The One That Got Away: A DI Heather Filson Novel

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The ones you can go years without speaking to, and then when you do, it’s like no time has passed. . . . these are the people who truly shape our lives. Who leave their marks on our soul.” The characters that the author describe can be your friend, a family member or even yourself. You can identify with her or with him. We get a dual point of view, which I’m a major fan, and a multiple timeline. Both these aspects work wonders and are extremely well made, keeping the reader interesting until the end. The chapters are short, which also adds to this interest as readers, as we are frequently changing and getting to know the characters.

Thank you to NetGalley and Aria & Aries for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review. The One That Got Away is available on February 2, 2023. There are some very serious topics in this book but all written about with sensitivity and with a way of holding the attention of the reader. I loved it and I would definitely recommend. Out 2nd February. Both Ben and Clara are emotionally vulnerable going through typical teenage issues resulting in lot of miscommunication between them.It is not simply a love story it is more about the character's choices and how they've changed throughout the years, about their emotions and struggles. Most importantly that no matter how much we plan, fate can step in and flip our plans upside down putting us on a different path to learn and grow up. This was more emotional than I expected it to be. I liked reading this though. Clara was not a very likable character in my opinion. The story was relatable and I think it’s important to talk about heavy topics. I thought this was very well written and overall enjoyed this book!

Already at the beginning of the book I had tears of emotion in my eyes, and the end of the book doesn't leave you cold either.Romantic love, I’ve found, takes different shapes, and presents itself in unique ways over the course of your lifetime. For some your first love is forever and those people know no one else. For others first love is fleeting, for some haunting, and for most unforgettable regardless. Subs desk is over there,” Clara says, smiling at Natasha, who has paused next to the bank of desks where Clara sits, as though she’s forgotten where she’s meant to be sitting. I wasn't left with fuzzy feelings reading this, but its execution was masterful. What an emotional journey of heartbreak, loss, and redemption. This book has heavy topics so I would suggest looking at trigger warnings. Its a good story but has some down moments. I would still recommend this book and will real be reading more of her books.

Benjamin’s world is turned upside down the night he meets Clara. Instinctively, he knows that they are meant for each other, but a devastating mistake on their last night at university will take their lives in very different directions. My biggest critic is that I wish there was an epilogue, or one additional chapter to flush out the ending a little more. The reader is hit with a lot at the end – and then we are left to fully imagine the outcome (even though we are led to a somewhat conclusion). Of course he was there. August to May, every Saturday afternoon for their entire relationship. Without fail. I have laughed and cried reading this. I became completely invested in this one from the beginning. The One That Got Away was just great! I love the present and past timelines and the anticipation of what happened to pull apart the main characters while trying to reunite them in present time.

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There are traits of both characters that I can recognise in myself when I was their age and it's both embarrassing and amusing in equal measures. We follow them through college in this dual timeline which also sees them 20 years on in their very different but similarly unhappy lives. Benjamin's world is turned upside down the day he meets Clara. Instinctively, he knows that she is his person and he is hers, but the events of one of their last nights at university will take their lives in very different directions.

This was a very long book which I ordinary would have given up on but just couldn’t put down. The characters feel real and are relatable. The story lines are ones that course through all of our lives. So poignant. I really enjoyed immersing myself in Clara and Benjamin's story of love and loss. Wonderfully written. A definite five star read." ––Karen Hamilton, author of The Ex-Husband

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The only place I ever felt at home was with you. There isn’t a place for me anywhere anymore… I’ve been evicted.” A gripping and powerful story about first love defying all odds, for fans of One Day and The Paper Palace. Here,” Clara says, scribbling her name and extension on a Post-it. “I only work part-time, but I’m in Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Give me a shout sometime.” Clara and Benjamin come from very different worlds,yet find themselves enmeshed in a tragic love story. We follow them through college in this dual timeline which also sees them 20 years on in their very different but similarly unhappy lives. Thought-provoking and with heavy topics weaved throughout, I found this an intense but enjoyable read. This had a very different feel to your usual love story tropes and covers some extremely heavy topics, so please be mindful of this before reading if you are affected by rape/terrorism references. However, I think the author dealt with these topics very maturely, and added to the raw, gripping feel of the book.