Reviews with content warning for Mental illness - The One That Got Away

Reviews tagging 'Mental illness'

The One That Got Away by Charlotte Rixon

5 reviews

conpierre's review against another edition

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dark emotional sad tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

The One That Got Away by Charlotte Rixon

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐.5

This book took me on a rollercoaster of emotions. If you're looking for a simple second chance romance book this is way more than that. It's an intense story about love and the toxic winding road it can sometimes take us on.

The story is told in dual POV and in a past and present timeline. The story is about two flawed people who fall in love in college but are eventually torn apart by a huge mistake. Clara is bright but clingy and possessive. Benjamin is bright but insecure and unfocused. They dated for two years and the present story takes place twenty years later. It was interesting to me how I had moments when I both liked and disliked the main characters. Their relationship was full of ups and downs and I felt exhausted at times of their merry-go-round of a relationship and at times just wanted to get off. We see in the present timeline that the pair have never really forgotten each other but life and circumstances have always kept them apart. When Clara becomes afraid that Benjamin was hurt in a bombing we go back in time to find out the big event that tore them apart.

What I liked about it: Although I found the relationship exhausting I also found it realistic. I felt the chemistry between the two main characters through the pages. Ms. Rixon added a lot of depth to the pair and made them feel real. I'm a huge fan of dual POV and she did a wonderful job of ensuring both character's voices were heard. If you're looking for an emotionally charged read then this is the book for you.

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krheath's review against another edition

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emotional slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No

4.0

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raisingself's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious sad tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This book is an angsty and slightly heartbreaking love story told in the past and present over 20 years in England. It touches on a lot of tough subjects so trigger warning for:

Parent loss
Mental illness/Mood disorder
S. Assault
Child abuse
Depictions of class and inequality
Violence
Infertility

All of the things are in this book but oddly it was not triggering. It was a slow burn storytelling of young people I'll equipped for life finding and loving each other. It is not a traditional romance novel, in that it feels too realistic. The main characters too flawed. The realities of life too difficult.

This a book that people will with like or hate. It slightly reminds me of a better version of Normal People by Sally Rooney, which I disliked but this for all of its intensity, sadness and slow inwinding, I did enjoy. The book ends with a dash of tender hoepfulness, which I appreciate.

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korinnagarcia's review against another edition

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dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This story was gripping, poignant, and foreboding. It touches on a lot of heavy life subject matters that can be triggering and there are so many, for example; suicide, bomber, sexual assault, alcoholism, death of a parent, fertility issues, and manslaughter, just to name a few. I appreciate that the author handled these subjects with as much care and sensitivity as possible. This story is very character driven and non linear. I personally love non linear/dual timeline plots, I find them more immersive than linear plots. I loved this story and I instantly fell for Benjamin. I greatly sympathized with his character, he reminded me so much of Connell from Normal People. To me Clara was a bit unlikable but I found her state of ennui and her constant indulging in reminisce very relatable. This book had a lot of dark parts but were perfectly balanced with moments of beauty in the simplicity and realism of the characters.

I recommend to anyone who can stomach all the triggers, to fans of second chance romance, to fans of Normal People, and to those of you that relish in the heart wrenching stories, like I do. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

*Thank you so much to NetGalley, St. Martins Press, and of course Charlotte Rixon, for allowing me to read this E-ARC.

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lightltup's review against another edition

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challenging emotional reflective medium-paced

5.0

Oh my god this book had me in a hold. I didn’t not look up from my kindle for hours.. The book follows the once lovers throughout the two decades in the past (leading up to their last communication) to the present where Carla tries to find Benjamin after a tragic incident at a football stadium. The first chapter had me hooked instantly. I was on the edge of my seat each 2022 timeline chapter. At first I thought that 2002 Carla was kinda clingy and toxic but she grew up a lot in 20 years and 2022 Carla is great in my opinion. The ending had me shocked in a way. I predicted some things that happened but they weren’t in the exact same way I predicted them so I didn’t mind that at all. It’s a book about love, regret, and possible second chances. Overall such an amazing book and it became a favorite of mine!

Thank you NetGalley and Charlotte Rixon for the opportunity to read this book in exchange of an honest review!

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