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3.64 AVERAGE
3.64 AVERAGE
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.
I loved, loved, loved this book!! I thought that comparisons to Emily Giffin books are spot on; Bethany Chase's writing style is very similar. I am a sucker for the one that got away type books so of course I knew I had to read this as soon as I saw the title. I had so much fun reading this book. It was a fast thoroughly engrossing read for me. I could pretty much predict how the story would go but I still found myself rapidly turning the pages and devouring every word, I couldn't wait to see how it would all turn out! I am already anticipating the next release from this author!
It’s like an english version of that Filipino pocket book, Precious Hearts Romances. It’s been a while since the last time I read adult romance and it feels good to be able to relate to the characters and imagine that I was the female lead.
If you don’t like reading paragraphs, you might get bored reading this. I was, at first, since I like reading a lot of dialogues but I persevered reading because I got hook and wanted to know whether they ended up together. Also I liked Eamon. I like imagining what he looked like, what he’s like in reality. I like Sarina’s work attitude, too.
By the way, this story might turn you on 60%.
If you don’t like reading paragraphs, you might get bored reading this. I was, at first, since I like reading a lot of dialogues but I persevered reading because I got hook and wanted to know whether they ended up together. Also I liked Eamon. I like imagining what he looked like, what he’s like in reality. I like Sarina’s work attitude, too.
By the way, this story might turn you on 60%.
I saw this book being reviewed left and right and what made me want to read it was the fact that it was about that one guy, "the one that got away." I was mostly intrigued because my boyfriend now is my almost got away, so I really wanted to just enjoy a fictional story that I could relate to in some ways.
I mostly enjoyed it, although around halfway through the book I sort of lost interest. I didn't want to give up on it yet, so I pushed through and was pretty happy with finishing it off. It wasn't as great as I was hoping, but I really felt for Sarina in several things she was going through and liked how she ended up figuring things out in the end.
I mostly enjoyed it, although around halfway through the book I sort of lost interest. I didn't want to give up on it yet, so I pushed through and was pretty happy with finishing it off. It wasn't as great as I was hoping, but I really felt for Sarina in several things she was going through and liked how she ended up figuring things out in the end.
What a wonderful novel! The original description that I read indicated that it might be a good book for fans of Emily Giffen and Jennifer Weiner which drew me in as I love Emily Giffen, in particular. Given this is a debut novel, I was hesitant that this one would have a lot of the problems that I often find in debuts but this one is a solid effort! I honestly COULD NOT PUT THIS DOWN! It was so fantastic! The story was charming, heartwarming, funny and entertaining!
I loved the characters and how Bethany Chase brought them all alive on the page. They felt like flesh and blood to me. I could relate to them and what they were experiencing. The pacing of the novel was really good - building interest and intrigue. Overall, I felt that Bethany Chase took a fairly common romance plot and improved it! She made it funny, endearing and charming! I really enjoyed this story so much and cannot wait to see what Bethany Chase has in store for us in the future! If this book is any indication, I suspect she is going to be added to my list of favorite contemporary romance authors! Really enjoyed this and definitely recommend it!
I loved the characters and how Bethany Chase brought them all alive on the page. They felt like flesh and blood to me. I could relate to them and what they were experiencing. The pacing of the novel was really good - building interest and intrigue. Overall, I felt that Bethany Chase took a fairly common romance plot and improved it! She made it funny, endearing and charming! I really enjoyed this story so much and cannot wait to see what Bethany Chase has in store for us in the future! If this book is any indication, I suspect she is going to be added to my list of favorite contemporary romance authors! Really enjoyed this and definitely recommend it!
Great read
I found this novel while browsing for my next read. It paid off and became one of those no-book-will-ever-compare types for me. I loved following Sarina's development and emotional growth through the story. I also loved the real way in which we watched the different relationships and romances unfold. There was no rush of coming together or falling apart where any were concerned. Loved it all the way through!
I found this novel while browsing for my next read. It paid off and became one of those no-book-will-ever-compare types for me. I loved following Sarina's development and emotional growth through the story. I also loved the real way in which we watched the different relationships and romances unfold. There was no rush of coming together or falling apart where any were concerned. Loved it all the way through!
When I was browsing on Goodreads a few months back and stumbled across Bethany Chase’s “The One That Got Away”, I immediately added it to my “to-read” shelf and waited patiently for March 2015 to roll around. Luckily, I received an ARC through Netgallery and got to enjoy this book a little early.
I love this trope in women’s fiction that asks, “What if the one that got away comes back?” There’s so much room for character development and exploration, and this story did not disappoint.
The story follows Sarina Mahler, who is (happily?) engaged to Noah, her adoring boyfriend of four years. That is until Sarina’s former one night stand, an Olympic swimmer named Eamon, comes back into her life and shakes things up. And let me just say, Sarina and Eamon had great chemistry. Their wit and dialogue kept me thoroughly entertained.
What I enjoyed most about this book was Bethany Chase’s writing style. It was simple but beautiful. You can clearly see what’s happening in your head. This book had a very cinematic feel to it, which made me never want to stop reading. The way she worded certain sentences and phrases was just right. Also, I don’t think I’ve ever read a book with so many clever metaphors/similes.
The only reason I’m giving this book a four stars instead of five is because there were too many moments where I found myself yelling at Sarina for the choices she made. It was frustrating. Also, the book was a tad predictable. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, it just took some of the fun out of reading. I like to have moments where I’m unsure of the ending.
Overall, “The One That Got Away” is a fantastic read. I think readers of Emily Giffin and Kristyn Kusek Lewis will enjoy and devour this book. I recommend you picking up this splendid debut into women’s fiction without reservation.
I can’t wait to read what Bethany Chase writes next!
I love this trope in women’s fiction that asks, “What if the one that got away comes back?” There’s so much room for character development and exploration, and this story did not disappoint.
The story follows Sarina Mahler, who is (happily?) engaged to Noah, her adoring boyfriend of four years. That is until Sarina’s former one night stand, an Olympic swimmer named Eamon, comes back into her life and shakes things up. And let me just say, Sarina and Eamon had great chemistry. Their wit and dialogue kept me thoroughly entertained.
What I enjoyed most about this book was Bethany Chase’s writing style. It was simple but beautiful. You can clearly see what’s happening in your head. This book had a very cinematic feel to it, which made me never want to stop reading. The way she worded certain sentences and phrases was just right. Also, I don’t think I’ve ever read a book with so many clever metaphors/similes.
The only reason I’m giving this book a four stars instead of five is because there were too many moments where I found myself yelling at Sarina for the choices she made. It was frustrating. Also, the book was a tad predictable. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, it just took some of the fun out of reading. I like to have moments where I’m unsure of the ending.
Overall, “The One That Got Away” is a fantastic read. I think readers of Emily Giffin and Kristyn Kusek Lewis will enjoy and devour this book. I recommend you picking up this splendid debut into women’s fiction without reservation.
I can’t wait to read what Bethany Chase writes next!
thought that it took to long to get to the inevitable conclusion. That being overall enjoyable