Five Star Second Chance Romance

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Holy smokes! That was one emotional read. I have fallen in love with author Roni Loren. She was able to take a tragedy and make it beautiful by focusing on admitting one’s fear and being willing to overcome them. Loren wrote with such raw emotion and was able to bring this story to life with her characters. It was a tragic version of The Breakfast Club ending on an enlightening and uplifting note. The One’s Who Got Away is beautiful, tragic, happy, and hopeful.
Prom was supposed to be one of the happiest moments of your time in high school. For the student’s at Long Acre High School it was anything but. Two shooters changed that night and the survivors would have to live with this memory for the rest of their life. Four survivors became friends. Only they could understand what each was going through.
Twelve years later, that tragic night was being highlighted. Olivia Arias, one of the survivors, went back to the school for an interview. The proceeds from it would go to the families of the victims and that was the only reason she was doing this. It was supposed to be a couple of days talking with the interviewer and then life would go back to normal. Then, Finn Dorsey walked in looking strong, manly, and handsome as ever. Not only were bad memories brought up, but now Olivia remember the good times with Finn. They were secret high school sweethearts. After prom, it would never be the same between them. Could twelve years change that?
Olivia may not have been ready for a reunion, but it too would change her life forever. After the stress of rehashing all the details of that night, she went to meet her friends who also happened to be the other survivors for some drinks. They were meeting to read letters full of promises they made to the classmates they lost. After reading them, the ladies realized that they were disappointed in themselves. Not because they weren’t as rich or successful as they wanted to be, but because they let fear get the best of them. They were scared to be who they were meant to be. Liv wasn’t proud of who she became. She settled. This night was a blessing in disguise because she realized that living a life of fear was only letting the shooters win. She made an inner vow to live life fully and nothing would hold her back anymore.
Finn Dorsey had always been captivated by Liv and was even more so when he saw her that night with her friends. He found himself staring at her and was eager for her attention. When she went outside, he followed. They picked up right where they left off, still enjoying each other’s company and more kissing was involved. One thing almost led to another, but he knew he had to stop. He was now a part of the FBI going on dangerous missions to stop the people who sold the guns to the shooters. He was not that scared boy anymore, but when he was in her presence he sure felt like it. Liv and Finn were attracted to each other like magnets. It wasn’t only sexual, but the sexual tension was definitely there. One proposition would allow them to help each other stay true to their goals in becoming people who didn’t let the past haunt them anymore.
Liv, Finn, and a lake house. This combination was already proving to be a healing one. Liv was following her passion as a photographer and Finn was trying to live a normal life not filled with danger, long term missions, and murder. It was a big step for both and they were holding each other accountable. Things were going great. Liv was coming down to the lake house on weekends and Finn was there with open arms. In this process, they were growing as individuals in so many ways. Liv was less afraid to follow her dreams and Finn let the light and happiness back in his life.
Their journey was beautiful to read about. It was painful, healing, loving, and truthful. Liv and Finn could be vulnerable and let love win. Now, how long would that last? Well, you will only find out when you reach the end of the book. Roni Loren did an amazing job making this story beautifully heartbreaking. I highly recommend this book to romance lovers who love a second chance romance filled with passion. I give The Ones Who Got Away 5 stars for so many reasons. It was captivating, hard to put down, and provided a memorable second chance romance.