The One that (Almost) Got Away

by Kimberley O'Malley

New Year’s resolutions were for suckers. At least that’s what Jamie used to think. Until her high school reunion save-the-date arrived, bringing with it thoughts of Chad Davis; the one that got away. Determined to lose that stubborn twenty (or thirty) pounds and show Chad what he was missing, Jamie joins a gym.

Enter Griff, said gym owner. Enchanted by the funny and gorgeous Jamie, he regrets his no dating the clients rule. But when she blurts out her desperate plan to wow her long ago crush, Griff finds himself agreeing to be her plus one. A few days alone, hundreds of miles from home? And meeting her family? What could go wrong?

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Amazon, Contemporary

346 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 1, 2020

About the author

Kimberley O’Malley is a transplant to Charlotte, North Carolina from the frozen North. She is learning to say y’all but draws the line at sweet tea. Sarcasm is an art form in her world. When not writing, she is a full-time nurse and part-time lacrosse Mom, but not necessarily in that order. She shares her life with an amazing husband of more than twenty-five years, two mostly grown kids, and two mischievous Shetland Sheepdogs, Callie & Lucy.

Reviews

[Robyn Washington]

Jamie made me want to lose weight and at the present this inspired me to go back on my diet. This was a nice quick read and a good romance. Griff sacrificed his feelings for her for another man. I love how Griff helped her to get in shape and the chemistry between them was emotional and exciting. Griff does not date clients and that gets in the way. I give this book a 5.

[Tianna Croy]

I loved this story. It had the slow burn, friends to more, that I love. I think Jamie was like most women and was insecure about her body but to Griff she was perfect just the way she was. What started out as an in your face to Chad, who never even noticed her in school turns to feelings for another man. What's not to love about Griff, he was willing to sacrifice his own heart if it meant Jaime would be happy. It tickled me when he would call Chad other names just to annoy her. I know a lot of people like Jaime that turned out great in spite of her family. At least she found her soul sister and best friend Sam because as we know family is who you choose, not just those you're related to! I'm excited to see where this series goes. Best friends with best friends would be awesome. Of course you have the ever present Ms Harriet the gym busy body, she is a hot mess

[Helen]

This was a very predictable story. Everybody was gorgeous, smart, funny -blah! There was mild tension and anxiety, but no real villains or challenging situations. The solution to the gym owner's rule was so obvious, but of course the story had to be dragged out with the main characters both not saying what they wanted. I guess these types of books just aren't for me - this is meant for a young or immature audience.
2.5 stars

[Breen]

"What a wonderful and special story I've just read. I'm in love with Jamie and Griff’s story. Page-turner guaranteed! I’m not quite sure if it’s a slow or fast paced story because everything was utterly perfect. Romantic, funny and so lovely.

Jamie gained a special place in my list of favorite female characters. When I first read the blurb I was excited about the plot but I thought she was going to be somehow annoying. I wished she wouldn't be and I’m so pleased of how her character developed. She had some self esteem issues but nothing annoying nor frustrating. It was more a lack of confidence. She was determinated, funny and honest. It was delightful to read how she matured along the story.

Griff. He was so cute. Being inside his head was glorious though I would have loved to have longer chapters told by him but it was wonderful knowing him more deeply. His inner thoughts had me rolling of laughter but also yelling in frustration about that specific rule which I'm not going to spoiler. He was funny, cute, lovely, protector, caring and such a gentleman. I absolutely adore how he encouraged Jamie and how he helped her.

The spark between them was almost immediate. They laughed, worked and hang out together developing a wonderful bond of friendship and perhaps something more special and intimate?

There’s no thing I didn’t love about Jamie and Griff’s story. Utterly amazing like I said. There’s no way I can go without mentioning Jake and Sam. Such wonderful and encouraging friends to both of them. I'm looking forward for the next installment in the Palm Harbor series. ”

[Kitty Moon]

This story was so relatable. I felt like I was living vicariously through Jamie. This was a feel good romance. Jamie and Griff's story was such a cat and mouse game. I think we all pretty much know how a story is going to end for the most part. But even as I watched their relationship bud and bloom, there was always that what if factor hanging in the wind. Jamie meets a good looking muscled Griff at her new gym. Having joined the gym to get in shape before her class reunion, Jamie's original focus is on "the one that got away" and Griff at first is on board to help her get herself in shape for the golden boy of her dreams in high school. He never banked on falling for Jamie in the process. The more time they spend together working out, Jamie is falling for Griff and losing sight of her original plan. But Griff owns the gym and has a no dating clients rule. Jamie wonders if she will ever convince him to break his number one rule. But then a devastating misunderstanding might just be the end-all deal breaker and Griff just might be the one who got away. I really loved this story. Full of sweet moments, laughable moments and some deep moments.

[Jacqui Norris]

This is a quick, easy, fun read. A little predictable, but the HEA is always the best. The story focuses on Jamie, an accountant heading to her high school reunion. As anybody would, she joins a gym to get herself in shape in hopes of wowing the hunky captain fo the football team she tutored. So she enters the gym for the first time in the wee hours of the morning. Overwhelmed, she tries for something easy, the treadmill. If you are Jamie, nothing is easy. Over walks a well defined guy to help her out, Griff. He smiles when he sees her talking to the equipment as sort of a pep talk. He offers to help and a new friendship is formed. The problem? He owns the gym, doesn't date clients, and thinks she is perfect the way she is.
Kimberley O'Malley has a way of writing quirky little love stories. She creates good chemistry between her characters that keep the reader drawn in. I will continue to read this series and see where Ms. O'Malley takes us.

[Linda]

The One that (Almost) Got Away is a well-written sweet/clean romance. Jamie Lawler lives in Palm Harbor where she works at Smith & Smith Accounting. Making her job bearable is her best friend, Sam, who is also an accountant there. When Jamie gets the invitation to her 15 year high school reunion she rsvps that she will be attending. She wants to look good when she sees her teen crush-Chad so she gets a gym membership to lose some weight. The gym she starts going to is Getting it Done. She meets co-owner Griff Layne and after several conversations during work outs, he offers to go to the reunion as her plus one. For me the best parts about this book were the banter between Jamie and Griff and their un-date, the "friendship" between Sam and Griff's best friend/co-owner of the gym Jack Whittaker, and the dinner with Jamie's family. I am looking forward to seeing what happens with Sam and Jack in book 2.

[Mary Fazzi]

Griffin and Jamie are total opposites, but a high school reunion makes a chance meeting. With Griffin owning a gym and Jamie became a member to workout and become healthier and look good for her crush, she runs into Griff and they become friends fast. With Jamie not sure how some of the exercise equipment works. Griff helps her to learn how to work them. They workout before heading off to work. The thing is Griff hasn’t told her that he owns the gym with his best friend Jack. There is also a rule about not dating any members, but there is a chemistry between them and of course he stops it before it starts. She wants him. He wants her. This back and forth with mixed signals is just crazy for all of them. Will they get it together or will someone else come into the picture and get her out on a date.

[Andrea Martin]

The one that almost got away is a sweet quick read that will keep you turning the pages till the end. Jamie and Griff definitely have that slow burn chemistry that everyone longs to feel. Everyone wants to go back to their high school reunion and prove whom ever slighted them wrong. Jamie is no different. She joins a gym to loose weight that she feels she needs to so she will finally get the guy she's dreamed of. The one that never noticed her in school. She meets Griffin when she joins his gym. However she DOESN'T KNOW its his gym. She thinks he's just there as another patron. He immediately notices her and is drawn to her. Will she end up with Griffin or will she get what she's always longed for with her first crush? You'll have to read to find out. I for one would love to see more of these characters and can't wait for whats next!

[Heather]

The one that (almost) got away was a great read. It follows Jamie and Griff. Jamie feels she has a little weight to lose, does no exercise and although successful in accountancy feels like she has never lived up to her family’s expectations. Jamie decides, after years of declining, that she will go to her high school reunion and sets herself a goal to lose a few pounds before she returns. High school, like her family, is a place where Jamie felt overlooked. She meets Griff, owner of the local gym she joins and although J as mid is the first women Griff has had an interest in for a while, he has a strict no dating the clients role. But the more time they spend together, and with Griff offering to take Jamie to her school reunion things get complicated.

[Carolyn]

Griff and Jamie

This is the first book in Kimberley O’Malley’s new Palm Harbor Series. This one had me laughing throughout and was a joy to read. It features Jamie Lawler, a clutzy accountant, who joins a gym to get in shape for her 15 year school reunion. She wants to show her high school crush (who ignored her) she made something of herself. Enter co-owner of the gym, Griff Layne. He is totally taken by Jamie and helps her tackle some of the gym machines and ask her out. The only problem is he has this rule that he doesn’t date clients. They agree to a friendship and he volunteered to be her plus one for the reunion. Read this feel good romance to see if they can get past Griff’ crazy rule.

[Andrzejewski Amy]

The One that (Almost) Got Away was a sweet, funny, easy read. I loved reading Griff and Jamie's story. What girl could get lucky enough to meet a sexy, hottie at the gym, to later find out that he's part owner.
This pair clicks and are perfect for each other. You can feel the heat coming off the pages. Griff friend-zones Jamie and puts their budding relationship on the back burner. He sends Jamie plenty of mixed signals through out the story. The more time they spend together as "friends" the stronger things become. Thanks to this pairs besties, for giving them that final push to take it to the next level.
I'm looking forward and excited to read Book 2 in the Palm Harbor series, Sam and Jacks book.

[Sharon]

This was a cute read and a great summer book escape. Jaime is completely relatable as a character. She wants to lose weight to impress the one that got away; Chad.
She joins a gym and starts to work out with the buff gym owner Griff. These two have a slow burn with the original goal or getting Jaime buff for Chad. Griff and Jaime are attracted to each other.
They develop a friendship and Griff struggles with his no dating the client rule.
These characters were very likable. The story sweet and an easy light read. I will be reading the next in the series. I am volunteering to leave a review for this book

[Kristi]

This book is a little like a breath of fresh air.... low angst, great relatable heroine, Smoking hot gym owner that sees the heroine as someone he wants to know...but just one problem...he doesn't date clients. Funny thing is, Jamie doesn't even know that he owns the gym.....soooooo..... the characters dance around each other in a charming way. Jamie wants to look good for her class reunion, and ultimately Griff volunteers to go with her. Family drama and an old crush complicate things, but there is quick resolution.
This book is a slow burn sweet romance.

[Samantha Waldow]

This is the first book in the Palm Harbor series. Jamie wanted a change. Just a little one. She made a resolution and is finally doing it. She joins a gym to help with her goal. Get fit before her 15 year high school reunion and see Chad. Chad was her high school crush but never did anything about it. Her first day at the gym, Griff sees her talking to a machine and  had to meet her. Jamie and Griff have great chemistry.  I loved reading this book. I enjoyed seeing there story unfold and all the banter between them. I can't wait to read the next book in this series.

[Terri]

This book was entertaining and inspiring. I loved Jamie and admired the way she fought for her dreams. Griff was sexy and kind, and I liked him even when I wanted to shake him. There were many fun times with friends, workouts with attitude, delicious-sounding food, and a couple I cared about. Jamie and Griff never doubted that they would be wonderful together, but they had to figure things out. I was happy to go along for the ride. I enjoyed this book, and I'm looking forward to the next in the series.

[Bridget Hickey]

Jamie joins a gym to get into shape before she heads to her home town for a reunion.She wants to look her best for all that didn’t see her in school.Especially that school boy crush she had .She meets Griff when she attends the gym and dam can you feel the chemistry between these two.This is a slow burn that will have you craving more,sometimes we don't even see what's in front of us.I have read all of Kimberley's books and she has never disappointed me.I also love her cozy mystery series with the two crazy aunts

[Tammy Deighan]

Well I have to say I really enjoyed this laugh out loud book. The story line was great and the two main characters where so good. Passion and just being easy with each other came through these pages. I don't want to give any of the actual story away because you will love it and its worth just picking up the book and experiencing it yourself. Great job looking forward to more books from this author. I wish the story would of gone on more but with any great book you want that.

[Loralie]

Sometimes you get into a book that you really click with. Jamie is like my soul sister. I think I need to take her story into account. Trying to better her life and making it happen, both job and lifestyle. Meeting Griff was like a little incentive and a present all at the same time. I loved how supportive he was with all aspects of Jamie's life. I loved the slow burn between the two and their journey to bettering their lives with each other. Can't wait for book 2!

[Samantha Ohler]

This type of who-to-choose romance is right up my alley! I also love that Jamie isn't super skinny. Her character is more relatable to curvy women that often feel insecure about their bodies. Enter Griff, the character who falls for Jamie just the way she is (every woman's dream). This book is totally predictable but totally swoon worthy! Stereotypical romance with a couple of classic tropes that leave you wanting more! Can't wait to read book 2!!

[Deb]

If you are looking for a fun, light read to escape into, this book is perfect. No shocking surprises with the story line, the characters meet, fall for each other but deny their feelings, they are put into a situation that pushes them together, there's a misunderstanding and then a happy ever after.

[Leanne Bryson]

Jaimie is getting ready to go to her HS reunion and wants to wow her HS crush, so she joins a gym. Gym owner Griff thinks she perfect, beautiful, sweet, funny, and they become friends. But as the owner, he has a rule not to date clients, so what to do with this crazy chemistry. The book is fast, fun, sexy, flirty, light, little beach read.

[Donna Marie]

Sweet and Amazing

I really loved this book and I love Griff and Jamie. They are so made for each other even though Griff wouldn’t get with her because she was a client at the gym. He has a stupid rule. Jamie is sweet, amazing and has one awful family that needs a reality check lol.

[Deirdre Stokes]

Jamie and Griff really made this story great. Two well-written characters that just draw you at the moment you meet them. This story was funny and sad and just worth not putting down. Every moment of this book had you wanting more for it only got better towards the end. The only thing I disliked about this book was Chad being her realize to lose weight.

[Jade Neill]

Super cute read. I love Jamie, she is funny and quirky and I can relate to her character a lot. Griff is totes cute, love his character and the way that he is with Jamie. I definitely recommend this book. Who doesn’t love a friends to lovers romance with some comedy in it? Can’t wait to read the rest of the series.

[Wendy]

I loved Griff and Jamie! He is so determined to not be more than her friend and she can't decide if she wants him more than her her high school crush at times. They are funny, sweet and all kinds of swoony. I have only read Kimberley's cozy mystery series so this is fun to see the other side of her writing skills. Can't wait to jump right into the next one in the series.

[Laura Gimbel]

I really enjoyed this book. It was funny and lovable. Two people Jamie and Griff felt something at their first meet at the gym. Griff is a partner with Jack at the gym and a policy of no dating the clients. Jamie wanted to better herself for a class reunion and see if the one that got away was always what she wanted, Chad.
Do Jamie and Griff prove their feelings for each other?

[Sarah Gulyas]

This was a really cute story of "will they, or won't they?"

I loved the characters and the chemistry they had immediately. Jamie and Griff were just so stinking cute!!

I can't wait to read Sam's story! Thats going to be interesting to see how that all plays out.

[Jennifer Richey]

This was a cute summer read and griff & Jamie we’re so compatible even tho Jamie was just trying to lose weight for her high school reunion she ended up finding more than that! Can’t wait to read sams story it seems like it will be a hoot!

[Angela]

Amazing Read!!! In true O'Malley fashion this is another great!!! Loved the characters and storyline...i absolutely fell in love with Jaime and Griff and cannot wait to see what happens with Sam & Jack...so excited to hear there will be more too come!!!