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The Ones Who Got Away #1
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Finn liebt Liv, und Liv liebt Finn. Doch ein schreckliches Ereignis reißt sie auseinander. Als sie nach vielen Jahren wieder aufeinandertreffen, ist nichts mehr, wie es war. Die einst so wilde Liv hat einen Job, der sie nicht erfüllt, der verlässliche Finn ist Undercover Cop, ohne Familie, ohne Bindungen, immer auf dem Sprung. Sofort sprühen wieder die Funken. Doch die Vergangenheit hat Spuren hinterlassen, und die Verletzungen sitzen tief ...
412 pages, Paperback
First published January 2, 2018
922 people are currently reading
9946 people want to read
About the author
Roni Loren
45 books3,554 followersRoni wrote her first romance novel at age fifteen when she discovered writing about boys was way easier than actually talking to them. Since then, her flirting skills haven’t improved, but she likes to think her storytelling ability has. She holds a master’s degree in social work and spent years as a mental health counselor, but now she writes full time from her cozy office in North Texas where she puts her characters on the therapy couch instead. She is a two-time RITA Award winner and a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,311 reviews
October 17, 2017
A few years back, I picked up a novella from Roni Loren—the sweet and sassy, Nice Girls Don't Ride—but for some reason never found myself crossing paths with any of her full length novels until The Ones Who Got Away caught my eye. I love nothing more than pages packed with emotion and perseverance—I think I might've mentioned a time or two that I’m an optimist at heart—and I felt like this author delivered with Olivia and Finn's heart-wrenching story.
“Broken glass still made art. Sometimes, the most beautiful kind.”
I like the fact that Roni Loren decided against throwing us in the midst of the massacre—a high-school shooting on prom night. Instead, she takes us back to the scene of the crime with the filming of a documentary, 12-years post-devastation, and a series of stress-related nightmares/flashbacks. It's during the interview process that Olivia and Finn come face-to-face for the first time since that life-changing night; both with differing perspectives on Finn’s hero status and unavoidable feelings. The intensity they shared as teenagers is still there after all this time and it's equal parts awkward and exciting; deep and visceral.
“Tell me you want this.”
“I want you.”
Besides the fun repartee and undeniable chemistry that Olivia and Finn share, this story brings to the forefront the importance of living your life to the fullest; fear be damned. Surrounding yourself with people that not only support you, but push you to chase your dreams, instead of sitting back and watching you wallow in what feels comfortable is everything. I absolutely adored Olivia’s tribe and I assume that a few, if not all, of the women will end up with their own book in the series. There were times when petty jealousy and cattiness could have taken over, but in what felt like a refreshing twist, true friendship won out instead.
“I promise, Class of 2005, to live the life that scares me.”
Were there some aspects that felt tied up with a pretty bow for the sake of an “awww” inducing moment? Absolutely. Do I wish things would have gotten a tad bit messier for the emotional sake of the story? Of course; I’m a glutton for punishment and tears. Did any of the things I just mentioned detract from my experience? No way. Sign me up for book two; I’m in.
*Thank you to Edelweiss and Sourcebooks Casablanca for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
“Broken glass still made art. Sometimes, the most beautiful kind.”
I like the fact that Roni Loren decided against throwing us in the midst of the massacre—a high-school shooting on prom night. Instead, she takes us back to the scene of the crime with the filming of a documentary, 12-years post-devastation, and a series of stress-related nightmares/flashbacks. It's during the interview process that Olivia and Finn come face-to-face for the first time since that life-changing night; both with differing perspectives on Finn’s hero status and unavoidable feelings. The intensity they shared as teenagers is still there after all this time and it's equal parts awkward and exciting; deep and visceral.
“Tell me you want this.”
“I want you.”
Besides the fun repartee and undeniable chemistry that Olivia and Finn share, this story brings to the forefront the importance of living your life to the fullest; fear be damned. Surrounding yourself with people that not only support you, but push you to chase your dreams, instead of sitting back and watching you wallow in what feels comfortable is everything. I absolutely adored Olivia’s tribe and I assume that a few, if not all, of the women will end up with their own book in the series. There were times when petty jealousy and cattiness could have taken over, but in what felt like a refreshing twist, true friendship won out instead.
“I promise, Class of 2005, to live the life that scares me.”
Were there some aspects that felt tied up with a pretty bow for the sake of an “awww” inducing moment? Absolutely. Do I wish things would have gotten a tad bit messier for the emotional sake of the story? Of course; I’m a glutton for punishment and tears. Did any of the things I just mentioned detract from my experience? No way. Sign me up for book two; I’m in.
*Thank you to Edelweiss and Sourcebooks Casablanca for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
January 5, 2018
4.5 STARS
Poignant, sensual, and truly unforgettable. I'm absolutely blown away by The Ones Who Got Away and can't wait for more in this series!
I've been a huge fan of this author since I first read Crash into You years ago. There's something about her writing that just wraps around you and...sticks. She wrote some of my most favorite sizzling BDSM romance. Yet nothing prepared me for this book. I expected it to be great, it's Roni Loren after all. I simply wasn't expecting it to effect me as much as it did. I give Loren so much respect for daring to take on such a sensitive subject matter and not turning it into fodder, but making it poignant and memorable. It was completely unforgettable.
How do you move on as one of the few survivors of a devastating and deadly school shooting? Twelve years later, Liv Morris is still struggling with the answer. Back in a town she swore she'd never come back to, she finds herself wandering the halls of her old high school. A documentary that will be sharing the proceeds with the families of victims and research to help prevent tragedies like that happening again are cause enough for her to come back. But what she's not prepared for is to run into the love of her past.
Finn Dorsey was the golden boy of the town, a football superstar, son of an influential family, while she was the girl from the wrong side of the tracks. They were polar opposites yet something drew them together only to be tragically torn apart due to impossible choices made in a terrible time that they both regret. But Finn isn't the boy he used to be anymore. He's hardened, changed, and full of regret. Olivia is also not the girl he used to know and it doesn't take long for the sparks between them to reignite.
Aside from their fantastic banter, there were plenty of other things to love about these characters. I loved the woman that Liv became. She's a quiet sort of strength and while she's not where she thought she'd be as a naive girl back in high school, she's determined to change her life now.
Finn was simply devastating. Man but my heart broke for him. He has so much guilt over what happened to Liv during the shooting. And even though he's dedicated his life to ensuring that what happened to them doesn't happen again, he's lost sight of the boy he used to be. All he's known is his job and it's slowly eaten away at his very soul. He's not surprised that it takes the vivacious Liv to remind him of what he once craved and crave it all over again. The chemistry between them was completely incendiary but also quirky and sweet.
In addition to their romance, there were secondary characters introduced in the form of the other survivors that I was immediately hooked on. I can't wait to get their stories; Rebecca in particular.
If you're looking for a story that's full of meaning and romance and a step outside of the typical, this is most definitely a must read.
ARC courtesy of publisher in exchange for an honest review
Find me on:
She’d been pretty in high school. Quirky cool. But now she was just flat-out beautiful. And successful. And hella smart. And offfuckinglimits.
Poignant, sensual, and truly unforgettable. I'm absolutely blown away by The Ones Who Got Away and can't wait for more in this series!
I've been a huge fan of this author since I first read Crash into You years ago. There's something about her writing that just wraps around you and...sticks. She wrote some of my most favorite sizzling BDSM romance. Yet nothing prepared me for this book. I expected it to be great, it's Roni Loren after all. I simply wasn't expecting it to effect me as much as it did. I give Loren so much respect for daring to take on such a sensitive subject matter and not turning it into fodder, but making it poignant and memorable. It was completely unforgettable.
How do you move on as one of the few survivors of a devastating and deadly school shooting? Twelve years later, Liv Morris is still struggling with the answer. Back in a town she swore she'd never come back to, she finds herself wandering the halls of her old high school. A documentary that will be sharing the proceeds with the families of victims and research to help prevent tragedies like that happening again are cause enough for her to come back. But what she's not prepared for is to run into the love of her past.
Finn Dorsey was the golden boy of the town, a football superstar, son of an influential family, while she was the girl from the wrong side of the tracks. They were polar opposites yet something drew them together only to be tragically torn apart due to impossible choices made in a terrible time that they both regret. But Finn isn't the boy he used to be anymore. He's hardened, changed, and full of regret. Olivia is also not the girl he used to know and it doesn't take long for the sparks between them to reignite.
“So I’ve heard. This morning, in fact. Glad I get to join in this time.”
Aside from their fantastic banter, there were plenty of other things to love about these characters. I loved the woman that Liv became. She's a quiet sort of strength and while she's not where she thought she'd be as a naive girl back in high school, she's determined to change her life now.
Finn was simply devastating. Man but my heart broke for him. He has so much guilt over what happened to Liv during the shooting. And even though he's dedicated his life to ensuring that what happened to them doesn't happen again, he's lost sight of the boy he used to be. All he's known is his job and it's slowly eaten away at his very soul. He's not surprised that it takes the vivacious Liv to remind him of what he once craved and crave it all over again. The chemistry between them was completely incendiary but also quirky and sweet.
“No, you’ve killed me. I’m now speaking to you from the great beyond.” She laughed. “Is it nice there?”
“So nice.”
“Are there unicorns?”
He reached out and brushed his thumb along her lips. “You’re weird, Arias.”
“I know. You can be Oddly Hot. I’ll be Weirdly Sexy. We’ll be a crime-fighting duo.”
In addition to their romance, there were secondary characters introduced in the form of the other survivors that I was immediately hooked on. I can't wait to get their stories; Rebecca in particular.
If you're looking for a story that's full of meaning and romance and a step outside of the typical, this is most definitely a must read.
ARC courtesy of publisher in exchange for an honest review
Find me on:
December 14, 2017
4.5 Stars
It’s like it’s all just sitting there, waiting to remind me how we can never really escape it. How the ones who got away never really get away.
Twelve years ago, the students of Long Acre high were enjoying what was supposed to be one of the happiest nights of their lives when tragedy struck. Instead of prom night being remembered for the so-so music or the questionable fashion choices, two students chose to make sure that particular prom night would go down in history as one of the worst mass school shootings in U.S. history.
No matter what had happened between them before the night of the dance, all they were to each other now were bad memories and even worse decisions
Liv Arias has come a long way since her days as the Goth queen of her high school class. After narrowly escaping the Long Acre High shooting and some dicey decisions in college, Liv’s found professional success as a web designer while doing her best to keep her personal life low key. Who has time for a relationship when you work eighty hours a week? When she agrees to be part of a documentary about the survivors of the shooting, Liv’s forced to come home for the first time in years. Running into her high school crush and secret boyfriend, Finn, is an unexpected but not unwelcome surprise.
Finn Dorsey still carries a tremendous amount of guilt for the way things ended with Liv on prom night. Unable to stand up to his father, Finn brought a “respectable” date to senior prom instead of the girl he’d already fallen for in secret, Liv, which lead to a rendezvous between the two in the janitor’s closet and Liv almost getting shot. After the shooting and finally growing a pair, Finn tells his family and the town of Long Acre sayonara and joins the FBI, thoughts of vengeance for all that was lost that night never far from his mind. Seeing Liv again after twelve long years is both a wonderful surprise and a shock to his system.
Liv needs a break from the monotony that’s become her life and to find herself creatively again. Finn needs to decompress before he goes underground for his next assignment. What starts off as a renewed friendship quickly turns into something more and the two agree to a friends with benefits arrangement that’s sure to work for both of them. Those never end badly, right?
Let me start by saying this book was nothing like I thought it would be, and I mean that in the very best way possible. Going into it, I wondered how the author could weave a believable romance story with a horrific mass shooting always lurking in the background, but Ms. Loren accomplished that and so much more. Yes, the shooting plays its own important part in the story, but more importantly is the moving on aspect and how these survivors have dealt with and continue to deal with the aftermath. Not as victims, just awesome people you want to read about. Liv and the three women she’s kept in touch with over the years post-shooting give a realistic but fun voice to the “what are we doing with our lives” question that seems to pop up after experiencing something life altering. Somehow these ladies always kept things light, though, and I loved them for it.
Liv and Finn fell hard for each other in high school and once they’re reunited, those feelings roar back to life, stronger than ever. Once the apologies are made for what happened and what should have happened, we’re left with a sweet, honest relationship with plenty of heat to spare.
As much as this story could’ve been one big excuse for the “drama for the sake of drama” tropes I’m so very tired of, The Ones That Got Away never fell into that clichéd trap. From Finn reuniting with his family after years undercover to Liv’s friend (and Finn’s aforementioned respectable prom date) finding out about Liv and Finn’s history, the book never relied on gimmicky drama to keep the story moving. As a fed up reader, I can’t tell you how happy that made me.
The Ones That Got Away is the first book in a new series, thank you sweet baby jesus, and I can’t wait to read what comes next. Fin and Liv’s story is a sweet, sexy and fun beginning. I’m already anxious to see what the author has in store for Rebecca, friend to both Finn and Liv as well as the keeper of her own secrets regarding that night. I’m already hooked.
ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
It’s like it’s all just sitting there, waiting to remind me how we can never really escape it. How the ones who got away never really get away.
Twelve years ago, the students of Long Acre high were enjoying what was supposed to be one of the happiest nights of their lives when tragedy struck. Instead of prom night being remembered for the so-so music or the questionable fashion choices, two students chose to make sure that particular prom night would go down in history as one of the worst mass school shootings in U.S. history.
No matter what had happened between them before the night of the dance, all they were to each other now were bad memories and even worse decisions
Liv Arias has come a long way since her days as the Goth queen of her high school class. After narrowly escaping the Long Acre High shooting and some dicey decisions in college, Liv’s found professional success as a web designer while doing her best to keep her personal life low key. Who has time for a relationship when you work eighty hours a week? When she agrees to be part of a documentary about the survivors of the shooting, Liv’s forced to come home for the first time in years. Running into her high school crush and secret boyfriend, Finn, is an unexpected but not unwelcome surprise.
Finn Dorsey still carries a tremendous amount of guilt for the way things ended with Liv on prom night. Unable to stand up to his father, Finn brought a “respectable” date to senior prom instead of the girl he’d already fallen for in secret, Liv, which lead to a rendezvous between the two in the janitor’s closet and Liv almost getting shot. After the shooting and finally growing a pair, Finn tells his family and the town of Long Acre sayonara and joins the FBI, thoughts of vengeance for all that was lost that night never far from his mind. Seeing Liv again after twelve long years is both a wonderful surprise and a shock to his system.
Liv needs a break from the monotony that’s become her life and to find herself creatively again. Finn needs to decompress before he goes underground for his next assignment. What starts off as a renewed friendship quickly turns into something more and the two agree to a friends with benefits arrangement that’s sure to work for both of them. Those never end badly, right?
Let me start by saying this book was nothing like I thought it would be, and I mean that in the very best way possible. Going into it, I wondered how the author could weave a believable romance story with a horrific mass shooting always lurking in the background, but Ms. Loren accomplished that and so much more. Yes, the shooting plays its own important part in the story, but more importantly is the moving on aspect and how these survivors have dealt with and continue to deal with the aftermath. Not as victims, just awesome people you want to read about. Liv and the three women she’s kept in touch with over the years post-shooting give a realistic but fun voice to the “what are we doing with our lives” question that seems to pop up after experiencing something life altering. Somehow these ladies always kept things light, though, and I loved them for it.
Liv and Finn fell hard for each other in high school and once they’re reunited, those feelings roar back to life, stronger than ever. Once the apologies are made for what happened and what should have happened, we’re left with a sweet, honest relationship with plenty of heat to spare.
As much as this story could’ve been one big excuse for the “drama for the sake of drama” tropes I’m so very tired of, The Ones That Got Away never fell into that clichéd trap. From Finn reuniting with his family after years undercover to Liv’s friend (and Finn’s aforementioned respectable prom date) finding out about Liv and Finn’s history, the book never relied on gimmicky drama to keep the story moving. As a fed up reader, I can’t tell you how happy that made me.
The Ones That Got Away is the first book in a new series, thank you sweet baby jesus, and I can’t wait to read what comes next. Fin and Liv’s story is a sweet, sexy and fun beginning. I’m already anxious to see what the author has in store for Rebecca, friend to both Finn and Liv as well as the keeper of her own secrets regarding that night. I’m already hooked.
ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
dnf
January 5, 2018DNF @ 14%
He kept her secret when they dated in school, because his family was an upper class and hers not. He brought OW as his prom-date; he abandoned the h when the shooting began to save this OW and the h was nearly killed. He was a hero after that night, and he cut the h off from his life.
In my world there is nothing he can do to redeem himself. Some people shall remain in the past forever. He was a coward.
I assume there will be a plausible explanation later, but at 14% she didn't know anything but that he left her, he abandoned her for long 12 years and... with this knowledge she kissed him?!!!! She kissed a coward, who almost got her killed?!! Who was afraid of his family and kept her as his dirty secret?!!! She really kissed 'that'?!!!!
No rating out of respect for victims.
He kept her secret when they dated in school, because his family was an upper class and hers not. He brought OW as his prom-date; he abandoned the h when the shooting began to save this OW and the h was nearly killed. He was a hero after that night, and he cut the h off from his life.
In my world there is nothing he can do to redeem himself. Some people shall remain in the past forever. He was a coward.
I assume there will be a plausible explanation later, but at 14% she didn't know anything but that he left her, he abandoned her for long 12 years and... with this knowledge she kissed him?!!!! She kissed a coward, who almost got her killed?!! Who was afraid of his family and kept her as his dirty secret?!!! She really kissed 'that'?!!!!
No rating out of respect for victims.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 12, 2018
Review available at: Under the Pages
December 8, 2017
Review @ Vanilla & Spice Books
✮✮✮ 4 STARS ✮✮✮
Doesn’t this blurb sound like a super angsty story? Yeah? Wanna know if it was? Read on!
I’ll tell you right away, this is my first Roni Loren book, another one of those authors I have been meaning to read but never gotten around until The Ones Who Got Away. It was the blurb that I found so intriguing that I wanted to jump in and give this author a chance. Not regretting it. Nope. So let me tell you a little bit about it.
Olivia is one of the survivors of a vicious attack against high school kids on their prom. Not all of the teenagers, who lived to tell the story, processed what happened completely and moved on. Both Liv and Finn live with hangups from that night that cripples their quality of life in some way, both of them fear something.
It’s like it’s all just sitting there, waiting to remind me how we can never really escape it. How the ones who got away never really get away.
Finn left a deep scar when his actions endangered Olivia, his then-girlfriend and dirty secret. When they meet again twelve years after the tragedy that changed all of their lives there is a little bit of resentment on Liv’s behalf left.They work pretty fast through that which I appreciated.
Liv is a woman who forgot, who she used to be. With the help of her friends and Finn she ventures on a journey of re-discovering her own self under the armor she built around herself. She does so with courage and resilience, is genuine, funny and gives it to you straight. When she faced her fears, moved past them I felt pride for her. After all she’d been through she still had spunk left in her and it came out exactly at the right time. In the end Liv honored the victims of the tragedy and it was respectful, sweet and touching.
Finn…ah…what a wonderful man. He is sweet, sensual, through and through decent and so, so guilt ridden. He left his hometown as a hero, having saved one of his friends during the shooting but he never felt like one. Now he is on a mission to rid the world of everything that’s evil and of course he does at the expense of his own happiness and that of Liv. I thought he was a little bit I think he got a little too stuck in his guilt and towards the end I was a leeeettle peeved at him. Good thing he made it up to Olivia.
For the first time, it hit her that Finn was going through this, too.
The rekindling of their relationship is beautiful. They both think they don’t have the capacity for more than a casual relationship but their connection is strong, intense and undeniable, the feelings they have for one another so obvious. A connection like that doesn’t just break, no matter how much time passes, and Finn and Olivia never got over each other.
She’d been pretty in high school. Quirky cool. But now she was just flat-out beautiful. And successful. And hella smart. And off-fucking-limits.
Both of them have a playful side and lots of humor which contributed to this story being a lot less angsty than I thought it would be. As heart-breaking some parts are it’s generally an uplifting story about friendship and healing.
Liv’s friends, a group of women who formed a bond after the tragedy, are phenomenal. Especially Kincaid is best-friend-material. I hope Roni Loren writes a book about her. I was so on the fence about Rebecca in the beginning, I expected drama and ugly scenes but she turned out to be amazing, a wonderful friend to both Finn and Liv.
I see at least three more books in the future of this series. The Ones Who Got Away was a well-written, captivating introduction to this series and for me to Roni Loren’s stories. I enjoyed it immensely, it had passion, romance, an intriguing story line and characters you cheer on and want to be friends with. I realized that Rebecca’s story will be next and guess who’s going to read that one? Yeah. That would be me!
Broken glass still made art. Sometimes, the most beautiful kind.
January 11, 2018
**4.5 stars**
This is a story of heartbreak, loss, an emotional second chance at love. The renew of Liv and Finn’s romance is so sweet. It’s amazing to see how after twelve years they are still completely in love with each other. There are also flashbacks here and there to the past when they were first together which makes you understand their relationship even more. Their story is bittersweet, I feel their struggles and pain but I also feel the deep love they both feel for one another.
I love a story about second chance love and this completely lived up to my expectations. Nothing was rushed, everything felt so real and I loved watching Liv and Finn's feelings come back in full force.
It is a stunning emotional read that completely caught me off guard. It is a bit rough around the edges in some places but I don't care! It made me feel happy once I finished it.
In short:
Hero 5/5 | Heroine 5/5 | Plot (Point, Originality) 5/5 | Writing Style 4/5 | Steam 3/5 | Romance 5/5 | Angst-Suspense 3/5 | Darkness 3/5 | Humor 1/5 | Secondary Characters 4/5 | Drama-Conflict 5/5 | Mystery 0/5 | Twists 4/5 | Pacing Steady | Action 3/5
This is a story of heartbreak, loss, an emotional second chance at love. The renew of Liv and Finn’s romance is so sweet. It’s amazing to see how after twelve years they are still completely in love with each other. There are also flashbacks here and there to the past when they were first together which makes you understand their relationship even more. Their story is bittersweet, I feel their struggles and pain but I also feel the deep love they both feel for one another.
I love a story about second chance love and this completely lived up to my expectations. Nothing was rushed, everything felt so real and I loved watching Liv and Finn's feelings come back in full force.
It is a stunning emotional read that completely caught me off guard. It is a bit rough around the edges in some places but I don't care! It made me feel happy once I finished it.
In short:
Hero 5/5 | Heroine 5/5 | Plot (Point, Originality) 5/5 | Writing Style 4/5 | Steam 3/5 | Romance 5/5 | Angst-Suspense 3/5 | Darkness 3/5 | Humor 1/5 | Secondary Characters 4/5 | Drama-Conflict 5/5 | Mystery 0/5 | Twists 4/5 | Pacing Steady | Action 3/5
January 26, 2019
THE ONES WHO GOT AWAY has the makings of an excellent series. Book one, of the same name, builds some of the background but focuses in on Liv and Finn. The characters, both main and side are survivors of a high school trauma and remain affected into their 30s.
The book started off with an intense bang and slowly but surely lost a bit of traction, leaving a lull. I have still rated it four stars because by 40% it had grabbed by attention fully. The story built and built to an emotional and impactful ending.
Finn and Liv have a second chance story to tell and it was believable. I found their feelings for one another powerful and feverish which fit with their traumatic past. Both characters were well developed and I liked them. Finn, in particular, made for some serious hero swoon. That cover, well let’s just say that’s brought to life. The side characters of Rebecca, Kincaid and Taryn have me intrigued from their stories.
So, I guess I wanted this to blow me away following the beginning but I did really like it. I think some of the background to build the series might have impeded the flow but I’ll be reading the next in the series and generally checking out Roni Loren’s other books.
A copy of this book was provided by the publisher through netgalley in return for a honest review.
Reviewed for Jo&IsaLoveBooks Blog.
The book started off with an intense bang and slowly but surely lost a bit of traction, leaving a lull. I have still rated it four stars because by 40% it had grabbed by attention fully. The story built and built to an emotional and impactful ending.
Finn and Liv have a second chance story to tell and it was believable. I found their feelings for one another powerful and feverish which fit with their traumatic past. Both characters were well developed and I liked them. Finn, in particular, made for some serious hero swoon. That cover, well let’s just say that’s brought to life. The side characters of Rebecca, Kincaid and Taryn have me intrigued from their stories.
So, I guess I wanted this to blow me away following the beginning but I did really like it. I think some of the background to build the series might have impeded the flow but I’ll be reading the next in the series and generally checking out Roni Loren’s other books.
A copy of this book was provided by the publisher through netgalley in return for a honest review.
Reviewed for Jo&IsaLoveBooks Blog.
January 3, 2018
4.5 stars!
My 2018 is off to a good start with The Ones Who Got Away by Roni Loren. This book packs an emotional punch, filled with complex characters and nuanced storytelling.
The Ones Who Got Away is about a group of friends who were survivors of a tragic school shooting. Finn Dorsey and Olivia Arias might have survived the shooting physically but the emotional wounds they carried had affected them profoundly. It is especially hard for both Finn and Liv because the shooting ended their burgeoning relationship back then.
I was a little wary going in because of the sensitive topic. At the same time, I was really looking forward to how that aspect of the story is handled. In my own opinion, it was handled well by the author.
The romance between Finn and Liv was beautifully done. I want to avoid spoilers as much as possible so I won't go into the details of their romance while they were in high school and why they broke up. What I do want to mention was how mature their romance is in the present. There was no unnecessary drama between these characters. There's tension, yes and obstacles they have to face but they deal with it like adults, which is really refreshing.
I love Liv so much. She's a complex character with her own dreams and wants and issues. The way she dealt with the tragedy was heartbreaking. I love LOVE her friendship with the other female survivors. Their friendship and bond was featured prominently in the book, which I adored because I'm a sucker for female friendship in books.
Finn, like Liv, is another awesome character. He has his own way of dealing with the trauma. Except for his single-minded focus and devotion to his job, he's basically stopped living. I liked how the author was able to succinctly present the hero's arc and made us root for him despite his mistakes in the past.
Overall, The Ones Who Got Away was a poignant, character driven second-chance romance that will melt your heart.
ARC provided by Sourcebook Casablanca
My 2018 is off to a good start with The Ones Who Got Away by Roni Loren. This book packs an emotional punch, filled with complex characters and nuanced storytelling.
The Ones Who Got Away is about a group of friends who were survivors of a tragic school shooting. Finn Dorsey and Olivia Arias might have survived the shooting physically but the emotional wounds they carried had affected them profoundly. It is especially hard for both Finn and Liv because the shooting ended their burgeoning relationship back then.
I was a little wary going in because of the sensitive topic. At the same time, I was really looking forward to how that aspect of the story is handled. In my own opinion, it was handled well by the author.
The romance between Finn and Liv was beautifully done. I want to avoid spoilers as much as possible so I won't go into the details of their romance while they were in high school and why they broke up. What I do want to mention was how mature their romance is in the present. There was no unnecessary drama between these characters. There's tension, yes and obstacles they have to face but they deal with it like adults, which is really refreshing.
I love Liv so much. She's a complex character with her own dreams and wants and issues. The way she dealt with the tragedy was heartbreaking. I love LOVE her friendship with the other female survivors. Their friendship and bond was featured prominently in the book, which I adored because I'm a sucker for female friendship in books.
Finn, like Liv, is another awesome character. He has his own way of dealing with the trauma. Except for his single-minded focus and devotion to his job, he's basically stopped living. I liked how the author was able to succinctly present the hero's arc and made us root for him despite his mistakes in the past.
Overall, The Ones Who Got Away was a poignant, character driven second-chance romance that will melt your heart.
ARC provided by Sourcebook Casablanca
February 14, 2019
Yeah, yeah, I just read a romance for Valentine's day. Sue me. I'm supposed to go out on a limb. Break the cast. Stretch my wings. Learn to fly...
Oh, whatever... I read a romance, all right?
The good: It does exactly what it sets out to do. Pull on the heartstrings without once touching the head. You know which head.
Add past tragedy and bad decisions, throw two scarred peeps together, have them hem and haw about keeping things light and avoiding hurt through all the attraction, have a new emotional tragedy loom on the horizon, and then, when we think it's all over, give us the sappy romantic end.
Wait... this can't be a romance, CAN IT? buahahahahaha.
The bad: There is nothing, and I mean NOTHING surprising about this novel. It's a set piece, written well, but it follows the formula perfectly.
That isn't always a bad thing, of course. People want to have their heartstrings tugged, get a huge dose of sexytime on the page, and FEEL.
This novel does that. I felt, too.
But afterward? I'm like... okay! What's next? *shrug*
This MAY have been a one-night-stand. Even so, happy V-Day!
Oh, whatever... I read a romance, all right?
The good: It does exactly what it sets out to do. Pull on the heartstrings without once touching the head. You know which head.
Add past tragedy and bad decisions, throw two scarred peeps together, have them hem and haw about keeping things light and avoiding hurt through all the attraction, have a new emotional tragedy loom on the horizon, and then, when we think it's all over, give us the sappy romantic end.
Wait... this can't be a romance, CAN IT? buahahahahaha.
The bad: There is nothing, and I mean NOTHING surprising about this novel. It's a set piece, written well, but it follows the formula perfectly.
That isn't always a bad thing, of course. People want to have their heartstrings tugged, get a huge dose of sexytime on the page, and FEEL.
This novel does that. I felt, too.
But afterward? I'm like... okay! What's next? *shrug*
This MAY have been a one-night-stand. Even so, happy V-Day!
April 5, 2018
Updated review:
This book really frustrated me. When I had read the sample from Netgalley it was enjoyable. But after reading the whole book I am disappointed.
I liked Liv and Finn. Their friendship and history with each other was well done. I didn't like the whole will they-won't they. The way they denied and choose to ignore the attraction between them was stupid. It really brought the book down for me. Also as soon as they decided to have a relationship for the most part they just continued to have sex. Honestly sometimes it felt like the only thing they did was have sex.
I really appreciated that the author successfully wrote about a school shooting. The PTSD was done well. The whole situation was pretty tragic. I really liked the relationship Liv had with the other girls. I wish they had come in more. The ending was sweet too.
Overall for the most part this book frustrated me. I'm sure other will enjoy it more than I did. I will definitely be reading Rebecca's book.
Previous Mini review:
I received this E-Sampler via the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I requested this on a whim on Netgalley. I didn't really have any expectations. Just wanted to give it a go. Man am I happy I read it! It was surprisingly enjoyable! Will definitely be getting the full copy next year.
Highly recommend.
This book really frustrated me. When I had read the sample from Netgalley it was enjoyable. But after reading the whole book I am disappointed.
I liked Liv and Finn. Their friendship and history with each other was well done. I didn't like the whole will they-won't they. The way they denied and choose to ignore the attraction between them was stupid. It really brought the book down for me. Also as soon as they decided to have a relationship for the most part they just continued to have sex. Honestly sometimes it felt like the only thing they did was have sex.
I really appreciated that the author successfully wrote about a school shooting. The PTSD was done well. The whole situation was pretty tragic. I really liked the relationship Liv had with the other girls. I wish they had come in more. The ending was sweet too.
Overall for the most part this book frustrated me. I'm sure other will enjoy it more than I did. I will definitely be reading Rebecca's book.
Previous Mini review:
I received this E-Sampler via the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I requested this on a whim on Netgalley. I didn't really have any expectations. Just wanted to give it a go. Man am I happy I read it! It was surprisingly enjoyable! Will definitely be getting the full copy next year.
Highly recommend.
January 5, 2018
★ 4,5 stars!!! ★
This book was amazing!!! This is the reason why I keep reading and looking for stories that make me feel all kinds of feelings.
I loved this book so much!
“Love never ends. But fear could.”
Eu não tenho palavras pra descrever o quanto essa história me envolveu e me tocou.
Eu simplesmente amei o enredo e a forma como a autora conduziu a história.
Foi impossível não me apaixonar pela Liv e pelo Finn e a trajetória dos dois.
Assim como foi impossível não me abalar quando a tragédia que os separou é relatada.
Foi de partir o coração, foi devastador e meu pobre coração fica apertadinho ao pensar que vemos casos assim nos noticiários.
Só sei que senti e muito! Essa leitura foi surpeendente e será difícil esquece-la rapidamente.
“The fractured pieces of her world had finally landed in just the right place, creating a picture she’d never imagined. One that took her breath away.
Broken glass still made art.
Sometimes, the most beautiful kind.”
Adorei a narrativa mesmo sendo em terceira pessoa. Adorei a escrita da autora e apesar de ser o primeiro livro que leio dela, não será o último, pois estou ansiosa pelo próximo livro.
Curiosa pra saber mais sobre a Rebecca.
Se recomendo?
MUITO! MUITO! MUITO!!!
❤️❤️❤️
This book was amazing!!! This is the reason why I keep reading and looking for stories that make me feel all kinds of feelings.
I loved this book so much!
“Love never ends. But fear could.”
Eu não tenho palavras pra descrever o quanto essa história me envolveu e me tocou.
Eu simplesmente amei o enredo e a forma como a autora conduziu a história.
Foi impossível não me apaixonar pela Liv e pelo Finn e a trajetória dos dois.
Assim como foi impossível não me abalar quando a tragédia que os separou é relatada.
Foi de partir o coração, foi devastador e meu pobre coração fica apertadinho ao pensar que vemos casos assim nos noticiários.
Só sei que senti e muito! Essa leitura foi surpeendente e será difícil esquece-la rapidamente.
“The fractured pieces of her world had finally landed in just the right place, creating a picture she’d never imagined. One that took her breath away.
Broken glass still made art.
Sometimes, the most beautiful kind.”
Adorei a narrativa mesmo sendo em terceira pessoa. Adorei a escrita da autora e apesar de ser o primeiro livro que leio dela, não será o último, pois estou ansiosa pelo próximo livro.
Curiosa pra saber mais sobre a Rebecca.
Se recomendo?
MUITO! MUITO! MUITO!!!
❤️❤️❤️
February 21, 2020
BOOK REVIEW
When I started reading this story I thought it was just a second chance contemporary romance. It was. But it was a lot more than that, too. This story is about reminding your adult self what you dreamed about becoming when you were young. How you set out your life goals and dreams and somehow life makes you forget them and just settle for what's convenient and easy.
I loved the leading characters of this story, Liv and Finn. They deserved their HEA. But I didn't expect to love so much Olivia's girl friends and I'm so glad that the author decided to give them their own story as well.
I received an excerpt of this book (just the first 3 chapters) via NetGalley. Content might change upon edition.
What a tease this small sample of the book is. Just a small pick to whet our appetite and leave us starving for more. I can't hide the fact that reading the summary of the story left me very much intrigued because I really am a sucker for second-chance novels.
"On one hand, this felt comfortable. They'd always talked easily with each other. But at the same time, they were strangers now. Strangers who had this big, breathing beast between them."
The chemistry between Liv and Finn is palpable, it vibrates around them, there is too much history and unresolved matters between them. I literally can't wait to get my hands on the book once it's published.
{It just came to me - as I was google-eye-staring at the amazing cover - if there'll be a kissing-in-the-rain-a'la-notebook scene. Boy, it's a long way till January...}
When I started reading this story I thought it was just a second chance contemporary romance. It was. But it was a lot more than that, too. This story is about reminding your adult self what you dreamed about becoming when you were young. How you set out your life goals and dreams and somehow life makes you forget them and just settle for what's convenient and easy.
I loved the leading characters of this story, Liv and Finn. They deserved their HEA. But I didn't expect to love so much Olivia's girl friends and I'm so glad that the author decided to give them their own story as well.
I received an excerpt of this book (just the first 3 chapters) via NetGalley. Content might change upon edition.
What a tease this small sample of the book is. Just a small pick to whet our appetite and leave us starving for more. I can't hide the fact that reading the summary of the story left me very much intrigued because I really am a sucker for second-chance novels.
"On one hand, this felt comfortable. They'd always talked easily with each other. But at the same time, they were strangers now. Strangers who had this big, breathing beast between them."
The chemistry between Liv and Finn is palpable, it vibrates around them, there is too much history and unresolved matters between them. I literally can't wait to get my hands on the book once it's published.
{It just came to me - as I was google-eye-staring at the amazing cover - if there'll be a kissing-in-the-rain-a'la-notebook scene. Boy, it's a long way till January...}
May 27, 2018
Coward Hero Alert
Maybe I'm the minority here but I didn't like this book. Hero is Rich 💰, Heroine is Poor. But both like each other so they continue their relation (hookups) in secret. Meanwhile hero gets to keep a girlfriend. And at Prom he goes with his gf😖. When theirs a tragedy that night he SAVES his gf and not the heroine. Years later the MCs meet again. So what happens now? The book starts here. But for me I'm done. Couldn't connect with any characters.
I don't like coward guys. I'm sorry. When the tragedy strikes he went on to save his gf leaving the heroine. No...just No!!!! 'Hard times will always reveal true friends'. Couldn't agree with this more.
Maybe I'm the minority here but I didn't like this book. Hero is Rich 💰, Heroine is Poor. But both like each other so they continue their relation (hookups) in secret. Meanwhile hero gets to keep a girlfriend. And at Prom he goes with his gf😖. When theirs a tragedy that night he SAVES his gf and not the heroine. Years later the MCs meet again. So what happens now? The book starts here. But for me I'm done. Couldn't connect with any characters.
I don't like coward guys. I'm sorry. When the tragedy strikes he went on to save his gf leaving the heroine. No...just No!!!! 'Hard times will always reveal true friends'. Couldn't agree with this more.
January 6, 2018
In book time, that took me forever.
This was yet another book that could be broken up in thirds. Roni Loren was at her best when dealing with the emotional history of the characters, including the healing of the trauma of their high school shooting.
What wasn't so great was the relationship part. It was rushed and sex-based. I'm not sure people apart for 12 years can pick up so exactly where they left off considering high school secret relationships are a fair bit different than those at 30. There were none of those "moments" I live for in their relationship. There was angst, healing=banging=love, and angst.
This is incredibly unfortunate because I felt the parts that were strong were really strong. You could feel for the characters. The descriptions were so vivid in parts I felt Liv's grief. If the characters had gotten to build their relationship and know each other just a little bit, even fight, this would've been so much better. The friendship between the four women was a highlight as well.
I'll definitely continue the series though.
This was yet another book that could be broken up in thirds. Roni Loren was at her best when dealing with the emotional history of the characters, including the healing of the trauma of their high school shooting.
What wasn't so great was the relationship part. It was rushed and sex-based. I'm not sure people apart for 12 years can pick up so exactly where they left off considering high school secret relationships are a fair bit different than those at 30. There were none of those "moments" I live for in their relationship. There was angst, healing=banging=love, and angst.
This is incredibly unfortunate because I felt the parts that were strong were really strong. You could feel for the characters. The descriptions were so vivid in parts I felt Liv's grief. If the characters had gotten to build their relationship and know each other just a little bit, even fight, this would've been so much better. The friendship between the four women was a highlight as well.
I'll definitely continue the series though.
January 6, 2018
Even after twelve years, she couldn't bear to look at a list of names that should've been in a graduation program instead of etched onto a memorial.
When I read the sneak peek for THE ONES WHO GOT AWAY, I was immediately hooked. Though the story centers around a highschool shooting this isn't about the event itself. It's about what comes after for those who managed to walk away.
.. they'd already settled. They'd been given this second chance when others hadn't, they'd settled for good enough, for getting by, for not making waves.
Loren's writing was intense, moving, powerful. The issues of loss, PTSD, anxiety, coping mechanisms.. everything was touched on but the message behind the story itself was a beautiful one : live your life to the fullest. Embrace what scares you. Be passionate. Do things that make you happy. Open yourselves to love. And in the case of our lead characters, reconnect and see what would have been possible if not for the moment that briefly interrupted their lives and sent them on a very different course.
"Maybe you could use an old friend who knows the original colour of the paint beneath all those layers life has slapped on you. Maybe I could, too."
I enjoyed so much of this story. I thought the beginning half of the book was very strong as both Liv and Finn navigate not only who they are twelve years after tragedy, but who they want to be. What they want from life. And whether there's a chance for something between them. That said while I could absolutely respect the whys of Finn's choice of career and the motivations behind it, I felt the drama of it kind of took away from the story. And in addition gave the story a slightly overblown element of drama, too. It's kind of hard to describe.
"It's all just sitting there, waiting to remind me how we can never really escape it. How the ones who got away never really got away. Those sick bastards changed us -- have their fingerprints all over our lives -- and it pisses me the hell off."
I had really high hopes for this book (which I now understand is going to be series, and also, yes!) and felt the first half definitely lived upto it. I just wish it hadn't lost some of the traction along the way. But it's still a great premise and I look forward to where the rest of these characters go in their journeys to moving on from such a horrific and life-changing event.
"We're dating."
"We're dating?"
"Yes. If that works or you. I have no desire to share you this summer. I'm morally loose but very traditional."
There was a good amount of chemistry mixed up with playful flirty banter and of course Loren is no stranger to sexy times. Add to that all the emotional layers and I think this'll be a big hit for a lot of people. I just thought I'd feel a little more after reading a few of Loren's novellas and from my own expectations of how I thought this particular story would play out. Despite the lower-than-I-thought-it-would-be rating, however, I would still recommend and I will definitely be reading on.
3.5 "I've been in an exclusive relationship with myself for a few years. I'm amazing in bed" stars
** I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher (thank you!) in exchange for an honest review. **
When I read the sneak peek for THE ONES WHO GOT AWAY, I was immediately hooked. Though the story centers around a highschool shooting this isn't about the event itself. It's about what comes after for those who managed to walk away.
.. they'd already settled. They'd been given this second chance when others hadn't, they'd settled for good enough, for getting by, for not making waves.
Loren's writing was intense, moving, powerful. The issues of loss, PTSD, anxiety, coping mechanisms.. everything was touched on but the message behind the story itself was a beautiful one : live your life to the fullest. Embrace what scares you. Be passionate. Do things that make you happy. Open yourselves to love. And in the case of our lead characters, reconnect and see what would have been possible if not for the moment that briefly interrupted their lives and sent them on a very different course.
"Maybe you could use an old friend who knows the original colour of the paint beneath all those layers life has slapped on you. Maybe I could, too."
I enjoyed so much of this story. I thought the beginning half of the book was very strong as both Liv and Finn navigate not only who they are twelve years after tragedy, but who they want to be. What they want from life. And whether there's a chance for something between them. That said while I could absolutely respect the whys of Finn's choice of career and the motivations behind it, I felt the drama of it kind of took away from the story. And in addition gave the story a slightly overblown element of drama, too. It's kind of hard to describe.
"It's all just sitting there, waiting to remind me how we can never really escape it. How the ones who got away never really got away. Those sick bastards changed us -- have their fingerprints all over our lives -- and it pisses me the hell off."
I had really high hopes for this book (which I now understand is going to be series, and also, yes!) and felt the first half definitely lived upto it. I just wish it hadn't lost some of the traction along the way. But it's still a great premise and I look forward to where the rest of these characters go in their journeys to moving on from such a horrific and life-changing event.
"We're dating."
"We're dating?"
"Yes. If that works or you. I have no desire to share you this summer. I'm morally loose but very traditional."
There was a good amount of chemistry mixed up with playful flirty banter and of course Loren is no stranger to sexy times. Add to that all the emotional layers and I think this'll be a big hit for a lot of people. I just thought I'd feel a little more after reading a few of Loren's novellas and from my own expectations of how I thought this particular story would play out. Despite the lower-than-I-thought-it-would-be rating, however, I would still recommend and I will definitely be reading on.
3.5 "I've been in an exclusive relationship with myself for a few years. I'm amazing in bed" stars
** I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher (thank you!) in exchange for an honest review. **
January 2, 2018
I read the ARC of this book at a very difficult time, weeks after two mass shootings in the U.S. and so it tore my heart out from the start. Twelve years after a mass shooting at their high school prom several classmates who survived are reunited for a documentary about the incident and where they are today. While the incident cast a heavy shadow on this book and there is no doubt all the characters in it were affected by it in some way, author Roni Loren managed to temper those heavy moments with hope, laughter, and the message to live your life without apologies. The Ones That Got Away was a brilliant and hopeful love story and worthy of being made into a movie.
There were really two parts to this story one was the romance between Liv and Finn who had a secret love affair back in high school and the other was the story of four women who became friends after the incident while in group therapy. I honestly can’t say which part of the story I liked the best because they were both special and expertly written. I’ll start with the four women; as teens they really didn’t travel in the same social circles and weren’t friends, but the tragedy they survived and the feelings they shared during their therapy bonded them together.
Together again after twelve years, they open a time capsule of letters that bring forth a wave of emotions and have each of them reassessing their lives. This leads to Liv making some decisions and revisiting her relationship with Finn, but Finn has some guilt stemming from the incident and the danger he feels he placed Liv in on that fateful night.
Over the course of the summer Finn and Liv reacquaint themselves with each other and get to know the adults they’ve become, they share a lot and while they are both counting down to when Finn will have to leave again for his job, they both fall hopelessly in love again. During their time together they deal with their feelings from the incident, their pain, fears, and the different roads they took after high school but Ms. Loren softens that with flirty, sexy fun taking what could have been an extremely heavy story and making it a beautiful romance.
While The Ones That Got Away featured a reunited lovers story, this book was a thought provoking, emotional, and hopeful story of loss, love, and the power to keep going after a tragedy strikes. I can’t wait to see what Ms. Loren has in store for the other three women.
January 31, 2018
This book was the kind of book that made me forget about the messages I received on my phone! It caught me and it didn't let me go. 5 stars without a doubt!
Liv was a badass! I liked her attitude so much. She changed everything, she learned how to take the bull by the horns and she was provocative too. I loved her relationship with Finn – the hot cop. It was so original. Two souls which connected after 12 years, two hearts that craved for each other ever afer all this time, even though they had to face the ghosts from the past.
Rebecca, Kincaid and Taryn are the kind of friends any girl would want. The sad part is that they got to be a group of friends (Liv included here too) after going through a long-lasting tragedy.
I was 57% in, and Sex on fire by Kings of Leon started. My playlist was insane! It was the perfect song for chapter 15. It felt like destiny! I swear it!
And the ending was so cute! Finn was a really good guy and his actions spoke for themselves. It was nice to read a book without clichés. A book based on how to move on from a tragedy that marked your life, your decisions and your love life. I should’ve read this book sooner! But better late than never.
And of course, I found a lot of quotes I had to share, so enjoy:
"Back then, she'd already been a subscriber to the church of sarcasm."
"The only familiar thing was the sharp, undeniable kick of awareness she's always had anytime the guy was around."
"He remembered that smile. He used to be able to put it there."
"Because people you don't have to fake it for are hard to find."
"You don't need a babysitter, but maybe you could use an old friend who knows the original color of the paint beneath all those layers life has slapped on you."
"But when she'd talked about movies and making him laugh and just hanging out, it had leached into his blood like morphine."
"She'd poked a starved lion. Maybe it wasn't the smartest thing, but she knew down to her bones that he wouldn't harm her - and maybe part of her wanted the ferocity."
"They were the ones who got away, only to be chased for years after. By the memories. By the anger. By the fear."
ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange of an honest review.
Liv was a badass! I liked her attitude so much. She changed everything, she learned how to take the bull by the horns and she was provocative too. I loved her relationship with Finn – the hot cop. It was so original. Two souls which connected after 12 years, two hearts that craved for each other ever afer all this time, even though they had to face the ghosts from the past.
Rebecca, Kincaid and Taryn are the kind of friends any girl would want. The sad part is that they got to be a group of friends (Liv included here too) after going through a long-lasting tragedy.
I was 57% in, and Sex on fire by Kings of Leon started. My playlist was insane! It was the perfect song for chapter 15. It felt like destiny! I swear it!
And the ending was so cute! Finn was a really good guy and his actions spoke for themselves. It was nice to read a book without clichés. A book based on how to move on from a tragedy that marked your life, your decisions and your love life. I should’ve read this book sooner! But better late than never.
And of course, I found a lot of quotes I had to share, so enjoy:
"Back then, she'd already been a subscriber to the church of sarcasm."
"The only familiar thing was the sharp, undeniable kick of awareness she's always had anytime the guy was around."
"He remembered that smile. He used to be able to put it there."
"Because people you don't have to fake it for are hard to find."
"You don't need a babysitter, but maybe you could use an old friend who knows the original color of the paint beneath all those layers life has slapped on you."
"But when she'd talked about movies and making him laugh and just hanging out, it had leached into his blood like morphine."
"She'd poked a starved lion. Maybe it wasn't the smartest thing, but she knew down to her bones that he wouldn't harm her - and maybe part of her wanted the ferocity."
"They were the ones who got away, only to be chased for years after. By the memories. By the anger. By the fear."
ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange of an honest review.
February 22, 2020
4.5 stars
Before I get into my review, I have to mention that this novel contains graphic content with the following trigger warnings for: gun violence, school shootings, death, depression, anxiety, and PTSD. There may in fact be more trigger warnings but these were the ones that stuck out to me.
Now that I've mentioned the content warning, I will say that I wasn't sure how much I was going to like this novel. I just couldn't imagine a romance being incorporated with such a difficult event (even if the main story was many years later). It brought me out of my reading 'comfort zone' for sure.
With that being said, I really did like this story. I liked the characters, their romance, the chemistry, and I thought that the story was done appropriately considering it's a pretty difficult topic.
It definitely was an emotional novel so don't go into this expecting a lighthearted read but I think the story was more powerful based on that emotion.
After reading this novel, I'm very interested in not only continuing this series but also reading more written by this author.
Before I get into my review, I have to mention that this novel contains graphic content with the following trigger warnings for: gun violence, school shootings, death, depression, anxiety, and PTSD. There may in fact be more trigger warnings but these were the ones that stuck out to me.
Now that I've mentioned the content warning, I will say that I wasn't sure how much I was going to like this novel. I just couldn't imagine a romance being incorporated with such a difficult event (even if the main story was many years later). It brought me out of my reading 'comfort zone' for sure.
With that being said, I really did like this story. I liked the characters, their romance, the chemistry, and I thought that the story was done appropriately considering it's a pretty difficult topic.
It definitely was an emotional novel so don't go into this expecting a lighthearted read but I think the story was more powerful based on that emotion.
After reading this novel, I'm very interested in not only continuing this series but also reading more written by this author.
June 14, 2022
Nuestra reseña en A la cama con... un libro
Uffffff, madre mía, vaya viaje ha sido este libro!
Tengo que reposarlo un poquito antes de hacerle la reseña pero me va a costar un montón sacarme a estos personajes y su historia de mi cabeza. Tenía muchísimas ganas de leerlo y ha superado con creces mis expectativas. Ni las pegas que le puedo sacar son suficientes para ponerle una nota más baja porque me ha resultado una lectura estupenda que apenas era capaz de dejar de leer y a cuyos protagonistas no me podía quitar de la cabeza. Una gozada.
Uffffff, madre mía, vaya viaje ha sido este libro!
Tengo que reposarlo un poquito antes de hacerle la reseña pero me va a costar un montón sacarme a estos personajes y su historia de mi cabeza. Tenía muchísimas ganas de leerlo y ha superado con creces mis expectativas. Ni las pegas que le puedo sacar son suficientes para ponerle una nota más baja porque me ha resultado una lectura estupenda que apenas era capaz de dejar de leer y a cuyos protagonistas no me podía quitar de la cabeza. Una gozada.
August 2, 2017
4,5 Stars!
In the past, I had only watched a few documentaries regarding school shootings and I even remember vaguely, as an 8year-old the Columbine massacre making headlines all over the world. But, The Ones Who Got Away doesn't deal with a shooting, no, it dives right into the aftermath of such a tragedy.
The pain, the fear, the regrets. The hero, the victims, the survivors. What happens when in an interview about a documentary recounting the worst day of your life, you meet again The One Who Got Away from you? Literally, Finn left Liv alone at the worst possible moment but it wasn't because he wanted to nor with any malice. It just happened and that could have cost her life.
Now 12 years later, after that fateful event, they meet again.
A letter in a time capsule Liv opens with her other three friends, all survivors, will make her reevaluate her choices and what her life turned into. Throw Finn to the mix, the boy-she-loved-turned-torment-man, and nothing can stay the same anymore. Liv masked her pain and dealt with it in many ways, in her college years by throwing caution to the wind and later on by leading a mundane n0-name life.
None of those tactics worked though and didn't help her move on until she found Finn... Finn who feels guilty towards Liv about so many things. Who devoted his life to finding and destroying people who made that school shooting possible. Finn who when it's all said and done will have to leave again by the end of the summer.
But by the end of the summer, nothing will be the same. This book is a romance at heart, it delts with a vicious crime right away but it's still funny, flirty, sexy and playful. I enjoyed it immensely and couldn't put it down and the few things that bothered me can be easily fixed because the book has six until its release date and that's plenty of time to make small adjustments.
All in all, I really loved this book, yes I wanted it to be a little darker but that's not its theme and I totally respect that. Although the pain lingers and it's evident throughout the narration, in the end, the hopeful message it's loud and clear. The characters are where they should be and there is even a silent promise for more.
THOUGHTS ABOUT THE BOOK
- I adored the past scenes, and actually wanted a little more of their initial story.
- The epilogue is great.
- I wanted more scenes with them as a couple.
- Dual POV.
- The writing for the biggest part flowed with ease.
- I was heartbroken with their story. And I couldn't deal with how he left her.
- I wanted some more
- The author proposes shelter-adoption when a character expresses the want for a dog and I always appreciate that.
- I liked all the main characters.
- Her family, on the other hand, was in the wrong. Plain and simple. After such a tragedy they still guilt-trip her on doing their bidding.
- There is also a continuity thing there with her mother's reaction towards her before and after, but let's just say that's what Liv needed to believe in the end.
- I loved Liv's exhibition.
- The banter between them was great, it gave depth to their relationship and really funny.
- The scene where Liv caught Finn having fun with himself was awesome...
- And now I have to praise those three other women.
- Kincaid is incredible, I want her as my best friend.
- Rebecca, surprised me so much!!! She is also amazing. The author did a great job with her because it could easily turn ugly there.
- Taryn, was very cute but I need much more time with her. The epilogue though gives her character so much more depth.
- Those four girls bonded at the same time Liv and Finn were torn apart, by the same disaster.
- I have a feeling this will turn into a series. Rebecca has a secret I want to know..
ARC provided via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
In the past, I had only watched a few documentaries regarding school shootings and I even remember vaguely, as an 8year-old the Columbine massacre making headlines all over the world. But, The Ones Who Got Away doesn't deal with a shooting, no, it dives right into the aftermath of such a tragedy.
The pain, the fear, the regrets. The hero, the victims, the survivors. What happens when in an interview about a documentary recounting the worst day of your life, you meet again The One Who Got Away from you? Literally, Finn left Liv alone at the worst possible moment but it wasn't because he wanted to nor with any malice. It just happened and that could have cost her life.
Now 12 years later, after that fateful event, they meet again.
A letter in a time capsule Liv opens with her other three friends, all survivors, will make her reevaluate her choices and what her life turned into. Throw Finn to the mix, the boy-she-loved-turned-torment-man, and nothing can stay the same anymore. Liv masked her pain and dealt with it in many ways, in her college years by throwing caution to the wind and later on by leading a mundane n0-name life.
None of those tactics worked though and didn't help her move on until she found Finn... Finn who feels guilty towards Liv about so many things. Who devoted his life to finding and destroying people who made that school shooting possible. Finn who when it's all said and done will have to leave again by the end of the summer.
But by the end of the summer, nothing will be the same. This book is a romance at heart, it delts with a vicious crime right away but it's still funny, flirty, sexy and playful. I enjoyed it immensely and couldn't put it down and the few things that bothered me can be easily fixed because the book has six until its release date and that's plenty of time to make small adjustments.
All in all, I really loved this book, yes I wanted it to be a little darker but that's not its theme and I totally respect that. Although the pain lingers and it's evident throughout the narration, in the end, the hopeful message it's loud and clear. The characters are where they should be and there is even a silent promise for more.
THOUGHTS ABOUT THE BOOK
- I adored the past scenes, and actually wanted a little more of their initial story.
- The epilogue is great.
- I wanted more scenes with them as a couple.
- Dual POV.
- The writing for the biggest part flowed with ease.
- I was heartbroken with their story. And I couldn't deal with how he left her.
- I wanted some more
- The author proposes shelter-adoption when a character expresses the want for a dog and I always appreciate that.
- I liked all the main characters.
- Her family, on the other hand, was in the wrong. Plain and simple. After such a tragedy they still guilt-trip her on doing their bidding.
- There is also a continuity thing there with her mother's reaction towards her before and after, but let's just say that's what Liv needed to believe in the end.
- I loved Liv's exhibition.
- The banter between them was great, it gave depth to their relationship and really funny.
- The scene where Liv caught Finn having fun with himself was awesome...
- And now I have to praise those three other women.
- Kincaid is incredible, I want her as my best friend.
- Rebecca, surprised me so much!!! She is also amazing. The author did a great job with her because it could easily turn ugly there.
- Taryn, was very cute but I need much more time with her. The epilogue though gives her character so much more depth.
- Those four girls bonded at the same time Liv and Finn were torn apart, by the same disaster.
- I have a feeling this will turn into a series. Rebecca has a secret I want to know..
ARC provided via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
November 18, 2017
Liv and Finn had a secret romance back in high school that was obliterated when a school shooting tears their lives apart. There’s more to their story than what was made public, a reality that hurt both Liv and Finn. Twelve years later they are reunited with the other survivors, and the old raging chemistry they felt before is stirred up again, but can they get past the damage the shooting and their actions caused?
The setup here sounded amazing to me, and I’m a huge fan of Roni Loren’s work (her erotica), but somehow Liv and Finn’s romance and story didn’t really touch me. I did enjoy the story overall, but I didn’t feel the yearning and connection that was supposedly there between them. Also, I felt the issue keeping them apart in the long term, (Finn’s job situation) wasn’t as big of a deal as Finn was making of it. I think when you fall in love with “the one” you find a way to make it work. What about all the wives who live without their husbands while they’re off serving a tour in the military? They find a way, and I thought Finn could somehow adjust his duties, so they weren’t apart, so I was a bit frustrated when it took so long for him to clue in on the possibilities.
I haven’t read anything from Roni Loren I haven’t loved, so I think this might’ve been a fluke that I didn’t love it, or possibly my reading mood at the time. I’m still a huge fan of her writing and I look forward to the next in this series, Rebecca’s story in The Ones You Can’t Forget. I felt bad for her!
A copy was kindly provided by Sourcebooks Casablanca via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
The setup here sounded amazing to me, and I’m a huge fan of Roni Loren’s work (her erotica), but somehow Liv and Finn’s romance and story didn’t really touch me. I did enjoy the story overall, but I didn’t feel the yearning and connection that was supposedly there between them. Also, I felt the issue keeping them apart in the long term, (Finn’s job situation) wasn’t as big of a deal as Finn was making of it. I think when you fall in love with “the one” you find a way to make it work. What about all the wives who live without their husbands while they’re off serving a tour in the military? They find a way, and I thought Finn could somehow adjust his duties, so they weren’t apart, so I was a bit frustrated when it took so long for him to clue in on the possibilities.
I haven’t read anything from Roni Loren I haven’t loved, so I think this might’ve been a fluke that I didn’t love it, or possibly my reading mood at the time. I’m still a huge fan of her writing and I look forward to the next in this series, Rebecca’s story in The Ones You Can’t Forget. I felt bad for her!
A copy was kindly provided by Sourcebooks Casablanca via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
June 1, 2018
2.5 Stars
The Ones Who Got Away was an okay story. I enjoyed the friendship between Liv and her girlfriends. The trauma Liv and Finn were dealing with since they were eighteen was something I would have like to be explored further. They both had psychological scars especially Liv. Their lives were changed irrevocably. School shootings is pretty relevant in today’s world and Roni Loren definitely captured the horrific parts of it. I felt the fear that Liv and Finn had in those final moments and also how it had affected their lives in the present day.
Their relationship was great and there were many sweet moments but I struggled with their connection since I felt their chemistry lacking. The next book is Rebecca’s and maybe I’m going to give that a try.
The Ones Who Got Away was an okay story. I enjoyed the friendship between Liv and her girlfriends. The trauma Liv and Finn were dealing with since they were eighteen was something I would have like to be explored further. They both had psychological scars especially Liv. Their lives were changed irrevocably. School shootings is pretty relevant in today’s world and Roni Loren definitely captured the horrific parts of it. I felt the fear that Liv and Finn had in those final moments and also how it had affected their lives in the present day.
Their relationship was great and there were many sweet moments but I struggled with their connection since I felt their chemistry lacking. The next book is Rebecca’s and maybe I’m going to give that a try.
January 3, 2018
4.5 Stars
Both uplifting and heart-rending, this book was unputdownable. Roni Loren treads thoughtfully with a weighty subject, school shootings, and the result is a thought-provoking and emotional read.
The survivors of the Long Acre school shooting have returned for a difficult reunion, a documentary about the shooting and "The Ones Who Got Away". Olivia and Finn, two survivors with an unresolved past, haven't seen each other in more than a decade. When they run into each other, it knocks emotions loose that have been tightly held for years.
Taking the reader from present to past, we learn the devastating events of the day that changed their lives and how certain choices, secrets, and things left unsaid can hurt, even change the way you see yourself and how you are willing to walk through life.
I adored Olivia and Finn and couldn't help but root for them as they battled their personal demons. The secondary characters injected levity and a bit of fun—especially Kincaid—while others added a bit of tension. And, while I might have been a bit worried at points that the story could dive into an easy trope or two to drive the story, I needn't have been. This author didn't take that route, thankfully, and what we get is great storytelling.
If you are looking for a poignant, emotional second chance romance, I highly recommend The Ones Who Got Away. I will definitely be reading the next in the series.
Both uplifting and heart-rending, this book was unputdownable. Roni Loren treads thoughtfully with a weighty subject, school shootings, and the result is a thought-provoking and emotional read.
The survivors of the Long Acre school shooting have returned for a difficult reunion, a documentary about the shooting and "The Ones Who Got Away". Olivia and Finn, two survivors with an unresolved past, haven't seen each other in more than a decade. When they run into each other, it knocks emotions loose that have been tightly held for years.
Taking the reader from present to past, we learn the devastating events of the day that changed their lives and how certain choices, secrets, and things left unsaid can hurt, even change the way you see yourself and how you are willing to walk through life.
I adored Olivia and Finn and couldn't help but root for them as they battled their personal demons. The secondary characters injected levity and a bit of fun—especially Kincaid—while others added a bit of tension. And, while I might have been a bit worried at points that the story could dive into an easy trope or two to drive the story, I needn't have been. This author didn't take that route, thankfully, and what we get is great storytelling.
If you are looking for a poignant, emotional second chance romance, I highly recommend The Ones Who Got Away. I will definitely be reading the next in the series.
no-way-jose
February 13, 2018Horrible, horrible plot. Despising hero.
I am so shocked at this “romance and at the heroine’s forgiveness “ ( this is definitely a new one- leaving the woman you supposedly love to almost die in a shooting to save ow).
I am actually laughing at the absurdity of the situation. I am going crazy? 😩
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I am so shocked at this “romance and at the heroine’s forgiveness “ ( this is definitely a new one- leaving the woman you supposedly love to almost die in a shooting to save ow).
I am actually laughing at the absurdity of the situation. I am going crazy? 😩
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 21, 2017
I just read a sneak peek of this book, a few chapters, and I cannot wait to see how the story will further unfold. What I read was very intriguing, well written, and there was an underlying sense of mystery throughout. The story seems to have a lot of potential, I am very interested to see what Mrs. Loren has done with it.
Too bad we gotta wait till January for the full book.
Too bad we gotta wait till January for the full book.
March 22, 2021
This book is surprisingly full of racialized microaggressions for no reason. I fully gave up on this book however when the Latina heroine was bartering orgasms for time willingly spent with the hero's racist white family. Literally why?
March 16, 2021
"Finn and Liv. They were survivors. They were the ones who got away, only to be chased for years after. By the memories. By the anger. By the fear."
I guess I'll start by saying: Read the synopsis of this book before deciding if this is for you. The Ones Who Got Away revolves entirely around the aftermath of a high school shooting. The beginning is intense, and one description is particularly graphic. While the second half of the book has a more hopeful feel and focuses less on the actual tragedy, it's still there, weighing heavy on these characters, so please be aware if this may be triggering for you.
The Ones Who Got Away is about Finn and Olivia, old high school flames who are reunited years after a tragic event tore them apart. Finn is tortured, suffering from a hero complex and vowing to avenge those responsible for putting illegal guns in the hands of violent teens. Olivia is stuck in a rut, terrified to look back but also scared to move forward after all she went through. But once they realize they never stopped loving each other, they must decide if they can finally heal together, or if their lives will forever be ruined by the event that seems to define them.
"She’d been one of the lucky ones. And for the first time, the full weight of what that meant settled on her. She could still change her story. There was no ending on her pages yet. No name etched in stone."
What I loved:
❤️ Finn: Give me a tortured hero any day
❤️ Olivia: Always here for a heroine who is unashamed of being herself, who sticks up for herself, who goes for what she wants
❤️ The exploration of PTSD: We mourn those lost in tragedies like the one in this book, but we don't always stop and think about the survivors, the ones who become aftermath, the ones who will never be the same. While each character in this book handles their grief and their guilt differently, the message is still the same: even the survivors die a little inside, but they must keep on living. My heart broke for Finn and Olivia and all they went through, but I loved seeing them fight to overcome their fears.
"We’re supposed to move on, but not too much. Be happy but not too happy.
What I wanted more of:
🔴 The friendship between Olivia, Taryn, Kincaid, and Rebecca: In the few scenes when these four are together, their relationship shines bright in the midst of gloom and sadness. Since each woman gets her own book in this series, I would have loved the chance to get to know them a little more. (But I guess the joke is really on me because now I'm definitely going to buy the rest of the books and read each girl's story.)
The Ones Who Got Away is not an easy read, but it was well worth the tears I shed. Oh, and the romance was obviously on point.
4.5/5 🌟
I guess I'll start by saying: Read the synopsis of this book before deciding if this is for you. The Ones Who Got Away revolves entirely around the aftermath of a high school shooting. The beginning is intense, and one description is particularly graphic. While the second half of the book has a more hopeful feel and focuses less on the actual tragedy, it's still there, weighing heavy on these characters, so please be aware if this may be triggering for you.
The Ones Who Got Away is about Finn and Olivia, old high school flames who are reunited years after a tragic event tore them apart. Finn is tortured, suffering from a hero complex and vowing to avenge those responsible for putting illegal guns in the hands of violent teens. Olivia is stuck in a rut, terrified to look back but also scared to move forward after all she went through. But once they realize they never stopped loving each other, they must decide if they can finally heal together, or if their lives will forever be ruined by the event that seems to define them.
"She’d been one of the lucky ones. And for the first time, the full weight of what that meant settled on her. She could still change her story. There was no ending on her pages yet. No name etched in stone."
What I loved:
❤️ Finn: Give me a tortured hero any day
❤️ Olivia: Always here for a heroine who is unashamed of being herself, who sticks up for herself, who goes for what she wants
❤️ The exploration of PTSD: We mourn those lost in tragedies like the one in this book, but we don't always stop and think about the survivors, the ones who become aftermath, the ones who will never be the same. While each character in this book handles their grief and their guilt differently, the message is still the same: even the survivors die a little inside, but they must keep on living. My heart broke for Finn and Olivia and all they went through, but I loved seeing them fight to overcome their fears.
"We’re supposed to move on, but not too much. Be happy but not too happy.
What I wanted more of:
🔴 The friendship between Olivia, Taryn, Kincaid, and Rebecca: In the few scenes when these four are together, their relationship shines bright in the midst of gloom and sadness. Since each woman gets her own book in this series, I would have loved the chance to get to know them a little more. (But I guess the joke is really on me because now I'm definitely going to buy the rest of the books and read each girl's story.)
The Ones Who Got Away is not an easy read, but it was well worth the tears I shed. Oh, and the romance was obviously on point.
4.5/5 🌟
October 12, 2019
Liv, Finn e altre ragazze, sono "sopravvissuti" ad una terribile sparatoria in una scuola americana nella quale tanti studenti hanno perso la vita. Dieci anno dopo ritornano nella vecchia scuola per girare un documentario sull' accaduto, i cui proventi andranno alle famiglie delle vittime. Liv e Finn si troveranno ad affrontare i demoni del passato, a rivivere quella terrificante esperienza e rivangare ricordi che non avevano rivelato a nessuno. Riesumando la "capsula dei ricordi", nella quale lei e le sue amiche sopravvissute, anni prima avevano messo per iscritto i loro sogni e propositi per il futuro, Liv si renderà conto di non aver fatto nulla per diventare la donna che voleva essere: voleva girare il mondo e vivere appieno le sue passioni, ma così non è stato. Inizia una storia senza impegno con Finn, che amava già dal liceo. Sapeva che era una cosa temporanea, che loro due avevano una scadenza e che una volta finito tutto ne avrebbe sofferto, ma per una volta non voleva fuggire. Se aveva imparato qualcosa dal suo ritorno a Long Acre rileggendo la sua lettera, era che non sai mai cosa ti riserva il domani.
Non tutto era andato perso quella notte,non tutto era andato perso dentro di lei.
Non aveva mai smesso di amare quel posto, i suoi amici o sua madre solo perché non erano più nella sua vita. E non avrebbe mai smesso di amare Finn.
“Prometto, classe del 2005, di vivere la vita che mi spaventa”, questo recitava il suo bigliettino. Era tempo di mantenere davvero quella promessa e non dirlo soltanto a parole.
Non tutto era andato perso quella notte,non tutto era andato perso dentro di lei.
Non aveva mai smesso di amare quel posto, i suoi amici o sua madre solo perché non erano più nella sua vita. E non avrebbe mai smesso di amare Finn.
“Prometto, classe del 2005, di vivere la vita che mi spaventa”, questo recitava il suo bigliettino. Era tempo di mantenere davvero quella promessa e non dirlo soltanto a parole.
January 11, 2018
4.5 Stars!
Loved this one and can’t wait for more about the others:)
Loved this one and can’t wait for more about the others:)
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