REVIEW: The Ones Who Got Away

The Ones Who Got Away

By Roni Loren
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The Ones Who Got Away by Roni Loren

Twelve years after surviving the shooting massacre at her prom, Liv Aria gathers with  three other survivors from that night, to open up a time capsul they buried.  Inside this jar, each girl made promises to honor the class of 2005.  Once they open it, they each realize that they have not followed through with their vows.

Olivia promised to try and make a living as a photographer, live a passionate life and to live the life that scares her.  Unfortunately, Livvy is still dealing with fear and PTSD.  She tries to avoid anything and everything from THAT time - until she reunites with Finn.  Although he is no longer the boy she remembers, he still sets her body aflame.  She feels alive after twelve years of nothingness and fear.

Finn Dorsey was deemed a hero twelve years ago for saving his date's life.  What the media doesn't know however, is that he did it at the expense of leaving Olivia alone and at the mercy of one of the gunmen.

Finn is now on hiatus after going undercover as a strip club owner for the FBI.  In that short amount of time, he has seen and done things that he believes have fundamentally changed him.  Now, as per his commander, he is on leave until he can prove himself stable.  He wants to get back to the job so he can take down the organization who sold the shooters their guns years ago.  But Finn is unsure who he is anymore and dreads reuniting even with his family.  He does not believe he will fit in.

When he meets Livvy again, he is filled with guilt and lust.  He has never forgotten how he let her down or the passion they shared.  With lust ramping up, they come to an agreement.  Livvy will go with him to his parents house as a buffer afterward, she will stay on weekends in the guesthouse where he is staying and restart her photography .  Finn on the other hand, will help her fulfill her pledge.  But that is not the only understanding they come to.  For the summer, while they are together they will become lovers knowing that at the end, Finn WILL leave.  Olivia agrees even though she knows heartbreak may be on the horizon.

When duty calls, will Finn choose to stay with the woman he loves or will he desert her once again in her time of need?

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I cannot believe I almost bypassed this book.  What was I thinking?  This book definitely should not be missed.  It is about facing your fears, chasing your dreams and falling in love along the way.  The book is heartbreaking and uplifting as well as sorrowful and delightful.

The subject of which it speaks is serious and overwhelming.  What would you do if you survived such an attack?  How would you cope with so much loss? I believe this book does an excellent portrayal in answering those questions

Although I have never been through such a tragedy, this book and the characters feelings feel "real" to me.  As if the author may have gone through such an awful event herself.  It is wonderfully written and paced.

I adored Livvy.  She had many fears but slowly and surely with Finn's help, faced them all.  You cannot get a stronger heroine.  She gave it all up and kept on going!

Finn was Olivia's perfect match.  Although not physically scared of anything, our hero is afraid that he has forgotten how to acclimate back into society and be the charming, loveable boy he once was. With Livvy playing, joking, teasing and loving him, Finn's concern is put to rest.

The supporting cast and characters, in my opinion, also played a vital role.  I have a feeling but am not quite sure yet that there will be a book for each of the friends and I CANNOT wait to find out what happens with each and everyone of them.  Well, what are you waiting for, go get yourself a copy!

Thank you to NetGalley and SourceBooks Casablanca for the opportunity to review this one of a kind book.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.