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3.64 AVERAGE
3.64 AVERAGE
The first two-thirds of this book were entertaining, and I enjoyed the architectural and design storylines. But the last third of the book was unnecessary. I went from being really interested in the story to anxiously awaiting the conclusion.
Loved this book! It was fun to read and I couldn’t wait to see how the story played out. Cannot wait for the next book by Bethany Chase.
3 1/2. I really liked everything about this outside of the love triangle. (Which unfortunately is the bulk of it.) Awesome main character, I loved her career stuff and her friends, and her relationship with her stepfather, and the Austin setting. So there really is a lot to like here. But the main story just didn't grab me. It was kind of predictable for one thing. For another, I typically don't like stories of people romanticizing past relationships/encounters, and this was no exception. I couldn't stand Eamon; the one that got away was really the bullet that she dodged if you ask me. Still a decent read and I'm sure I'll read her next one.
A light, fast read, at times feels like an episode of Friends, but with more heart and a little more depth. A romantic comedy of sorts, as Sarina, with Noah for four years, becomes restless as a past flame appears on the scene. Eamon, an Olympic swimmer, muddies the waters for Sarina as she is trying to decide her future.
I won a free copy of this book - I would actually give it 3.5 stars. It was a cute, sweet love story even if it was predictable. The character of Sarina Mahler is a funny, likable, real young woman. The one thing that bothered me was how the character of Noah changed so much over the course of a couple of chapters. This is an ideal beach read - light and easy. I enjoyed the characters and the story and look forward to reading the next book by Bethany Chase.
4.5 stars. I could not put this one down. Thoughtful, fun, and full of crazy tension. Plus it was set in Austin. So much to love.
--- complete thoughts first posted on Rather Be Reading Blog.
Sarina. She’s hungry two hours after she eats. (I can relate.) She’s creative. She is protective of her independence. She’s also completely confused about her path, and I don’t blame her. How many times have we made the safe choice that makes us somewhat happy because we are too scared, too apprehensive to switch gears even if it means the possibility of extreme happiness? Too many times to count, I’m sure.
Here we have Sarina perfectly content with her relationship (even if it’s mostly long distance right now) and diving head first into her new business, trying to make a name for herself. She has great friends, a cat who loves her, and yet when Eamon comes back into her life — a guy she had such a connection with years ago but never called her after their night together — something shifts. I don’t for one second think that Eamon is the sole reason why she started questioning the way her life was going. The catalyst would have come sooner or later. Maybe, just maybe, there is more to the life she has carefully crafted for herself.
From the very beginning, the chemistry between Sarina and Eamon is off the charts but I have to give my girl some credit — she has self-control. Sure, many of her thoughts revolve around him, she loves spending time with him, but the boundaries don’t exactly breakdown like they could have. (Like I’ve seen them do so in other books.) Instead, Sarina and Eamon build a professional relationship (she’s helping him fix up a house), laugh together, and slowly begin to lean on each other. At the same time, Sarina deeply cares about her boyfriend and doesn’t foresee ending things with him. She throws herself into work, skypes with the boyfriend, visits with her beloved stepdad, and silently obsesses over Eamon until she realizes things can’t remain the same anymore.
Does her partner understand her? Is her business going in the direction she wants it to? Should she have to choose between her career and the kids she doesn’t have yet? Will she ever stop mourning her mother’s death? Is she scared of being happy? Of being honest with herself? Debut author Bethany Chase attacks each of these questions thoughtfully, peppered with humor and sexy moments. Halfway through, the ache associated with ending a book was already (!!) setting in. I already knew it would be hard to leave Sarina, her Austin, these friends, and her journey. That feeling is so heartbreaking but, at the same time, that’s how you know a book is special, right?
The One That Got Away covered a larger expanse of time then I imagined it would, and Sarina was constantly surprising me. Ice cream in bed, road trips, sweet supporting characters, late night drinking, and the promise of rustic home decor mixed in with all those difficult, big kid moments we hate to deal with — I am a solid supporter of this novel and can’t wait to check out what Bethany is cooking up next.
--- complete thoughts first posted on Rather Be Reading Blog.
Sarina. She’s hungry two hours after she eats. (I can relate.) She’s creative. She is protective of her independence. She’s also completely confused about her path, and I don’t blame her. How many times have we made the safe choice that makes us somewhat happy because we are too scared, too apprehensive to switch gears even if it means the possibility of extreme happiness? Too many times to count, I’m sure.
Here we have Sarina perfectly content with her relationship (even if it’s mostly long distance right now) and diving head first into her new business, trying to make a name for herself. She has great friends, a cat who loves her, and yet when Eamon comes back into her life — a guy she had such a connection with years ago but never called her after their night together — something shifts. I don’t for one second think that Eamon is the sole reason why she started questioning the way her life was going. The catalyst would have come sooner or later. Maybe, just maybe, there is more to the life she has carefully crafted for herself.
From the very beginning, the chemistry between Sarina and Eamon is off the charts but I have to give my girl some credit — she has self-control. Sure, many of her thoughts revolve around him, she loves spending time with him, but the boundaries don’t exactly breakdown like they could have. (Like I’ve seen them do so in other books.) Instead, Sarina and Eamon build a professional relationship (she’s helping him fix up a house), laugh together, and slowly begin to lean on each other. At the same time, Sarina deeply cares about her boyfriend and doesn’t foresee ending things with him. She throws herself into work, skypes with the boyfriend, visits with her beloved stepdad, and silently obsesses over Eamon until she realizes things can’t remain the same anymore.
Does her partner understand her? Is her business going in the direction she wants it to? Should she have to choose between her career and the kids she doesn’t have yet? Will she ever stop mourning her mother’s death? Is she scared of being happy? Of being honest with herself? Debut author Bethany Chase attacks each of these questions thoughtfully, peppered with humor and sexy moments. Halfway through, the ache associated with ending a book was already (!!) setting in. I already knew it would be hard to leave Sarina, her Austin, these friends, and her journey. That feeling is so heartbreaking but, at the same time, that’s how you know a book is special, right?
The One That Got Away covered a larger expanse of time then I imagined it would, and Sarina was constantly surprising me. Ice cream in bed, road trips, sweet supporting characters, late night drinking, and the promise of rustic home decor mixed in with all those difficult, big kid moments we hate to deal with — I am a solid supporter of this novel and can’t wait to check out what Bethany is cooking up next.
Contemporary-A-Thon read # 6: (doesn’t apply to a challenge) - COMPLETE!
This was cute! Not the best thing I’ve ever read, but it held my attention the entire time and even made me tear up once or twice. Would definitely recommend if you’re in the mood for a southern-y chick-lit book!
This was cute! Not the best thing I’ve ever read, but it held my attention the entire time and even made me tear up once or twice. Would definitely recommend if you’re in the mood for a southern-y chick-lit book!