life_full_ofbooks's review against another edition
5.0
Every once in a while a book comes along with such a grabber of a first line that it pulls you in and doesn’t let you go until you’ve finished, and this book fits that bill.
This is the love story of Clara and Benjamin. They met in 2000 during their first year of University. They couldn’t have been more opposite of each other, and yet they knew they were meant to be- until they weren’t. Told third person from each of their perspectives and told during multiple years (not always in consecutive order) Charlotte Rixon tells a beautiful story of first loves and how they’re never forgotten.
This is a very character driven book filled with topics such as sexual assault and alcoholism. The characters Ms. Rixon created are very real and sometimes hard to like because of that. That being said, the reflections they have on their past selves add so much to the realistic nature of this story.
This is not your typical romance and as such there is none of the typical predictability that is often found in books of that genre. This is, however, a very realistic look into the lives of first loves and the fallout of their breakup. This is Charlotte Ricon’s debut novel, and what a debut it is. I can’t wait to see what else she has to offer in her career. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the advanced copy. This hit the shelves August 15th.
This is the love story of Clara and Benjamin. They met in 2000 during their first year of University. They couldn’t have been more opposite of each other, and yet they knew they were meant to be- until they weren’t. Told third person from each of their perspectives and told during multiple years (not always in consecutive order) Charlotte Rixon tells a beautiful story of first loves and how they’re never forgotten.
This is a very character driven book filled with topics such as sexual assault and alcoholism. The characters Ms. Rixon created are very real and sometimes hard to like because of that. That being said, the reflections they have on their past selves add so much to the realistic nature of this story.
This is not your typical romance and as such there is none of the typical predictability that is often found in books of that genre. This is, however, a very realistic look into the lives of first loves and the fallout of their breakup. This is Charlotte Ricon’s debut novel, and what a debut it is. I can’t wait to see what else she has to offer in her career. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the advanced copy. This hit the shelves August 15th.
kansascorley's review against another edition
4.0
Wow! This book was such a great read! I loved how not only did we get a dual POV, but also how there were two timelines throughout the story. The author did an incredible job on both fronts while other writers have difficulty properly executing just one of these story concepts.
piperkitty's review against another edition
3.0
The One That Got Away
by Charlotte Rixon
Arc: NetGalley
Publisher: @Aria & Aries, Aria
PUBLICATION DATE: 02 Feb 2023
Genre:#General Fiction (Adult) #Women's Fiction
Benjamin and Clara met that fateful night 20 years ago.
When I first read this blur, I thought it would be a light-hearted read. It's ultimately the opposite. This book deals with many issues. I loved the idea of a second chance romance, but there are so many heavy triggers in this book that it rubies it for me.
The story started well enough, but the middle fell flat, and I lost interest quickly. I wasn’t loving the characters of Clara or Ben and found myself not entirely caring about how the story ended between them. This book just wasn’t my cup of tea.
#TheOneThatGotAway #NetGalley
by Charlotte Rixon
Arc: NetGalley
Publisher: @Aria & Aries, Aria
PUBLICATION DATE: 02 Feb 2023
Genre:#General Fiction (Adult) #Women's Fiction
Benjamin and Clara met that fateful night 20 years ago.
When I first read this blur, I thought it would be a light-hearted read. It's ultimately the opposite. This book deals with many issues. I loved the idea of a second chance romance, but there are so many heavy triggers in this book that it rubies it for me.
The story started well enough, but the middle fell flat, and I lost interest quickly. I wasn’t loving the characters of Clara or Ben and found myself not entirely caring about how the story ended between them. This book just wasn’t my cup of tea.
#TheOneThatGotAway #NetGalley
cathodg's review against another edition
4.0
Written in changing points of view, Clara and Ben’s story told over a 20 year period had me hooked and I finished it within 24hrs. Fans of David Nicholls’ One Day and Sally Rooney’s Normal People will I think enjoy this.
Much of the story takes place during their university years in the early 2000s and I couldn’t help but feel reflective and reminiscent about my own time at University, albeit at the opposite end of the country.
Charlotte Rixon has a very gentle touch to her writing and the story just flows off the page. The book does deal with some dark issues, a bombing and sexual assault to name two, as such it might not sit in everyone’s comfort zone. But ultimately this is a tale of love and loss, how do we live our lives when we believe someone is missing from it.
Much of the story takes place during their university years in the early 2000s and I couldn’t help but feel reflective and reminiscent about my own time at University, albeit at the opposite end of the country.
Charlotte Rixon has a very gentle touch to her writing and the story just flows off the page. The book does deal with some dark issues, a bombing and sexual assault to name two, as such it might not sit in everyone’s comfort zone. But ultimately this is a tale of love and loss, how do we live our lives when we believe someone is missing from it.
avdoshi's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
- Strong character development? Yes
4.0
mollyalex's review
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-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
marliesarits's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
lindaunconventionalbookworms's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars
*I received a free copy of The One That Got Away. This has in no way influenced my voluntary review which is honest and unbiased.*
I really enjoyed Benjamin and Clara's story. It spanned over a bit more than 20 years, with flashbacks from 2022 to 2002 and 2012. At the beginning, it read like a romance, but it wasn't really that. The One That Got Away is a love story, though. But not all that conventional.
Have you ever wondered what if... about someone you were with when you were younger? How your life would have turned out different if only you had made some different choices? Both the good and the bad. That's what happened here with both Clara and Benjamin. They felt like they would be together forever when they were young - and they both kept having regrets long, long after they left uni.
Really well written, The One That Got Away has a lot of heartache, a little happiness, some hope, and quite a bit of working on oneself for both of the main characters.
*I received a free copy of The One That Got Away. This has in no way influenced my voluntary review which is honest and unbiased.*
I really enjoyed Benjamin and Clara's story. It spanned over a bit more than 20 years, with flashbacks from 2022 to 2002 and 2012. At the beginning, it read like a romance, but it wasn't really that. The One That Got Away is a love story, though. But not all that conventional.
Have you ever wondered what if... about someone you were with when you were younger? How your life would have turned out different if only you had made some different choices? Both the good and the bad. That's what happened here with both Clara and Benjamin. They felt like they would be together forever when they were young - and they both kept having regrets long, long after they left uni.
Really well written, The One That Got Away has a lot of heartache, a little happiness, some hope, and quite a bit of working on oneself for both of the main characters.