She's done it again!!!!

In this book, we follow Stella and Max as they go on a journey that felt very First Dates Hotel.

The steam, the tension and the backstory made for a compelling read that I thoroughly enjoyed

I've made no secret of my love for @ospringauthor and I maintain, she is one of my favourite authors. Thank you so much for continuing to put out fantastic books and for being an amazing person

My Thoughts: I went into this one completely blind, I was attracted to the cover and assumed by the title that it would be a second chance romance, a bit of lighthearted reading & in a way I was right.. but what I didn’t expect was alll the spice! 🌶️🥵 – it sounds weird to write this but it was a pleasant surprise, and added a totally different dynamic to the story 🤣

We’re following Stella and Max, they have both been bullied into going to the Love Hotel a place that promises to set you up with your soul mate, with the help of your dedicated Love Alchemist.

They both go begrudgingly with half open minds, but what they don’t expect is to run into the person who shattered their respective hearts years ago!

I was so invested in this story that Stella and Max felt like friends, I wasn’t even necessarily rooting for one over the other I loved them both equally & just wanted them to sort their shit out 😅

I laughed out loud more than once and found myself with my head in my hands, absolutely mortified for them because you just couldn’t make it up (daft thing to say about a book I know..)

There were parts of this book that made my heart melt & plenty of swoon worthy moments too!

It had everything you could want from a spicy romcom and more!

I’ve always loved the books by Olivia Spring, so I was really excited to read this one, and as with each new book, The One That Got Away is my new favourite! It is a second chance romance that also follows the enemies to lovers trope.

I loved the characters of Stella and Max. Both sent to the Love Hotel by well-meaning family/friends, and with an intense history, it was inevitable that social events at the hotel would bring them together. There were some laugh out loud moments during their time together, and I loved the group trip to the Caminito del Rey. I had to google it, as it sounded amazing and it is, although I know if I went, my husband would be refusing to leave the coach while I walked it alone!

I loved the idea of the playlist, and the way in which Stella used her song choices initially to get at Max for the way their relationship originally ended. I loved how the song choices altered as they went from enemies to friends and then lovers.

This sweet but incredibly spicy rom-com kept me thoroughly entertained, and I hope that we get the opportunity to return to the Love Hotel for another romance.

In this fun new rom-com novel, readers join Stella when she discovers her mother has signed her up to the Love Hotel, a luxury matchmaking service that guarantees participants will find their perfect match. In no way interested in the program, Stella is immediately set up with her new match, Max, who actually was her childhood sweetheart who broke her heart years ago. Forced into proximity in some chaotic and entertaining ways, Stella has to stay (no refunds, of course) and make the best of it by keeping Max as far away as possible, though Max is not interested in helping her achieve that objective because the hotel -- and their underlying chemistry -- seem to be working their magic for Max and Stella. With two clever and hilarious characters with a brilliantly established romantic history, readers will love the tropes and environment that Olivia Spring has brought to life in this new and charming romance novel. The characters are the heart of the novel, and the different relationships and individual growth over the novel really draws readers into the story and Max and Stella’s relationship. Hilarious, witty, and charming, readers will love this tropey and romantic new release from Olivia Spring.

The idea and setting was nice and promising but this didn’t work out for me.

My first issue during the first half is that I didn’t feel a strong connection between the two characters. They were tip-toeing around each other at first, which made sense due to their past, but it because of it it just felt forced to me. Once they discussed their past, they fell into a physical connection but I still found the emotional one lacking.

Both characters are indecisive, changing opinion every two chapters on what they want. They can’t make up their minds, act one way and are disappointed by the results of their own actions, and then change their minds three times. Max’ was thé worst of both; for most of the book he couldn’t decide anything by himself and needed his best friend to tell him what to do all of the time - and not just asking for advice but really always talking to him and doing whatever the best friend says.

All in I didn’t find myself rooting for them. I just wanted to get to the end and put the book down. I wasn’t even happy for them that they got together in the end, because after all of that it didn’t feel like they made a really good couple together.

This was a fun, romantic and engaging read. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for letting me review this book.

When Stella finds herself back home with a string of disastrous dates under her belt, she's certain she’s hit rock bottom. Until she discovers her mother has signed her up to The Love Hotel: a luxury matchmaking service where a perfect love match is guaranteed! Stella is adamant she'll have nothing to do with this nonsense! But then a match is found faster than she can say 'Not.A.Chance!' So, how bad can two weeks in the scorching Spanish sunshine be?

Very bad, actually. Because when Stella arrives, she’s mortified to learn her date is no perfect stranger. In fact she knows him a little too well. Because Max is the childhood sweetheart who broke her heart, who her heart remembers and who is more gorgeous than ever.

With no refunds, Stella reluctantly decides to stay and enjoy the holiday - all she has to do is keep Max at an arm’s length...right? Easier said than done when Max is impossible to ignore. And as the Love Hotel begins to work its matchmaking magic, Stella can't deny that the sparks still sizzle between them. And maybe, the experts were right after all...

Loved it.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book. It was wonderful.

this was great. the storyline really interested me, along with the characters. hope to read more of Olivias work in the future :)

I enjoyed “The One Got Away” with this my first time reading a book by Olivia Spring. She did an awesome job with the characters, plot, second chance at romance and Spanish theme. Stella is back home after her dating scene is not going so good. Max is a former football player and is now the CFO of a beauty product company. While Stella’s mom signs her up for The Love Hotel; Max signs up for The Love Hotel after his friend Colton insist that he do. Max and Stella are former teenage sweethearts. Max broke Stella’s heart and walked away as he was becoming an up-and-coming football player. With Max and Stella being exs, it didn’t very long for them reignite their romance. These two are great together. I just love the cover it is definitely an eye catcher.

I received an ARC via NetGalley and Boldwood Books and I a leaving my review voluntarily.

I was so excited to read this book as the blurb sounds sooooo good but this was a tough one for me to get through. Def didn't meet my expectations.
I was struggling with the characters, to me they were winy, annoying and not enjoyable. There was no connection. The whole thing felt forced and I just didn't enjoy it.
Dual POV by Max and Stella, which I was hoping to make the story better but it was ok, I guess much better than just one POV.
I am happy to have had the opportunity to read this book, even though it was not my cup of tea.

Please do not take my review as a reason not to read this book, just because one person cant get into a book or enjoy the characters doesn't mean all will feel that way. If the blurb sounds good to you, go for it and read the book. :)

Right from the start of this story I was sucked in and found it hard to put down.

Both Stella and Max were great characters and their instant attraction and chemistry against their own intentions was brilliant.

I loved Stella's relationship with her mother. It was both fun and new, very modern but also perfect for this story.

4 ⭐️

The way this book started I wasn’t super sure if I’d love it, but ended up enjoying myself.

The story follows a pair of exs who end up on a romantic vacation together, almost against their will. When Stella’s mom signs her up for a dating adventure that Max’s friend just so happened to be signed up for as well, they get matched by expert matchmakers as a perfect pair. What begins as silence and resentment evolves into small talk, lust, and eventually a fun vacation fling (that could be more!!). Could they end up being the perfect pair that the matchmaker dreamed of?

This book was a bit spicy, nothing too vulgar but definitely included some action scenes. If you stick through the first 30/40 pages it really picks up and you want to finish what you started.

Thank you Olivia Spring and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

What a fun set up, this was a fun little Spanish summer holiday with forced proximity and shenanigans. It was an enjoyable read!

This book was a bit slow paced for me, but I still found it very enjoyable. The concept of a Love Hotel is so interesting, and I loved the flirty banter between the characters. Definitely worth the read!

This is my first read by this author and it will not be my last! I love a good romance comedy. Netflix…do you hear me?

The story in emojis: 🍹🌊🩵

My Top 3 things from this book:
•Second Chance Romance
•Spicy Content
•The Love Hotel (Book 1)

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I always enjoy Olivia Springs books and this new one is no exception - it delivered with plenty of humour and lots of spicy content.

My favourite trope from this book was the Second Chance romance one, but actually it was jam packed with tropes, which made for a very entertaining story.

I loved the Love Hotel concept and hope that we get more perfect matches in future books.

A rather slow paced, yet enjoyable read none the less.

I enjoyed following the characters story, and often found them somewhat endearing.... however I did find it a little bit too slow for me.

well i dont know where to start
the book was very slow paced
i kinda enjoy it but some parts were a big no for me
i do hope this helps in anything

This review is being posted as part of the The One That Got Away blog tour hosted by Rachel’s Random Resources.

The One That Got Away is the latest romantic comedy from author Olivia Spring. Fans of a second chance romance this one is for you! Add in many of your other favourite romance tropes including forced proximity, only one bed (or villa in this case) and friends with benefits, all set in the beautiful Spanish sunshine and you have The One That Got Away: the perfect beach read.

This story is told through a dual POV first person narrative and this worked absolutely beautifully. The chapters were short and snappy, with a single scene often taking place across multiple chapters which alternated between Stella and Max’s POVs. I loved getting to see both of their perspectives on a single moment, it suited the plot perfectly. This was a really quick read which I flew through in a single sitting, no doubt thanks to Oliva Spring’s engaging writing style and loveable characters.

Stella was an absolutely brilliant FMC and I warmed to her instantly, particularly when she shared her love of steamy romances. Max was the perfect MMC: gorgeous, charismatic, a gentleman and a total sweetheart. If you’re a sucker for a MMC who makes kind gestures – both smaller and grand gestures – you will adore him just as much as I did.

Stella and Max had fantastic chemistry and the flirting was off the charts. There was many a spicy scene, which were all excellent and I adored the fact that the dual POV narrative allowed us to see these scenes from both perspectives. The way Max talked about Stella in these moments – and throughout the entire novel to be honest – was truly beautiful. It was also brilliant to see aftercare represented following the spicier scenes rather than the chapter ending when the sex does.

Overall, The One That Got Away is absolutely perfect if you’re after an easy and quick read which is packed full of your favourite romance tropes and a whole lot of spice. It will make the perfect beach read so is a must-have in your next holiday suitcase.

Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ / 5 (Explicit Open Door)

I have posted an extended review on my blog www.yourschloe.co.uk

*Thank you to NetGalley, Olivia Spring, Rachel’s Random Resources and Boldwood Books.