This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Published by Sourcebooks Casablanca
Released on June 5, 2018
Pages: 416
Format: eARC
Source: Publisher
The Delight
The second installment in a contemporary romance series about a group of four adult women who survived a school shooting and are still dealing with the aftermath. After the intro to them all in the first book, I was eager to get each of their stories and how they find a way to make it through and find romance. This was sized up to be a real lulu with Rebecca Lindt being the divorce lawyer representing the hero’s ex. Warily and curiously, I began the book.
Review
The One You Can’t Forget is book two in the The Ones Who Got Away series. I think it works best in order, but also would be okay if picked up standalone or out of order.
I went into this one prepared for a little more emotion on my part than would be expected from the book because the premise of the story- a high school shooting- is distressingly apropos at the moment for what is going on in the real world out there. I wasn’t worried that the author would handle the topic with respect because she did in the first book and this continued through into The One You Can’t Forget.
I thought it was interesting that liked, loved, or detested, the reader gets many aspects of the fall out from such an event even years later whether it is straight up survivor’s guilt and PTSD, a need to prove herself and over-achieve, unwarranted personal guilt, perpetrator’s parent shifting guilt, parents of survivors either stepping up or not as the case may be.
And, just in case the heroine’s background didn’t bring enough turmoil to the story, the hero has his own demons to conquer in the form of a not so great past, stupid mistakes, recovering from alcoholism, bankruptcy and well meaning, but wrong-headed family support.
This should have been one emotionally messy book for me. And, at times, I was feeling pretty stabby from anger, frustration, or deep pain for the characters I was connecting with. But, the personal realization and growth and the romance were brought along at a nice steady rate. I was impatient and wanted epiphanies to come faster, but I think in retrospect that flawed and hurting people would need more time to discover and grow. I liked both characters and really wanted them to heal and find their happiness together. I think I enjoyed best when they finally ignored their families’ advice and just went for it with each other. Wes really helped Rebecca learn the lesson that he learned about finding what makes you happy and doing it like his chef work.
So, all in all, this was another fantastic addition to the series. I am looking forward to what is to come with the next two gals. It’s a tough topic for the series premise, but its handled well and makes for a great story of triumph and a spicy contemporary romance that I can easily recommend.
My thanks to Sourcebooks Casablanca for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
Challenges
Romance Roundabout #199 CR
New Release #100
Recommendations
About Roni Loren
Roni 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. Though she’ll forever be a New Orleans girl at heart, she now lives in Dallas with her husband and son.
If she’s not working on her latest sexy story, you can find her reading, watching reality television, or indulging in her unhealthy addiction to rockstars, er, rock concerts. Yeah, that’s it. She is the National Bestselling Author of The Loving on the Edge series from Berkley Heat.
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I love how this series features characters working through contemporary issues and that the author lets the characters take their time to heal and grow. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Yes, it really hits home b/c of the issues the people are dealing with for me, too, Crystal. 🙂
Oh yes I heard a lot about this one and the reviews are great! I think I should try it as well
Definitely worth a try, Melliane. 😉
I’ve been meaning to read something by this author for awhile now! I’ve only ever seen positive reviews for her books.
Sometimes I get frustrated with characters when I feel like they’re taking too long to figure things out, but I understand that some people take longer to come to certain conclusions. Lovely review! <3
L @ Do You Dog-ear?
Yes, I love them together and see they have a good fit so it’s hard not to get impatient. 🙂
Right? I just want to scream lyrics from The Little Mermaid at them. “Go on and kiss the girl…”
Ha! Now, that will be my ‘hurry up and kiss her’ anthem. Good one, Lindsi!
I have the first book somewhere, I’ve been putting off reading it for.. the obvious reasons of todays state, but glad to see you enjoyed it. This sounds like it has going on and almost too emotionally draining at times
I read the first one last year and while it has a hot issue of today, it really dealt with how the kids grew up to adults. Now having said that, I have this book on my Kindle and I have struggled to pick it up as it is causing some anguish as I have school aged children now that I worry every minute about. I am not sure I can read it and I have had it a while on my Kindle.
Yes, it can definitely be all that. I love some of the lighter moments like the banter and romance, but I never quite forget what brought the people to where they are at. 🙂
I actually have the first book The Ones Who Got Away still in my TBR. I guess it is time to move it up my pile. I have heard nothing but good things about the author and her books.
Oh yay! Glad to help influence you to give it a go. 🙂
I am so happy to see that you liked this one as much as you did. I bought the first book not too long ago and hope to start fitting in more of my purchased books very soon. I am pretty sure that I am going to like this series.
I hear you on getting to the stack of purchased books.
Yes, these are heartwarming, a little spicy, regular people with complex lives after the event. She writes so well. 🙂
I read the first book and enjoyed it. I really need to pick this one up. I am happy you enjoyed it.
Oh yes, Nadene. It’s just an opinion, but I thought it was even better than book one. 🙂
Wow sounds more complex and interesting than I expected, Great review! Anne – Books of My Heart
She puts a lot into her books and it shows. The people, their situations, and how they grow and grow in their relationships. Loved it, Anne! 🙂
Sophia…why is this not a 5 – you seemed to enjoy this one so much! =) I like that she handled this topic well and will have to get this series.
Mary
It was really good, but not… quite there. Rather subjective and vague, I know. LOL I think my issue was mostly how the pair of them were passive way too long about letting their respective family members lead them around by the nose. She walked away from him and he did with her before coming back together because of it. She just let her dad run rough shod for way too long. I get it a little, but yeah… frustrating.
Crossing my fingers that you love them, too.
I enjoyed this too. She hasn’t wrote a book I haven’t liked. lol
Oh, you know, same here. I haven’t read all her books, but I’ve read enough that I should have come across a dud by now and haven’t. 🙂
Heard lots of good things aboutb this, and can tell you really loved it too! Hugs…and Happy Friday! RO
Howdy, Radiant Ro! I needed some of your sunshine today. Glad you stopped by. Oh yes, I did love this one. They needed to catch a break and find their happy.
I am so glad that you really enjoyed this one here. I did like the first one, and I was really intrigued by the heroine in this book so I can’t wait to grab this one up soon. Lovely review.
Thanks, Renee!
Yes, she kept things rolling forward in this book with another challenging pair – or maybe that’s pair with a lot of challenges LOL I thought this one was even better in some ways. Look forward to getting your thoughts.
Oooh, I loved this one so much! I wasn’t wowed by the first one, but I didn’t let that deter me because I’m already a huge fan of Roni Loren. Her erotica is sooooo good! I really loved Rebecca and Wes separately even though they both made mistakes. Wasn’t her dad a piece of work? He did mean well, I think, but still. I wonder which gal is up next. Can’t wait! 🙂
Yes, I love all the books from her Loving on the Edge series. Ha, her dad is what had me stabby a few times and I got the impression that he was trying, too.
I can’t wait to see who gets her story next, either. Either way I’m happy. 🙂
Yay! I enjoyed this one, too. It wasn’t quite as emotional as I was expecting but that was okay with me. I’m real curious about the next two ladies, too!
Yeah, I was expecting it to go really deep with the emotional stuff, but it really didn’t get that angsty considering.
I agree. I don’t care which one gets the next book, but I am okay either way. 🙂