Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.64 AVERAGE
3.64 AVERAGE
the thing about the phrase " the one that got away" is that you never get them back. the break up is forever and you mourn them forever .
which is exactly what the fmc should have done, yet we can't have nice things because obviously she took penis head back after he manwhored his way through life.
which is exactly what the fmc should have done, yet we can't have nice things because obviously she took penis head back after he manwhored his way through life.
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This was a great book! I think this is Bethany Chase's first book and I hope she writes more.
The main character is so wonderfully developed that you can empathize with her and what she's experiencing. The story, I think, is something that most people can relate to: The old "what if I'd done this instead of that" question.
The main character is so wonderfully developed that you can empathize with her and what she's experiencing. The story, I think, is something that most people can relate to: The old "what if I'd done this instead of that" question.
Light Summer Read
Loved this easy summer read; I didn’t want to put it down! It’s light and fun, great for the beach.
Loved this easy summer read; I didn’t want to put it down! It’s light and fun, great for the beach.
I loved the characters in this book. Sar is struggling with the ability to find "home" and can't figure out how to accept what she wants might not be exactly what she has. Always hard to give up what you have to get what you want.
NetGalley provided a copy of this book for review. How glad I am to have early access to this one! It reminded me a lot of Jill Shalvis (whose books I adore), but with more heft. Thinking woman's Chick Lit. Loved the architecture bits -- a fun look at a fascinating profession.
Personally I think these characters read as younger than listed: it seemed New Adult to me. Not a plus or a minus, just an observation.
Personally I think these characters read as younger than listed: it seemed New Adult to me. Not a plus or a minus, just an observation.
Loved this book. Sarina is a smart, strong woman. I love how her relationships play out. I fell in love with Eamon, who is a dream man but flawed. John is a special presence. Danny and Nicole are friends that keep Sarina grounded but aren't overly involved..I found the descriptions of Sarina's work interesting. I really enjoyed this book a lot.
3.5 stars.
Bethany Chase writes a delightful debut novel with a smart and realistic heroine, a charming hero, and a sweet love story.
The One That Got Away attracts the reader with its clever premise about a smart woman in her thirties who is on the verge of a storybook future, but she finds herself questioning it all when the man she could never forget returns.
Side note: have you seen the cover? Now you know I had to read the blurb once I saw that cover. :)
Sarina Mahler is brilliant, creative, and superbly talented when it comes to architecture and her career. Her personal life on the other had is filled with self-doubt and anxiety. Her boyfriend wants to marry her and start a family soon after, but the thought of walking down the aisle leaves her feeling numb. She loves him, but she has never felt for him what she once felt for the man she only spent one night with. When Eamon waltzes back into her life and hires her to build his dream house, she knows she’s in trouble because she still feels it. That pull, that connection. She wonders if she can resist the gravity of her feelings and maintain a strictly professional relationship, or if the one that walked away is the one that she’s meant to be with.
I was very excited when I read the premise for this story because I pictured a tension-filled, second chance love story that would just make me feel all kinds of gooey inside. I may have built it up too much, because the final product, though it had its moments that mad me melt, was generally mmm…*shrugs*. Let me classify that: the love story was less than stellar. Chase’s writing was first-rate, and I thought this story was witty and entertaining, with some poignant moments that made me feel, but the story of Sarina and Eamon just didn’t pull me in as deeply as I wanted.
The One That Got Away is narrated from Sarina’s POV, and we get to see the struggles she faces in her career and relationships – the distance between her boyfriend and the connection she feels with Eamon playing heavily on her mind and causing conflict in her life. I liked reading her perspective, but I don’t think Eamon featured enough in the book. For the first 50% there’s barely any interaction between the two, and since the story jumps weeks at a time, sometimes months, it was hard for me to connect with the feelings that Sarina struggled with, since I wasn’t shown their development, mostly told.
There were aspects of this novel that I really liked. Sarina’s relationship with her friends and her stepfather was really fun to read, and. I loved that Sarina was sure of who she was, even if she was unsure about what she wanted. I’ll always enjoy reading about strong women (and even when they’re being cowards, they’re strong), and Sarina was definitely that.
Bethany Chase is clearly a talented writer, and she knows how to create characters that readers want to know more about, as was the case with The One That Got Away. I was hooked from the first page, and although I didn’t love every part of this book (I wanted more Eamon!), I did enjoy reading this sweet romance, especially the last 10%. :) This is the perfect light read to enjoy while lounging on the beach or flying across the seas. It’ll take you away from wherever you are, and I promise it will leave a smile on your face.
Bethany Chase writes a delightful debut novel with a smart and realistic heroine, a charming hero, and a sweet love story.
The One That Got Away attracts the reader with its clever premise about a smart woman in her thirties who is on the verge of a storybook future, but she finds herself questioning it all when the man she could never forget returns.
Side note: have you seen the cover? Now you know I had to read the blurb once I saw that cover. :)
Sarina Mahler is brilliant, creative, and superbly talented when it comes to architecture and her career. Her personal life on the other had is filled with self-doubt and anxiety. Her boyfriend wants to marry her and start a family soon after, but the thought of walking down the aisle leaves her feeling numb. She loves him, but she has never felt for him what she once felt for the man she only spent one night with. When Eamon waltzes back into her life and hires her to build his dream house, she knows she’s in trouble because she still feels it. That pull, that connection. She wonders if she can resist the gravity of her feelings and maintain a strictly professional relationship, or if the one that walked away is the one that she’s meant to be with.
I was very excited when I read the premise for this story because I pictured a tension-filled, second chance love story that would just make me feel all kinds of gooey inside. I may have built it up too much, because the final product, though it had its moments that mad me melt, was generally mmm…*shrugs*. Let me classify that: the love story was less than stellar. Chase’s writing was first-rate, and I thought this story was witty and entertaining, with some poignant moments that made me feel, but the story of Sarina and Eamon just didn’t pull me in as deeply as I wanted.
The One That Got Away is narrated from Sarina’s POV, and we get to see the struggles she faces in her career and relationships – the distance between her boyfriend and the connection she feels with Eamon playing heavily on her mind and causing conflict in her life. I liked reading her perspective, but I don’t think Eamon featured enough in the book. For the first 50% there’s barely any interaction between the two, and since the story jumps weeks at a time, sometimes months, it was hard for me to connect with the feelings that Sarina struggled with, since I wasn’t shown their development, mostly told.
There were aspects of this novel that I really liked. Sarina’s relationship with her friends and her stepfather was really fun to read, and
Spoiler
Chase’s portrayal of loss and grief was beautifully doneBethany Chase is clearly a talented writer, and she knows how to create characters that readers want to know more about, as was the case with The One That Got Away. I was hooked from the first page, and although I didn’t love every part of this book (I wanted more Eamon!), I did enjoy reading this sweet romance, especially the last 10%. :) This is the perfect light read to enjoy while lounging on the beach or flying across the seas. It’ll take you away from wherever you are, and I promise it will leave a smile on your face.
The last quarter of this book really bummed me out. Not in the sense that it was sad, but in the way that everything came together. I hate that the blame for everything was put on Sarina. That Eamon can make a move on her when he knows she has a bf, get mad at her when she won't take it further, tell her to break up with Noah continuously, and then just sleep with some Random and not think Sarina has any right to be upset with him? I know she didn't tell him that she broke up with Noah, but that should not make this entire situation her fault.
I was really into the story before all that, which is why I still gave it 3 stars, but I definitely did not enjoy the way everything played out to get to the HEA.
I was really into the story before all that, which is why I still gave it 3 stars, but I definitely did not enjoy the way everything played out to get to the HEA.
After reading An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir. It left me a huge book hangover and reading funk. I ended up DNF-ing three YA books. I admit, it took me awhile to read anything, so here I am, totally not expecting a Chick Lit book to sway me away.
It’s been forever since I read a book from this genre. Its so refreshing to be back. The One That Got Away's premise and the story itself speaks to me. This is one of my favorite tropes ever. And I think it's been done well, though there are couple of scenes that rubs me the wrong way. Hence the one less star.
Review to come.
It’s been forever since I read a book from this genre. Its so refreshing to be back. The One That Got Away's premise and the story itself speaks to me. This is one of my favorite tropes ever. And I think it's been done well, though there are couple of scenes that rubs me the wrong way. Hence the one less star.
Review to come.