The One for You

I've really enjoyed all this series, but I think this was my favourite. If the thought of reading books about a school shooting puts you off don't let it, because whilst it is mentioned and does affect all the characters in one way or another, it isn't the whole focus of the book, or any in this series, although obviously it is the underlying fact that brought the group of friends together, but it's handled really sympathetically. This book is about Kincaid and Ash who were best friends in high school. Kincaid was oblivious to the fact that Ash liked her and only thought of him as her best friend and someone who she could tell anything to and rely on. Ash on the other hand wanted to be that best friend, but also much more, but it just never worked out for them, mainly because Kincaid started seeing Graham (one of those who died) and, after the shooting, everyone was in a bad place and Ash ended up leaving Long Acre to pursue his writing ambitions, and escape his bad family life and everything that had happened. Kincaid has stayed in Long Acre and made a good life for herself, determined to shake the reputation her family had because of her Mother, but has always had flings rather than relationships because she lost her one true love and 'hero' Graham in the shooting. But then Ash comes back to town to try and get inspiration for his new book and gets caught up in the family and friends still there and slowly secrets come out and change his and Kincaid's relationship. There was a really great vibe between the two of them and it was so nice to see Kincaid finally becoming a little less dense where Ash was concerned! We also caught up with the rest of the gang and their partners, who are always there for each other in times of need. A great group of friends. This was just the perfect end to a really great series.

A wonderful conclusion to this series. It's been a year since the previous book in this series came out but the final book, The One for You, was more than worth the wait. While you could probably read each of the books in this series as standalone stories, you would be doing yourself an injustice if you don't read them in order. Book one is especially important as it sets up the series as well as telling the story of the first couple. An entire series based on something as dreadful as the tragedy of a school shooting seems almost unimaginable for a romance, but Roni Loren totally makes it work. Each book in The Ones Who Got Away series has been gut-wrenching in its own way, but each has ultimately been uplifting with a wonderful HEA. Second chance stories and friends-to-lovers are my romance kryptonite and The One for You rolls both tropes into a perfect story. Kincaid and Ash were best friends in high school and they both survived the tragedy; unfortunately, their friendship didn't. Circumstances have let them to reconnect and they have agreed to a fresh start. But Kincaid doesn't know that Ash has been withholding information and when she finds out what it is her reaction is a bit different than what I expected. I could go into all kinds of detail about this book but no review I write could ever do it justice. (That's why I'm a reader and not a writer. 😊) I will just say that the story turned me inside out and made me use up more tissues reading it than any other book I've read recently. And it was worth every single tear and tissue used. Roni Loren is a fantastic storyteller and one of only a handful of M/F romance writers that I still read. I don't know what she has coming next but I will be waiting in line to read it. A review copy was provided by the publisher via NetGalley but this did not influence my opinion or rating of the book.

**I voluntarily read an early copy of this title courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review** When I began this series, Roni Loren was a new to me author and I am so happy that I gave her a chance because this has been such a great series! I'm sad to see it coming to an end, but I'm grateful we got to spend time with such an amazing group of characters. Kincaid Breslin is the final one of the four friends who gets her second chance at love. Just as with the others, Kincaid's life was changed that night at senior prom when the gunman opened fire. Kincaid lost her then boyfriend that night and she's never gotten over him. He is still the person that she compares other men to and she's not ready to risk her heart in that way again as she doesn't want to be left brokenhearted yet again. Ashton Isaacs was Kincaid's best friend back in high school and with the events that transpired at the prom, he left town and has always been determined not to return. When he left, he not only left his home town, but he left his best friend and the person who meant the most to him. When life throws a curve ball at him, Ash is forced to return to Long Acre regardless of the fact that it is going to be one of the hardest things he's ever done. When Kincaid and Ash are reunited, things are not all sunshine and roses. They are both hurt by things from the past and the way their friendship ended before has left them both with a lot of hurt feelings. When they are forced to work together for the good of their friends, they begin to patch things up, however will the secrets that Ash harbors end things again before they really begin? Also, will these two notice that the friendship they have is beginning to burn into something much stronger than that? I enjoyed this book so much. Kincaid comes off as happy-go-lucky and the light one of the group, but the reality is actually much different. She's lonely and struggling. Ash on the other hand is totally in love with his friend and he knows she has never seen him that way, which made my heart break for him throughout the book. Knowing that he's always been second best in Kincaid's eyes was so tough to take. The way this relationship evolved from friends to lovers was organic and right. If you haven't read this series, I highly recommend it. It was enjoyable and entertaining and this group of friends is totally awesome!