The groom that got away | A flirty Second Chance Romantic Comedy

by Sally Clements

He left her sister at the altar and now she’s the one forced to keep him out of trouble – and out of her heart
You'll love this fun and flirty romantic comedy, because everyone deserves a second chance!April hates Matthews guts, because seven years ago, he left her sister at the altar and broke her heart. Now June’s getting hitched to another man. April’s making the dress, the cake is iced, and nothing, but nothing, will ruin her sister’s big day. Or will it?

Cue the potential crisis.

June has chosen Matthew as her ‘something old’ and invited him to the wedding. Add in the fact that so many sexy sparks are flying between Matthew and April there’s liable to be a fire, and this wedding is fated for disaster. April will have to decide if an old flame can ignite new feelings or if she needs to extinguish the burning desire for her sister's benefit …

Genres: Romance

192 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 18, 2025

About the author

I write romance from sweet to steamy, and I'm a hybrid author: both traditionally published and indie.

MY AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE IS HERE
https://www.amazon.com/Sally-Clements...

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MY WEBSITE IS HERE
http://sallyclements.com/

MY TWITTER IS HERE
https://twitter.com/sallywriter

My Books:
SWEET SERIES:

Reviews

[Alexandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and DP Books for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

April is a seamstress making her sister, June’s, dream wedding dress. After discovering June intends to invite her ex-fiancé, Matthew, who ran out on her seven years prior, April seeks out Matthew to confront him and convince him not to show. After agreeing to get to know him now, April finds out the coffee shop she works at and subsequently her apartment that sits above it, have been caught on fire, making her both temporarily homeless and jobless. In an effort to make amends, Matthew offers her a place to stay and a temporary job to cook and clean around his house. As they spend more time together, April discovers Matthew isn’t the man who she thought he was.

April is fine character. I appreciate that she began to see her sister for her she is, flaws and all, and develops a backbone to those who take advantage of her. I enjoyed her friends, Marie and Elizabeth. I love that she connects with her childhood best friend and Matthew’s sister, Amy.

Matthew sucks; he cannot communicate to save his life, he’s got raging commitment issues and is emotionally unavailable, and most importantly, when April needs him to show the most, he bails on her. I don’t care how many times he declares his love, his actions speak louder. There’s nothing more embarrassing than defending a man to your friends and family who publicly humiliates you. If a man embarrassed me like he did, I’d put him in the grave.

The chapters also felt choppy. In the same chapter, without a distinction in the chapter, the author would change the scene, skipping to a different time and place. I had to reread paragraphs to understand that the author had changed the scene without any indication.

⭐️⭐️⭐️

[nia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC of from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Well safe to say I devoured this book - I am obsessed. I'm Irish myself so loved the callback to an Irish couple - you just don't get them in the books I frequent so bonus points there!

Normally I hate second chance romance, but this title was simply to go so I put my prejudice aside and picked it up - and am I grateful I did. I read this in approx 12hrs I simply couldn't put it down, I feel for the story instantly!

The love story between April and Matthew is beautiful, it is well paced, and the family struggles are well integrated - June is a bit of a cow to say the least but it really works because you can see why Matthew would fall for April.

I really enjoyed seeing both of their POVs and understanding what they were feeling, it worked really well especially when we see April start to stand up for herself, and Matthew realise not only does he feel more but he wants more and she's the only one he wants it with.

I loved the forced proximity, and just following their story as a whole, it was so satisfying to get to their happy ending and see them both truly happy. I also really loved how every single earlier plot point i.e. the running, the signs, the advertising support, all of it was included, it really made this book feel full circle in the best way possible.

This books knows exactly what it's doing and does it so well I am truly obsessed. Overall I loved it and can't wait to read the next instalment!

[Athena Vale · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Logan Brothers: 1/4

📚 Rating 📚
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Writing: ✍️✍️
Characters: 👥
Spice: 🌶️🌶🌶
Ending: 💝

📚 Review 📚
I have to admit that I struggled with the first 30% of the book. It took me a while to get into the story, and I found the beginning a little difficult to follow at times. That may also have been because I was reading while I was out and about. 🫠

Once I reached around the 30% mark, though, everything changed. The story completely pulled me in, and I couldn't wait to find out how it would end. The pacing picked up, the tension increased, and the book became much easier to read. 📚

The characters occasionally came across as a bit immature in the way they handled certain situations, but I still enjoyed watching their relationship develop. There are several intimate scenes throughout the book, and I would definitely consider it a spicy romance. 🌶

Although the book is marketed as a second chance romance, I personally wouldn't classify it as a typical one. When I think of a second chance romance, I usually expect two characters who were previously in a relationship and reconnect after time apart. This story does involve a second chance in a way, but not in the traditional sense, which cames as a good surprise. ☺️

Overall, I really enjoyed this story. If you can get past the slower, slightly more complex beginning, you're rewarded with a fun, engaging romance. I especially loved the ending and the way everything came together in the end. 💝

Thank you to Digital Publishers for providing me with the opportunity to read and review this title. 🎀

[Joanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars for me.

When April found out that her sister June invited Matthew to the wedding she knew it something that must to be stopped.Matthew broke June heart just before their wedding years ago,and April have to find him and let him know he's not welcome.When she found him in London they meet for dinner,and April can't deny the attraction between them.Matthew proving that he changed once he's the only one who can help her in need.After a fire in her work place she can't go back for a while,and end up living with Matthew.
Little did she know that not everything is at it seems,but would those two trust each other?

It was a quick and sexual tension filled read.This romance was steamy,sweet and enjoyable.At the beginning I was not sure about April,she let to be push over,but it didn't dissapoint me when she finally stand up for herself.Matthew was in such denial,it was fun reading his struggles,and thinking he have a choice in the heart matter.My first book by this author,and can't wait to read abouth Matthew brothers.

Thank you dp-digital-publishers for copy,my review is honest and my own.

[Holley Desigio · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an eBook copy of "The Groom That Got Away" from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. This novella follows April, a quirky barista and student designer, who's sister, June is getting married. June was engaged before to Mathew, and pregnant with his baby. But when June lost the baby, Matthew ran away, leaving June heartbroken. June is set on inviting Matthew to show him that she is doing better, but April is convinced it can only cause drama, so she decides to convince him not to come. But as they spend more time together, April becomes convinced that she doesn't have the full story, While fun, this story is full of clichés, and doesn't really round out the characters in the way that they should be. The drama feels superficial, and the "happy ending" feels a bit unearned, and awkward at best, The dating the ex of a sibling trope in romance is not my favorite so I may be biased so while it was a fun one day read, I won't be returning to it.

[Gwen · Rating 4 out of 5]

📚📱Review of The Groom That Got Away by Sally Clemens

The Groom That Got Away by Sally Clements follows a rather classic plotline and makes use of some typical romance tropes – but that's exactly what makes the story such a feel-good read. Even though much of it feels familiar, the book reads smoothly and is emotionally compelling.
I particularly liked how sensitively the characters' processing of the past and their fear of a serious relationship are portrayed. The characters' inner conflicts seem authentic and relatable, making it easy to empathise with them. It's not just about love, but also about personal growth and finally allowing old wounds to heal.

👉 Conclusion: 4 out of 5 stars – An emotional novel that doesn't deliver any big surprises, but knows exactly what it's doing. Perfect for fans of second-chance love and soulful love stories. 💕📖

Thank you to dp digital Publishers for providing the ebook in exchange for an honest review.

[Stephanie White · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set in London, April is a barista and a fashion designer. Her sister, June in her youth had been engaged once to Matthew, when they got pregnant and then she had a miscarriage.

Matthew took the fall, it was a miscarriage of justice, and the whole family hates his family, April's best friend was his sister, and now June is engaged to the son of a political big wig in DC.

June wants to invite Matthew to the wedding, April goes to Matthew and is like don't go - and he is like come to dinner with me - and I'll let you know in a month.

The coffee shop burns down, April lives over it, .......Matthew.....then things get heated.....the truth comes out....

It is a cute little story! I agree with April's best friends that June is a horrible person.

[Kristyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Groom That Got Away by Sally Clements

Thanks to NetGalley and publisher for the ACR copy!

This was a spicy novella second chance romance . April was a strong FMC working at a coffee shop and working on her dream of being a designer . When tragedy happens and her apartment catches on fire she is conviently with Matthew whom is her sister Ex fiance . He take her in lets her stay and gives her a job as his cook to help her have a space and time to redo her collection. Secrets of the past come to life and April learns the truth. As they are living together they both fight falling in love . It spicy , heartwarming and makes you laugh ! The ending grand gesture is swoony ! I'm excited to read others stories from this author 🥰

[Melanboog · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this copy of the groom that got away as an arc from the publisher.
This book is a great palette cleanser between some of the darker books I read. It’s a cute feel good rom-com book. I felt that there could’ve been a bit better character development. The fmc and mmc both needed better communication. The entire book they dealt with the consequences of not communicating, but when it came down to them having hard conversations they just put it off, throughout the entire book. I feel like it would’ve been nice to see them develop and learn from those mistakes.
It’s still a super cute quick read and I plan on reading the rest of the series.

[Diya · Rating 3 out of 5]

Got E-ARC from NetGalley.

Childhood Crush
Second Chance
Sister's Ex-Fiance
Misunderstood MMC

The plot was amazing. It was spicy, fresh, and funny.

The characters were well-written, each with depth and flaws that made them feel real. There was some solid character development, too. April stood out as ambitious, loyal, and kind, while Mathew came across as generous, understanding, and a true gentleman.

The writing, however, could have been stronger. At times, the story felt a bit haphazard and unstructured.

Overall, it worked well as a quick palate cleanser, a short, easy read. I’d still recommend giving it a try at least once. once

[Eva · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a lovely second-chance, happy-ever-after love story.
April and Matthew's mutual attraction is palpable between the lines; as well is their inner turmoil.- Coming to terms with the past and overcoming one's fear of a serious relationship were beautifully portrayed. I really enjoyed the story.

I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
(Note: This is a revised new edition of Runaway Groom (2013))

[Candice Bam · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a really quick and easy read.
Characters were relatable and the romance and chemistry between the characters was good.
The character development was good, as well as the pacing.
I enjoyed the plot and the unexpected plot twists.
I also really liked the forced proximity element.
A really sweet story and I would recommend it to anyone who loves Romance novels.

[Wencke · Rating 3 out of 5]

Advertised as a second chance romance doesn’t really fit. The MMC was the MFC’s sister’s fiancé and there wasn’t really something between them then.
They reconnect because April’s sister invited him to her wedding.
Sparks fly but didn’t catch me completely…was an ok book for me but I didn’t really feel it.
ARC for my honest opinion

[Shaniya Hicks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it, took me a little to get into it but overall really great book. I enjoyed it a lot once I got into it. Was such a cute little ending.

[Elle · Rating 1 out of 5]

If this book wasn’t so short, I would have DNF’d. This is marketed as ‘fun and flirty’ but the characters barely flirted and it wasn’t all that fun. The premise is that April’s sister June is getting married, and invites Matthew, who left her during their engagement seven years ago. Her reasons for doing so are never clear, but April decides she absolutely must speak to Matthew and convince him not to go to the wedding. Oh, and when Matthew and June were dating, April had a crush on him. Because of course.

And for fellow Grey’s Anatomy fans out there, no, I couldn’t stop picturing that April and Matthew, either.

June’s new groom is Michael. We also get a Jason thrown into the mix and another A name and it becomes clear very quickly there are just certain letters the author is very fond of. There’s a tiny bit of flirting between Matthew and April before disaster strikes and April is ‘forced’ to move in with him. Oh, but under the condition that she cooks and cleans for him, and can someone say ‘bangmaid’? All too soon, it seems April doesn’t really care that Matthew (allegedly) left her sister shortly after her sister had a miscarriage! I get that they were young – which quite frankly isn’t referenced enough, especially considering the ‘reveal’ we get regarding June – but they make no attempt to actually discuss it before she jumps into bed with him, and (spoiler) when Matthew gives his perfectly-reasonable-explanation, that’s when April takes a step back and decides she needs time to think about it.

So, essentially – April thinks Matthew left June very close to their wedding, decides sleeping with him is okay, and when Matthew puts forward his own perspective on what happened, then she goes oh, maybe I need to wait. Once things are cleared and the pair actually hook up, they become so codependent on each other so fast. April has a big fashion show coming up but spends most of her time cleaning Matthew’s house, cooking for him, and moping about the fact he’s not there. Matthew runs a business that is about to sign a big contract to provide targeted ads using a tracker in trainers during marathons. Despite the pressure he is under, he spends his days at work moping that April isn’t there and he can’t have sex with her immediately. He also is incapable of committing, and every time they come across the possibility of making their situationship into more of a relationship, he panics and runs.

This isn’t even mentioning how much of a piece of work June is, and how April spends her life running around after her, and when she finally stands up for herself her parents are like “well yeah, duh.” I didn’t find any of the characters likable, I didn’t care about Matthew and April, and the plot felt flimsy at best. Not a romance I’d recommend!