Title: The One That Got Away
Author: Melissa Pimentel
Publisher: Michael Joseph
[Synopsis]
Ruby and Ethan were perfect for each other. Until the day they suddenly weren’t.
Now, ten years later, Ruby is single, having spent the last decade focusing on her demanding career and hectic life in Manhattan. There’s barely time for a trip to England for her little sister’s wedding. And there’s certainly not time to think about what it will be like to see Ethan again, who just so happens to be the best man.
But as the family frantically prepare for the big day, Ruby can’t help but wonder if she made the right choice all those years ago. Because there is nothing like a wedding for stirring up the past…
[My Review]
The One That Got Away is a fun, reflective and sweet story about lost loves, missed chances and the chance to start all over again.
The characters are likeable, though at the beginning of the novel I found main character Ruby a little abrasive and overly short with Ethan, but she really grew on me as the novel continued. Her sister Piper is pretty spoilt and annoying at times, but Ruby and everyone else knows this – that’s just how she is – and her dad is crackers most of the time, but in a loveable, sweet way. No one is perfect – many have their little faults (though Ethan does seem rather perfect!) which is much more relatable and realistic, or so I felt. You can’t help but warm to the characters!
Ruby and Ethan seem so well matched (as they always do, in romantic novels, but still!) and it was really sad sometimes to read about their missed chance to stay together, and how things started to go wrong. I felt quite emotional in some parts! I also enjoyed the way the novel flicks between the two timeframes – then and now – and was intrigued to find out what exactly Ruby was feeling so guilty about.
There are lots of references to things that happened back in what was presumably the 00’s, and I enjoyed picking up on little comments and inclusions that took me back to that era when I was a teenager! The novel is also set in Edinburgh, whilst most of the characters are American, so it’s quite amusing to read about some of the differences between cultures and places.
The One That Got Away has many of the typical tropes of the romance genre, but it’s really well done and avoids veering into cheesiness too much. The writing flows well and it’s really easy to read, so I breezed through it in no time. Though some parts are quite predictable, but I think that’s expected of many books in this genre, and none of that takes away from what is a sweet, fun story that will leave you feeling happy and satisfied as you reach the last page!
[Rating: 3.5/5]
Many thanks to Michael Joseph for providing a copy of this book on which I chose to write an honest and unbiased review.
The One That Got Away is out now in the UK!
Great review. I read this book late last year but I still remember that I liked Ruby and Ethan and like you, I also liked the setting.
They are really likeable characters which often makes for enjoyable reading 🙂 glad you enjoyed too!
Great review! 🙂 I love reading about missed chances, there’s such bittersweet feelings going with them. Also, I like it when characters grow on me as the story goes, it always surprises me and makes me think more.
Thank you! I’m a sucker for those ‘what if’ situations too! ????
Ohh, I really like this book. I read it twice since it came out.
It is really fun, but also pretty forgetable in my opinion – even though I read it twice and I remember the story, I also feel like I forgot lots of things that happened.
Yeah I kind of agree – it’s definitely a fun read but it’s nothing hugely special and like you I can’t remember much of it now it’s been a few days!
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