduation may be a regular occurrence, this one was a bit different because of a traumatic experience beforehand. The Ones Who Got Away shows them reconnecting twelve years later, working through their experiences.
I’m a big fan of Roni Loren’s writing, and I jumped at the opportunity to read this book. It was a tougher read than expected because, while it is a romance, the characters involved survived a school shooting 12 years earlier. PTSD, anxiety, and depression are prevalent as the now thirty year olds have moved on from the experience, though they still struggle with the event.
While their grief and healing can be messy, the romance made sense to me and I was rooting for Finn and Liv as a couple. I liked the way the female survivors had come together, even though they weren’t friends before the event, and they were supporting each other as adults. Showing these relationships that grew from the traumatic event helps the reader focus on the positives.
This book was released this month, but it was originally released in 2018.

I read the Say Everything series by Roni Loren two years ago and I'd immediately fallen in love with her writing! Those books were some of my favorites in 2021 and I was so excited to check out her backlist and read her other books too. I'd read The Ones Who Got Away in 2022 and re-read it this month as it's being re-released with a new cover. Though I didn't love this one as much as What If You & Me, the author's writing is still amazing with well developed characters!

Twelve years after a tragic night that shattered many lives, some of the survivors are back in town to film a documentary. Liv and Finn used to date each other secretly in high school - it was a forbidden, opposites-attract relationship of sorts - as Finn was a rising football star who came from a wealthy family while Liv was the landscaper's daughter with a rebellious streak. But the school shooting changed their lives completely and they lost contact. Now that they're back in the same place, old feelings re-ignite but will they be able to make it work this time?

Both Liv and Finn were amazing characters and I felt so sorry for them but I admired their strength at the same time. There was a realistic representation of PTSD in this one and all of the characters had things that they needed to face along with guilt and trauma. Both of them are very different from who they used to be before but it doesn't stop them from understanding each other. I loved how Liv was willing to take a chance by doing something different. Finn has been using his own ways to cope with things and both of them are driven by their ideals.

Though the romance was pretty good too, I wasn't completely blown away by it mainly because of one reason - I didn't feel like they'd fully connected as their present selves. I felt like their attraction was completely based on who they used to be and their past memories. In general second chance romance stories have a lot of flashbacks and readers get to glimpse both the past and present versions of the MCs, while the characters end up falling for each other again in the present. But I wasn't completely sold on the present connection here. So, I guess that was one thing that kept me from loving this one completely.
It was satisfactory in all of the other aspects though and I loved the secondary characters! I'm very interested to read Taryn and Kincaid's stories now and I have a feeling that I might love those a lot more!🤞

I'm a fan of Roni Loren's writing and diverse characters, so I was intrigued by The Ones Who Got Away.

First things first, this book won't be for everyone. "The Ones Who Got Away" refers to a group of students who survived a high school shooting. The book's beginning is quite intense and while the second half is more hopeful, the tragedy weighs heavy on these characters throughout. Roni doesn't shy away from exploring PTSD and the characters' individual grief journeys.

The book follows Liv, who returns to town for a documentary, and local cop, Finn. He's the quintessential tortured hero with a hero complex, while Liv is stuck in a rut and scared to move forward. She's a great FMC though, unashamed to be herself.

This is a second-chance romance, and after lots of tension and teasing, one kiss is all it takes to reignite their chemistry and connection. But they must decide if they can move on from the past and heal together. Get ready for your heart to break and be put back together over these characters as they fight hard to overcome their fears.

Finally, the found family vibes are immaculate!

This story starts with a wild, tragic event on a night we all wait for as High School students and the underlying question is how do you move on?

Liv, our FMC, has buried herself in work as a web designer, keeping herself low profile. When she agrees to a documentary covering that disastrous night, she runs into her old high school crush on her first night home — Finn.

These two had some history that night and prior, and Finn absolutely carries some guilt. I mean, rightfully so after bringing a so-called ‘respectable’ date to prom versus Liv who at the time had a more gothic appearance. Now, he does eventually snap out of it and joins the FBI.

Now when they decide on a friends with benefits situation, I rolled my eyes because you can’t just go doing that on a whim with that sort of history. But the way they fall together was beautiful and the support they have for each others even 12 years down the line is touching.

I had never read this author prior, but I would absolutely pick up the next book as well as any other books from her. This beautifully written novel was well executed and worth picking up if you find yourself looking for a fresh read.


Thank you to Netgalley, Sourcebooks Casablanca and Roni Loren for the eARC.

I forgot that I had read The One Who Got Away when it originally came out. I think given all of the recent shootings and trauma in schools lately I was in a different head space reading the book. I did like it a lot the first time, but I couldn’t enjoy it the way I had before simply because the times we are in feel different. At least for me that was the case. The chemistry between the characters is obvious and that was fun to read again, but I had a hard time letting go and getting lost in the book this time. I would recommend the book if you can do that but the news and the school violence issue just took over for me this time.

What a sweet story! This was funny, emotional, and inspirational. It made me think about whether or not my younger self would be proud of my life now (I think she would). Finn and Liv were both very loveable characters and experienced significant growth and learned how to live more purposefully. Although some quotes made me roll my eyes, overall this was a solid, 4 star read for me. I only wish there was more of...something. I can't put my finger on it. It is almost like there were many different directions the plot could go, and the one we went with fell a tiny bit flat and safe. That didn't ruin my enjoyment, however, and this is still one that I highly recommend!

Thank you, Netgalley, for my copy to review.

When a documentary is filmed twelve years later about the survivors of a school shooting tragedy, Liv doesn't expect to come face to face with her old boyfriend Finn. Now a cop, Liv can't deny it, the attraction is still there.

Wow, what a book! This second chance romance had it all - lots of angst, so much push and pull and steam galore. I have always enjoyed Roni Loren's writing and this book is another great one of hers. I am looking forward to reading more of this series.

Mixed feelings! Story follows survivors of a high school shooting twelve years later as they come back together for a documentary and two (Liv and Finn) rekindle a forbidden romance.

Things I liked: I really appreciated that the author wrote a book that centered on a school shooting without leering at the graphic parts of the event itself. This book could have easily been trauma porn and it isn't. The spice was excellent. I liked the four female friends and am tempted to read the rest of the series to find out what happens with them.

Things I didn't like: I will never love a cop romance and wouldn't have picked this up if I'd known the mmc was a cop (especially one with a violent temper?!?). I'm also not sold on building a romance series around a school shooting, no matter how sensitively it's handled.

Thanks to SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca and NetGalley for the free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I think there are some things that Roni Loren did very well is this story - both our main characters PTSD, from their past and their present. They're both going through a lot of personal growth, and I think really trying to deal with the situations they are in. The romance was not particularly enjoyable for me, as both Liv and Finn seem to approach their relationship from a pretty immature point of view. Something felt off, and their sexual relationship goes from 0-100 but neither of them are really being honest with one another, or with themselves. It was sweet and somewhat sassy, but there just wasn't enough somehow between the two of them. If you want a romance with a lot of personal growth and discovery, with a pretty heavy topic weaved throughout, you may enjoy this. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to provide my honest review.

<b>The Ones Who Got Away by Roni Loren will tug at your heartstrings beautifully. A heartaching and emotional second chance love story of two survivors bound by more than their tragedy. They are bound by the missed chance to love and now they have the option to leave the past behind and begin again.</b>

Olivia and Finn's paths cross again after years of the brutal mass shooting at their high school..when they visit the nightmare again for a charity documentary. It dredge up old pain and old ache. Finn is on a mandatory break after a harsh undercover mission as FBI agent and he invites Olivia to spend the summer weekends at the lake house he is staying. Olivia is rethinking the decisions in her life and may be it's the chance to be the old free Olivia again. But Finn is leaving soon...

<b>Please read responsibly if you have triggers about gun violence. That tragedy has left all the survivors with lots of scar inside. They all found different ways to cope with their trauma. Olivia turned to a reckless life for some time but soon she changed it to a stable one. May be too stable. She didn't reach for her dream to be a photographer. But revisiting the place that took away her dreams ignited something inside her. Finn and Olivia used to be a secret couple because of their social difference and that fateful prom night destroyed everything. Finn has struggled with his pain too and he channeled it into building a career that would help him to take down the criminal syndicates responsible for supplying gun to teenage boys. The constant vengeance and guilt has dimmed the light in his soul but meeting Olivia made him crave something beyond the darkness. He thinks he is broke and incapable of giving Olivia the happy life she deserves. But Olivia never wanted safety in that sense. Finn is so deliciously alpha and I love everything about him. The way he is protective and larger than life and then dominating and spicy behind the doors..it's just perfect. Olivia will win your heart with her sweet and sassy self with amazing sense of humor. Their banter was beautiful. It was very clear from the first moment of reconnecting that their bond hasn't faded away completely. That sizzling attraction, that open camaraderie, the softness, the heartwarming feels..it was a perfect love story.</b>

I reviewed an early copy voluntarily

Overall this was a great story. The author wrote a difficult topic well. The school shooting and its aftermath was written in a sensitive way. The issue's of love, PTSD and anxiety were all dealt with delicately but in an intense and moving way. It often brought a tear to my eye when reading how the survivors were still struggling 12 years later. Even though the book was sad on the positive the main message I took from the book was to live our lives to the fullest, be brave and push ourselves when things become scary and difficult.
The only parts of the book I did not love was the love story between Liv and Finn. It fell flat for so many reasons, I didn't feel the chemistry between them and the reasons that Finn gave for leaving were weak and surmountable, if you truly love someone you would move heaven and earth to make it work especially when this is your second chance.
I would definitely read book 2 in the series as it will be good to see how Liv's friend's story ends.

GENERAL INFO

The Ones Who Got Away- Book #1-4

Year Pub/Re Pub: 3/12/24, Read 3/10/24

Format: eBook, 363 pgs. kindle

Source:   Thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for this ARC🩷 !  I voluntarily give my honest review and all opinions expressed are my own.

Setting: Texas

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Adult Fiction

Tropes: opposites attract, 2nd chance romance, friendship, high school time capsule

TW: school shooting/gun violence, grief, PTSD, depression/anxiety, panic attacks

 HEA/HFN ending: HEA

Epilogue Included: yes

BOOK DESCRIPTION

Synopsis/Plot Summary: Goth girl meets popular, rich boy in high school. Liv is from "the wrong side of the tracks," and Finn can't be seen with her. Tragedy happens on prom night and Finn is there with his date Rebecca, but has a secret rendezvous with Liv. That night changes their lives, and 12 years later that night is resurrected when a documentary is being done on all the families.

M/F-M/M-M/M/F-etc: M/F

Flashbacks: yes, Liv and Finn relationship in high school vs the present

Jealy/Possy/OTT H/h : Liv and Rebecca definitely have a touch of jealously towards each other

CHARACTER DESCRIPTION

Olivia Arias -works @ web design MCT Design, an artist, photography
Finn Dorsey-undercover FBI agent who turns in high level criminals
Rebecca Lindt-Finn's neighbor, a divorce attorney. Always had a crush on Finn
Taryn Landry-Dr. in forensic psychology
Kincaid Breslin-real estate agent

H /h RELATIONSHIP INFO

OW/OM/Exes: Finn and Liv are exes, though Finn never claimed her as his gf

AUTHOR OVERVIEW: Roni Loren

PERSONAL OVERVIEW

Overall Rating: 4

Do You Recommend This Book: yes

Will You Re-read This Book: yes

Would You Read More Books by this Author: yes

COMMENTS/NOTES: I thought this would be a sad book full of PTSD, grief, etc., but it was a 2nd chance romance and an all female support group. Liv, Becca, Taryn, and Kincaid weren't friends until the "After." but they support each other and make a pact to live their lives to the fullest as survivors of such a terrible tragedy. This was originally published in 2018 and is book #1 of 4, each book about a woman in the friend group finding love.

The Ones Who Got Away is absolutely one of those books that sticks with you long after you read it. Loren’s writing is perfect for a story with this much tragedy, emotion, and grief, she handles the heavy subject matter extremely well. This was a 4.5 star read for me and I highly recommend it! Take caution of the CW as the story is about survivors of a school shooting.

It's been twelve years since tragedy struck the senior class of Long Acre High School. Only a few students survived that fateful night—a group the media dubbed The Ones Who Got Away.

Liv Arias thought she'd never return to Long Acre—until a documentary brings her and the other survivors back home. Suddenly her old flame, Finn Dorsey, is closer than ever, and their attraction is still white-hot. When a searing kiss reignites their passion, Liv realizes this rough-around-the-edges cop might be exactly what she needs...

My thoughts:
I really enjoyed this book! I love the relationship between Liv and Finn with the teasing/banter. This was my first book by Roni Loren and I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series. I think the author did a wonderful job taking something so horrible and not letting it become just another gimmick to add unnecessary drama.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this copy of the book in exchange for my honest review!

Before the book starts, I encounter this warning on one of the preface pages:

The Ones Who Got Away contains flashback scenes of a school shooting and gun violence. It also includes depictions of depression, anxiety, panic attacks, and PTSD.

Kudos to the author and/or publisher for inserting this right at the beginning of the book. This should be the norm. I'm not a triggered reader but many are and to be forewarned is a good thing.

The story is about an all too common occurrence, a school shooting. In this case, a documentary is being made 12 years after the shooting. The original school has been torn down and rebuilt. The documentary is being filmed in the new school and several of the survivors have returned for interviews with the film makers.

It is sad and distressing to read about the after effects of the shooting. The survivors are have not and will not escape thoughts and flashbacks of that day. They are forever wondering how differently their lives might have turned out. And, they are suffering survivors guilt. But there is also hope.

Reading about the survivors was interesting. Eye-opening. But, 2 of the survivors revive a teenage crush and in my mind, this was not a necessary part of the story. It did not need to be as central to the story as it was. It could have been alluded to but I did not need the detailed description that was provided. It was not the time and place.

I did enjoy the friendship and healing that was evident throughout.

Note: this is a re-release, originally published in January, 2018.

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for the Advance Readers Copy.

I've enjoyed Roni Loren's books and this one was no exception. I really enjoyed this second-chance romance of two MCs who survived a horrific tragedy when they were teenagers. Their healing process and the way they eventually found their way back to each other's hearts was moving and sweet. I loved it!

Thank you very much to NetGalley's Public Catalog for the ARC.
I absolutely love Roni Loren’s “Say Everything “ series so I was very excited to receive an ARC for “The Ones who got away”. I knew this book was going to be an easy 5 star read for me after reading the first chapter. Roni Loren is a master in discussing dark issues and mental health struggles but they weave perfect & romantic stories from them. Liv & Finn after everything they had endured just broke my heart but the story bringing them both back together will stay with me a long time. This book doesn’t shy away from the aftermath of school shootings or extremely tragic events and the impact it has on those left afterwards. Some quotes that made me cry, made my heart explode, & that will stay with me are:

-“I love you. I did back then. And I love you even more today. I don’t need a mission to get me up every morning. I already have my mission right here—to wake up every day and spend my life with you.” He pulled a gold ring from his pocket, one she recognized, one she’d secretly coveted all those years ago but could’ve never worn publicly. His high school ring. He held it up. “I know it hasn’t been long, but in some ways it feels like we’ve waited a lifetime. Will you marry me, Liv?”.

-“She stared down at the ring and then looked up at the man who’d given it to her. Over a decade ago, she’d walked off this campus with a shattered life. This past summer, she’d walked into this gym alone, afraid, and lost. Tonight, she’d walk out the woman she’d always wanted to be with the man she’d always loved. A smile touched her lips. “Yeah, I think I might owe him my life.”

-“Ready to go home, Mr. Dorsey?” Home. “Always.” He took her hand, and through the doors where the shooters had once walked, he stepped out with the woman he loved into the cool, starry night. No longer aftermath. Happy. We win.”

Every time I read the last paragraph I cry. I absolutely recommend this book and will read the next books in the series!

The Ones Who Got Away is a story about a group of people who survived a school shooting coming back together 10 years later and finally dealing with the aftermath. I was expecting an emotional story about how the survivors have dealt with their trauma but this is also a second chance romance. The author decided to focus on the characters as adults and how they deal with each other rather than focusing on the shooting.

Olivia agrees to participate in the documentary about the school shooting because she wants to find some sort of closure. She had an incredibly rough time in her life around the time of the shooting and she bonded with some of the other young women that were at the school at the time. She and her friends find themselves coming back together because they have all agreed to participate in the documentary. I won't get into the details of their school relationship and their adult relationship. The author decided to show how tragedy can bring people together and even help each other heal. The women's relationship is a wonderful part of that journey. I enjoyed the part of the story about Olivia rediscovering her love of art. I wasn't sure where the author would go with it but I thought it was really well done. Finn was hailed as a hero after the shooting. He has never felt like he was a hero because he knows there was more to his story than saving his date, Rebecca. His conflict with his family was a nice addition to the story. The author could have spent a lot of time developing his family dynamic but chose to give readers a taste of it and then move on. I think it was a good choice or it might have bogged the story down. The reveal of Finn's job was good. I thought the author was going to go one way and she went another. It also made the end of the story better. There are some side characters that play pivotal roles in pushing the story forward.

My one issue with the story was that the beginning was quite slow as compared to the rest of the book. It almost felt like the last 2/3 of the story was written first and then the first 1/3 was written/edited to fit it. It just read a little uneven.

This is a contemporary romance set in a small town. It is a second chance romance. If you as sensitive to the topic of school shootings, this might not be a good choice for you as the shooting is integral to the story. I will read more from this author in the future.