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The One That Got Away: A Novel
Melissa Pimentel delivers smart, funny, and modern retelling of Jane Austen's Persuasion, where a young woman comes face-to-face with a lost love, proving that the one that got away is sometimes the one you get back.
Ruby and Ethan were perfect for each other. Until the day they suddenly weren't.
Ten years later, Ruby's single, having spent the last decade focusing on her demanding career and hectic life in Manhattan. There's barely time for a trip to England for her little sister's wedding. And there's certainly not time to think about seeing Ethan there for the first time in years.
But as the family frantically prepare for the big day, Ruby can't help but wonder if she made the right choice all those years ago? Because there's nothing like a wedding for stirring up the past . . .
Ruby and Ethan were perfect for each other. Until the day they suddenly weren't.
Ten years later, Ruby's single, having spent the last decade focusing on her demanding career and hectic life in Manhattan. There's barely time for a trip to England for her little sister's wedding. And there's certainly not time to think about seeing Ethan there for the first time in years.
But as the family frantically prepare for the big day, Ruby can't help but wonder if she made the right choice all those years ago? Because there's nothing like a wedding for stirring up the past . . .
368 pages, Hardcover
First published August 22, 2017
57 people are currently reading
3455 people want to read
About the author
Melissa Pimentel
7 books140 followersMelissa Pimentel grew up in a small town in Massachusetts in a house without cable and therefore much of her childhood was spent watching 1970s British comedy on PBS.
At twenty-two, she made the move to London to do an MA in Modern Literature at University College London. She has lived there happily for ten years, though she still adamantly refuses to eat a scotch egg. Before meeting her fiancé, she spent much of her time trawling the London dating scene for clean, non-sociopathic sexual partners and blogging about it, which became the inspiration for her first novel.
These days, she spends much of her time reading in the various pubs of Stoke Newington and engaging in a long-standing emotional feud with their disgruntled cat, Welles. She works in publishing.
Love by the Book is her debut novel.
At twenty-two, she made the move to London to do an MA in Modern Literature at University College London. She has lived there happily for ten years, though she still adamantly refuses to eat a scotch egg. Before meeting her fiancé, she spent much of her time trawling the London dating scene for clean, non-sociopathic sexual partners and blogging about it, which became the inspiration for her first novel.
These days, she spends much of her time reading in the various pubs of Stoke Newington and engaging in a long-standing emotional feud with their disgruntled cat, Welles. She works in publishing.
Love by the Book is her debut novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 303 reviews
August 28, 2020
When I first heard about The One That Got Away few months ago I was very excited.
The premise sounded like something right up my alley and the gorgeous cover made it even more appealing.
Saying that I was happy when I got a chance to read an early copy of this novel would probably be an understatement. I was beyond thrilled.
As you can probably imagine, when it comes to my expectations for this book, they were pretty high.
But guess what?
I finished this book satisfied with what I read.
The One That Got Away follows the story of Ruby, a woman in her early thirties who has to attend her sister's wedding where she'll meet Ethan, her ex boyfriend and the only man she ever loved, who she broke up with ten years ago.
Will the feeling she once felt come back to light or is it really over with her and Ethan?
I had so much fun reading this book.
The writing style was pretty good and easy to read, with fine sense of humor and pop culture references it made the reading experience rather pleasurable.
The story is told in, to me, somewhat unusual way. It follows two different times simply reffered as Now and Then.
Now is written in first person, from Ruby's point of view.
Then is written in third person and it tells the story of Ruby and Ethan's relationship.
My favorite part when it comes to The One That Got Away are characters Melissa Pimentel created.
They were believable, gray as I like to say, with their good and bed sides that made them realistic.
While I was reading about their lives I couldn't help but feel like I knew them already.
I welcomed that feeling because it, in some strange way, reminded me of home.
My favorite was definitely Ruby's father who would probaby go on some reader's nerves, but from my perspective he was captured like the most realistic one. I think Pimentel dosed the right amount of his greedines, his atypicall sense of humor, the way he cared about people close to him and brang one certenly interesting and lifelike character to life.
I'd also like to mention that I liked Ruby's and Piper's relationship with their stepmother.
The story takes place in Edinburgh.
I was never there, but the way the author described that place, with all the castles and nature, made me go and google images of that city.
This book did not just put me into happy place, but, at times, it also wretched my heart.
According to publisher, The One That Got Away is a „A smart, funny and modern retelling of Jane Austen's Persuasion.“
In my opinion, they got it right. It was smart, and it was funny.
I can't say how close to original Persuasion it is because I have never read it.
But I can tell you that bacause I haven't read it, I wasn't sure how the story's going to end, and it made me nervous. The closer to the end I got, the more and more I was afraid of absence of Happily Ever After I so wanted to happen'.
In the end, I was satisfied with the way the story ended.
Overall, this was pretty enjoyable read that I would recommend to women's fiction fans.
I'm not sure how long the story will stay with readers after they finish it, but I am pretty sure that they will have a pretty good time while reading this novel.
Read this and more reviews on my blog: https://bookdustmagic.com
The premise sounded like something right up my alley and the gorgeous cover made it even more appealing.
Saying that I was happy when I got a chance to read an early copy of this novel would probably be an understatement. I was beyond thrilled.
As you can probably imagine, when it comes to my expectations for this book, they were pretty high.
But guess what?
I finished this book satisfied with what I read.
The One That Got Away follows the story of Ruby, a woman in her early thirties who has to attend her sister's wedding where she'll meet Ethan, her ex boyfriend and the only man she ever loved, who she broke up with ten years ago.
Will the feeling she once felt come back to light or is it really over with her and Ethan?
I had so much fun reading this book.
The writing style was pretty good and easy to read, with fine sense of humor and pop culture references it made the reading experience rather pleasurable.
The story is told in, to me, somewhat unusual way. It follows two different times simply reffered as Now and Then.
Now is written in first person, from Ruby's point of view.
Then is written in third person and it tells the story of Ruby and Ethan's relationship.
My favorite part when it comes to The One That Got Away are characters Melissa Pimentel created.
They were believable, gray as I like to say, with their good and bed sides that made them realistic.
While I was reading about their lives I couldn't help but feel like I knew them already.
I welcomed that feeling because it, in some strange way, reminded me of home.
My favorite was definitely Ruby's father who would probaby go on some reader's nerves, but from my perspective he was captured like the most realistic one. I think Pimentel dosed the right amount of his greedines, his atypicall sense of humor, the way he cared about people close to him and brang one certenly interesting and lifelike character to life.
I'd also like to mention that I liked Ruby's and Piper's relationship with their stepmother.
The story takes place in Edinburgh.
I was never there, but the way the author described that place, with all the castles and nature, made me go and google images of that city.
This book did not just put me into happy place, but, at times, it also wretched my heart.
According to publisher, The One That Got Away is a „A smart, funny and modern retelling of Jane Austen's Persuasion.“
In my opinion, they got it right. It was smart, and it was funny.
I can't say how close to original Persuasion it is because I have never read it.
But I can tell you that bacause I haven't read it, I wasn't sure how the story's going to end, and it made me nervous. The closer to the end I got, the more and more I was afraid of absence of Happily Ever After I so wanted to happen'.
In the end, I was satisfied with the way the story ended.
Overall, this was pretty enjoyable read that I would recommend to women's fiction fans.
I'm not sure how long the story will stay with readers after they finish it, but I am pretty sure that they will have a pretty good time while reading this novel.
Read this and more reviews on my blog: https://bookdustmagic.com
May 29, 2020
Ruby is forced to face the past when she attends her sisters wedding. She knows she will have to face Ethan, the only man she truly loved.
Ruby is almost living her dream life. She has recently been promoted at work. Her sole focus has been on her career.
Ethan is now a successful, wealthy businessman. Ethan was distraught after their breakup and does not want to make the same mistake again.
This is a nice, easy, true love story. It has that feel good feeling you get while reading.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Penguin UK - Michael Joseph and the author Melissa Pimentel for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Ruby is almost living her dream life. She has recently been promoted at work. Her sole focus has been on her career.
Ethan is now a successful, wealthy businessman. Ethan was distraught after their breakup and does not want to make the same mistake again.
This is a nice, easy, true love story. It has that feel good feeling you get while reading.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Penguin UK - Michael Joseph and the author Melissa Pimentel for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
August 18, 2017
I've loved Jane Austen since I read my first book by her years ago and after that, I was hooked and had to read all of them. And while Pride and Prejudice will always be a favorite of mine, Persuasion is right up there with it. It is hard to resist Captain Wentworth and all his charm.
I am never one to turn down the chance to visit an old classic with a new modern spin and even though ore often than not I've been burned by Pride and Prejudice retellings, I thought it was just about time that I read a Persuasion retelling.
This was a cute and a very much modern take on the classic and while it was a good weekend escape read, it didn't quite live up to Anne and Wentworth but then again, that really is something very much hard to accomplish.
I sort of wish the author instead of calling this a retelling would have just called it a second chance romance because after all, more than anything, that is what this story is and I think lovers of Austen. While they will like it, will have a hard time comparing the two stories with each other and not feeling the slightest bit disappointed that it isn't something more.
But if you can look past all of that and instead focus on the heart of the story, two people who meet too young and just weren't ready for each other yet, to later come back together and try again, you will enjoy this story and maybe even love it.
*ARC was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review*
I am never one to turn down the chance to visit an old classic with a new modern spin and even though ore often than not I've been burned by Pride and Prejudice retellings, I thought it was just about time that I read a Persuasion retelling.
This was a cute and a very much modern take on the classic and while it was a good weekend escape read, it didn't quite live up to Anne and Wentworth but then again, that really is something very much hard to accomplish.
I sort of wish the author instead of calling this a retelling would have just called it a second chance romance because after all, more than anything, that is what this story is and I think lovers of Austen. While they will like it, will have a hard time comparing the two stories with each other and not feeling the slightest bit disappointed that it isn't something more.
But if you can look past all of that and instead focus on the heart of the story, two people who meet too young and just weren't ready for each other yet, to later come back together and try again, you will enjoy this story and maybe even love it.
*ARC was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review*
July 13, 2017
ARC requested through Netgalley, and kindly provided by St. Martin's Press in exchange for an honest review.
I’ve heard this described as a modern telling of “Persuasion” by Jane Austen and I guess I can see it. This was a cute and charming “second chance” romance that just slightly missed the mark for me, through no fault in the writing.
I am quite particular in how I like stories to unfold. I don’t often like flashbacks unless they are told sporadically, out of order and only in spurts to help unfold something happening in the current plot. In this story, we went back and forth between Ethan and Ruby “now”, apart for ten years, to Ethan and Ruby “then”, falling in love, in chronological order. This didn’t work for me because I was very invested in the “now” portion of Ethan and Ruby’s story that I felt like skimming when it went back to tell their history. I would have liked it better if we instead got glimpses of how they came to fall in love and subsequently break up, while developing the current plot. The whole “if he knew the truth about the breakup” was mentioned so many times, almost like a taunt, which irritated me.
The angst leading up to and including their first meeting after over 10 years was almost too much for me. We only got Ruby’s point of view so I was constantly stressed over Ethan’s apparent indifferent feelings. And after all the angst, when the “truth” came out, the story seemed to resolve and end quite abruptly. I didn’t buy Ruby’s reason for breaking up nor did I buy why she did what she did leading up to the breakup.
Like this read but didn’t love it.
I’ve heard this described as a modern telling of “Persuasion” by Jane Austen and I guess I can see it. This was a cute and charming “second chance” romance that just slightly missed the mark for me, through no fault in the writing.
“I’m going to channel that “cool girl” thing from Gone Girl.”
“You know that character was a sociopath, right?”
I am quite particular in how I like stories to unfold. I don’t often like flashbacks unless they are told sporadically, out of order and only in spurts to help unfold something happening in the current plot. In this story, we went back and forth between Ethan and Ruby “now”, apart for ten years, to Ethan and Ruby “then”, falling in love, in chronological order. This didn’t work for me because I was very invested in the “now” portion of Ethan and Ruby’s story that I felt like skimming when it went back to tell their history. I would have liked it better if we instead got glimpses of how they came to fall in love and subsequently break up, while developing the current plot. The whole “if he knew the truth about the breakup” was mentioned so many times, almost like a taunt, which irritated me.
“I like you,” he whispered to her.
“I like you, too,” she whispered back. “Kind of a lot.”
“Looks like we’re both in trouble.”
The angst leading up to and including their first meeting after over 10 years was almost too much for me. We only got Ruby’s point of view so I was constantly stressed over Ethan’s apparent indifferent feelings. And after all the angst, when the “truth” came out, the story seemed to resolve and end quite abruptly. I didn’t buy Ruby’s reason for breaking up nor did I buy why she did what she did leading up to the breakup.
Like this read but didn’t love it.
December 1, 2017
Thank goodness for Instagram, because seriously, sometimes I find more books there than I do on Goodreads! Who knew?! So, I came across this book, looked it up on Goodreads for more info and borrowed the book! Um hello, it’s a modern retelling of Jane Austen’s Persuasion! Now, usually, I am not pleased with these modern retellings of any of Jane Austen’s books because well, usually they are just insults to the originals and unfortunately this was no exception.
The problem with these modern retellings and part of the problem with this book is they are all watered-down versions stripped of any depth or complexity in character and story.
Here we have our modern Captain Frederick Wentworth who in this book is Ethan. I love the name Ethan and I overall really liked him in the book. But again he lacked a certain depth and aloofness that Wentworth had. But overall Ethan wasn’t a terrible replacement. A bartender-turned-entrepreneur through an app that he helped create before apps were even really possible/available. Trying to move on from the “love of his life” he hardened his heart against Ruby our Anne Elliot. Oh, just so you know? His letter at the end which is the epic point of the original? total let-down in this book.
I had a hard time connecting or liking Ruby as our Anne Elliot. She seemed miserable. She was just lacking in so much… poise, real depth, insight and maturity at some points that the original Anne had. Overall I just didn’t like her. By the end of the book, I felt like she was a coward and didn’t deserve Ethan. Yeah yeah I know it’s fiction and we should forgive and it was all a mistake. Well since it is fiction, I can be as judgemental as I want with my characters and so there. 😉
Overall I felt nothing, this book didn’t make me ache for the characters or story. I had a hard time liking Ruby at all, Ethan was okay and the rest of the secondary characters came up lacking.
Sexual Content: moderate
Language: heavy
Drugs/Alcohol: mild
Violence: mild
The problem with these modern retellings and part of the problem with this book is they are all watered-down versions stripped of any depth or complexity in character and story.
Here we have our modern Captain Frederick Wentworth who in this book is Ethan. I love the name Ethan and I overall really liked him in the book. But again he lacked a certain depth and aloofness that Wentworth had. But overall Ethan wasn’t a terrible replacement. A bartender-turned-entrepreneur through an app that he helped create before apps were even really possible/available. Trying to move on from the “love of his life” he hardened his heart against Ruby our Anne Elliot. Oh, just so you know? His letter at the end which is the epic point of the original? total let-down in this book.
I had a hard time connecting or liking Ruby as our Anne Elliot. She seemed miserable. She was just lacking in so much… poise, real depth, insight and maturity at some points that the original Anne had. Overall I just didn’t like her. By the end of the book, I felt like she was a coward and didn’t deserve Ethan. Yeah yeah I know it’s fiction and we should forgive and it was all a mistake. Well since it is fiction, I can be as judgemental as I want with my characters and so there. 😉
Overall I felt nothing, this book didn’t make me ache for the characters or story. I had a hard time liking Ruby at all, Ethan was okay and the rest of the secondary characters came up lacking.
Sexual Content: moderate
Language: heavy
Drugs/Alcohol: mild
Violence: mild
August 23, 2017
Seeing as this was pitched as a modern-day Persuasion retelling, I couldn't wait to start it. I'm a sucker for any book inspired by Jane Austen, so I had some high expectations going into this one.
Ten years ago, Ruby and Ethan were madly in love. Now, not so much. Not having seen each other in years, Ruby and Ethan are thrown together for Ruby's sister's wedding in England. Ethan has definitely changed over the years and has gone from a bartender to a millionaire who has a lot going for him. Ruby tries to convince herself that she loves her life in New York, but spending time in England has her reevaluating her past and where she wants her future to go.
Like I said, I had some pretty big expectations going into this one. Sadly, from the start, I could care less about Ruby's character. There was something about her that just rubbed me the wrong way and I did not like how much she just hated her life. It had been TEN YEARS since she had moved to New York and she still wasn't content. Girl, take control of your life! She spent pretty much the whole book complaining and being super jealous of anyone who would talk to Ethan. I felt like the reason she broke it off with Ethan seemed like it was teated as not that big of a deal. The event that caused the break up sounded so wrong yet no one mentioned that or delved deeper into that event (Sorry to sound super vague, I just don't want to spoil anything).
Also, there were plot points that seemed to be done for the sake of the plot, which I am never a fan of. I want to say that almost five times either one of them was going to finally confront the other about the past, but someone or something conveniently interrupted them. It was fine the first time, but then just got redundant and annoying. I wasn't even in love with any of the side characters and the ending was super rushed with nothing really being talked about or fleshed out.
Overall, this was a huge miss for me. This took over a week for me to get through because I had no motivation to pick it up. I really didn't click with the main character and just got more annoyed with each passing page. While this had potential to be another great Jane Austen inspired novel, it just wasn't for me.
Ten years ago, Ruby and Ethan were madly in love. Now, not so much. Not having seen each other in years, Ruby and Ethan are thrown together for Ruby's sister's wedding in England. Ethan has definitely changed over the years and has gone from a bartender to a millionaire who has a lot going for him. Ruby tries to convince herself that she loves her life in New York, but spending time in England has her reevaluating her past and where she wants her future to go.
Like I said, I had some pretty big expectations going into this one. Sadly, from the start, I could care less about Ruby's character. There was something about her that just rubbed me the wrong way and I did not like how much she just hated her life. It had been TEN YEARS since she had moved to New York and she still wasn't content. Girl, take control of your life! She spent pretty much the whole book complaining and being super jealous of anyone who would talk to Ethan. I felt like the reason she broke it off with Ethan seemed like it was teated as not that big of a deal. The event that caused the break up sounded so wrong yet no one mentioned that or delved deeper into that event (Sorry to sound super vague, I just don't want to spoil anything).
Also, there were plot points that seemed to be done for the sake of the plot, which I am never a fan of. I want to say that almost five times either one of them was going to finally confront the other about the past, but someone or something conveniently interrupted them. It was fine the first time, but then just got redundant and annoying. I wasn't even in love with any of the side characters and the ending was super rushed with nothing really being talked about or fleshed out.
Overall, this was a huge miss for me. This took over a week for me to get through because I had no motivation to pick it up. I really didn't click with the main character and just got more annoyed with each passing page. While this had potential to be another great Jane Austen inspired novel, it just wasn't for me.
August 20, 2017
Like most readers I picked up The One That Got Away due to its marketing as a modern retelling of Jane Austen's Persuasion. The One That Got Away had some of the themes from the original, but quite frankly did not live up to expectations. This was light and fluffy, starting strong, but ultimately devolved into a story that I ended up skimming by the end. Unlike the original, I thought the reason for Ruby and Ethan's separation were rather contrived and kind of dark in comparison to the rest of the books light and fluffy tone. And, those reasons were wrapped up way too quickly to be satisfying.
The One That Got Away was a disappointing read for me. Yes, there was some great flashes of wit, but it didn't live up to my expectations or the depth that is apparent in its source material. Couple that with an unsatisfactory ending, and I just can't say that I enjoyed the book.
*Review copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley.
The One That Got Away was a disappointing read for me. Yes, there was some great flashes of wit, but it didn't live up to my expectations or the depth that is apparent in its source material. Couple that with an unsatisfactory ending, and I just can't say that I enjoyed the book.
*Review copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley.
March 20, 2018
THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY is a book that I was interested in reading because I had read that it was a modern retelling of PERSUASION by Jane Austen. I love modern retellings. I usually don't read much contemporary romance fiction, but I have a weakness for retellings so I was thrilled to get the chance to read this book.
READ THE REST OF THE REVIEW OVER AT FRESH FICTION!
READ THE REST OF THE REVIEW OVER AT FRESH FICTION!
October 19, 2019
4.5/5
I love that The One That Got Away by Melissa Pimentel is pitched as a Persuasion retelling, because I think that’s one of the most fun things about this story. I think it’s a loose retelling, but the nod to Jane Austen is most definitely in there. This story is basically two people from a past relationship that are reunited after several years–under somewhat strained circumstances-and there are still feelings there, at least on one side. To me, the fun in reading this was wondering 1) what happened to break Ruby and Ethan up in the first place and 2) would they be able to put their differences aside and resume their relationship from here forward.
This story is told in alternating time perspectives: a “Then” and a “Now.” I like this because it gives multiple layers of insight into both Ruby and Ethan as characters, but it also serves to create a slow, rising tension. I was able to get to know the “Then” versions of Ruby and Ethan from about ten years ago, when they were younger people in that frantic type of love that accompanies life during the time when many of us are leaving home and making our way out into the world. Ruby is excited about this part of her life and plans on a big move to New York City. She knows that she wants something more than the small town where she and Ethan live, but Ethan isn’t convinced that is the life for him. Ethan comes from a family that is less socially “loud” than Ruby’s, and he is happy where he lives. Ethan’s family has less money and they are content with the choices they’ve made, even though those choices are much less glamorous than the ones that Ruby’s family has made. When the inevitable happens and Ruby moves to New York, the distance strains their relationship, and something goes horribly wrong.
By the time I figured out what happened to the two, I was already fully committed to their status as a couple, and I was devastated. My heart broke along with theirs. I wondered if they could ever survive something like that–which was interesting because parallel to the “Then” story is the “Now” POV, so I already knew what was happening in the present.
The “Now” POV takes place after the two have been apart for about a decade. Over the years, Ethan’s financial and social situation has changed and life is treating him well, but Ruby is still devastated by the thing went down years before. New York isn’t as enchanting as it once was and Ruby’s life isn’t as thrilling as she imagined it would be. Something is missing. The fact that Ruby and Ethan have been brought together to the wedding of mutual loved ones is awkward and uncomfortable. And still, Ruby is inwardly thrilled because she still feels a spark of something that may still be there.
I feel like the “Now” timeline is the stronger of the two and perhaps the most interesting because there is the most hope there for the future. I also love the characterization, the setting, and the backdrop of Ruby’s sister’s wedding.
So, yes, there is definitely a nod to Jane Austen’s Persuasion, especially since these two have been brought back together after years apart, Ethan is no longer economically challenged like he was before, and Ruby is still pining away for him in her heart. There is rising tension throughout the “Now” POV as Ruby analyzes nearly every move and word that Ethan makes, trying to figure out if he means this or that or whatever. I’ve seen where some reviewers don’t particularly love this because they think it makes Ruby look a little on the catty side, but I really found it to be very much like those people that are very human and heartbroken and dying inside, just having a fit to know if the one they love maybe, possibly loves them back.
The thing that I loved most about the book was also one of the most stressful: the increasing tension. Both the “Then” and “Now” timelines have this slow build over the course of the story. By the time I got to the end, I was about to have a royal fit over the two major conflicts, which were apparently about to be revealed/resolved at about the same time. I loved this, but it was deliciously brutal. I wish I could say that I had tons of faith in Now-Ruby and Now-Ethan all along the way and that I just knew what the outcome would be, but I truly wasn’t 100% sure what would happen with these two until it actually did.
Selfishly–selfishly–when the book ended, I wish there was more to the story. I definitely wasn’t ready to say goodbye to these characters, including the secondary cast. I grew so attached to them and everything that happened to them throughout the course of the story–happy, sad, and funny. The secondaries in particular were so completely charming.
The One That Got Away by Melissa Pimentel is a book for my rereads shelf, a book for the stressful times in life, a book to take me away to another place. Coincidentally, that is just what I used the book for this time: I was SO stressed and busy during the couple of weeks that I read the book–I mean, I was completely drowning with unexpected life stuff–so I read a little bit of this every night until I finished after a couple of weeks. Instead of flying through it like I normally would a book this size, I took my time and really got to know these characters, and I loved it so much. I think this is one of my favorites from this year and I’d love to add more like it to the stacks that I’m reading.
I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you, St. Martin's Press!
Find this review and more like it on my blog, Into the Hall of Books!
I love that The One That Got Away by Melissa Pimentel is pitched as a Persuasion retelling, because I think that’s one of the most fun things about this story. I think it’s a loose retelling, but the nod to Jane Austen is most definitely in there. This story is basically two people from a past relationship that are reunited after several years–under somewhat strained circumstances-and there are still feelings there, at least on one side. To me, the fun in reading this was wondering 1) what happened to break Ruby and Ethan up in the first place and 2) would they be able to put their differences aside and resume their relationship from here forward.
This story is told in alternating time perspectives: a “Then” and a “Now.” I like this because it gives multiple layers of insight into both Ruby and Ethan as characters, but it also serves to create a slow, rising tension. I was able to get to know the “Then” versions of Ruby and Ethan from about ten years ago, when they were younger people in that frantic type of love that accompanies life during the time when many of us are leaving home and making our way out into the world. Ruby is excited about this part of her life and plans on a big move to New York City. She knows that she wants something more than the small town where she and Ethan live, but Ethan isn’t convinced that is the life for him. Ethan comes from a family that is less socially “loud” than Ruby’s, and he is happy where he lives. Ethan’s family has less money and they are content with the choices they’ve made, even though those choices are much less glamorous than the ones that Ruby’s family has made. When the inevitable happens and Ruby moves to New York, the distance strains their relationship, and something goes horribly wrong.
By the time I figured out what happened to the two, I was already fully committed to their status as a couple, and I was devastated. My heart broke along with theirs. I wondered if they could ever survive something like that–which was interesting because parallel to the “Then” story is the “Now” POV, so I already knew what was happening in the present.
The “Now” POV takes place after the two have been apart for about a decade. Over the years, Ethan’s financial and social situation has changed and life is treating him well, but Ruby is still devastated by the thing went down years before. New York isn’t as enchanting as it once was and Ruby’s life isn’t as thrilling as she imagined it would be. Something is missing. The fact that Ruby and Ethan have been brought together to the wedding of mutual loved ones is awkward and uncomfortable. And still, Ruby is inwardly thrilled because she still feels a spark of something that may still be there.
I feel like the “Now” timeline is the stronger of the two and perhaps the most interesting because there is the most hope there for the future. I also love the characterization, the setting, and the backdrop of Ruby’s sister’s wedding.
So, yes, there is definitely a nod to Jane Austen’s Persuasion, especially since these two have been brought back together after years apart, Ethan is no longer economically challenged like he was before, and Ruby is still pining away for him in her heart. There is rising tension throughout the “Now” POV as Ruby analyzes nearly every move and word that Ethan makes, trying to figure out if he means this or that or whatever. I’ve seen where some reviewers don’t particularly love this because they think it makes Ruby look a little on the catty side, but I really found it to be very much like those people that are very human and heartbroken and dying inside, just having a fit to know if the one they love maybe, possibly loves them back.
The thing that I loved most about the book was also one of the most stressful: the increasing tension. Both the “Then” and “Now” timelines have this slow build over the course of the story. By the time I got to the end, I was about to have a royal fit over the two major conflicts, which were apparently about to be revealed/resolved at about the same time. I loved this, but it was deliciously brutal. I wish I could say that I had tons of faith in Now-Ruby and Now-Ethan all along the way and that I just knew what the outcome would be, but I truly wasn’t 100% sure what would happen with these two until it actually did.
Selfishly–selfishly–when the book ended, I wish there was more to the story. I definitely wasn’t ready to say goodbye to these characters, including the secondary cast. I grew so attached to them and everything that happened to them throughout the course of the story–happy, sad, and funny. The secondaries in particular were so completely charming.
The One That Got Away by Melissa Pimentel is a book for my rereads shelf, a book for the stressful times in life, a book to take me away to another place. Coincidentally, that is just what I used the book for this time: I was SO stressed and busy during the couple of weeks that I read the book–I mean, I was completely drowning with unexpected life stuff–so I read a little bit of this every night until I finished after a couple of weeks. Instead of flying through it like I normally would a book this size, I took my time and really got to know these characters, and I loved it so much. I think this is one of my favorites from this year and I’d love to add more like it to the stacks that I’m reading.
I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you, St. Martin's Press!
Find this review and more like it on my blog, Into the Hall of Books!
September 4, 2016
Ruby is always on the go, but is forced to stop and face her past, when she attends her sister's wedding. She knows that she will have to see Ethan, the only guy she has ever loved.
I won a copy of this book from a Goodreads giveaway.
This is a nice book.
Each chapter is either "Then", slowly revealing how Ruby and Ethan got together and why they broke up ten years ago. Or "Now", with Ruby as a workaholic in New York, trying not to pine over the now-millionaire Ethan.
Ruby's sister is determined to have the perfect wedding, which involves flying their American families over to the North East of England, to a lovely castle setting. Which is quite the contrast to the bustling New York life Ruby has been living.
There are unresolved family problems, that all come to a head and have to be faced. I particularly liked the dynamics between the girls and their step-mother.
The characters are all pleasant enough. They are all quite real and believable, and play their parts. There was no one that stood out as particularly interesting.
I liked that Ruby has spent years toughening herself up so she can be completely independent. It is hard for her to let anyone in, as there's no room in her work-based life.
Ethan is charming and confident and universally liked (well, now that he's a millionaire). He's level-headed and good at controlling his emotions and handling difficult situations. Talents which he had as a poor bartender.
The downside.
Every part of this book has been done before, and done better.
And I don't just mean the original Persuasion, but the numerous books and films that share the tropes, cliches and characters of "The One That Got Away".
Ruby's angst for seeing Ethan again wasn't angsty enough.
Ethan's... whatever Ethan was feeling wasn't apparent enough. I couldn't tell if he was angry, frustrated, depressed... I had to assume that he was indifferent.
There was no conflict in their reunion. Sure, there were distractions, but it was clear it was padding for time.
Madison and Chris were never going to distract Ethan and Ruby.
The "Then" sections were without excitement or surprise. You kinda know what if going to happen all the way. The only big reveal - why Ruby felt she had to break up with Ethan - was dragged out too long, and I felt it was told too late in the story.
I didn't find it particularly witty, funny or dramatic.
So all in all, a nice, light read, but doesn't stand out.
I won a copy of this book from a Goodreads giveaway.
This is a nice book.
Each chapter is either "Then", slowly revealing how Ruby and Ethan got together and why they broke up ten years ago. Or "Now", with Ruby as a workaholic in New York, trying not to pine over the now-millionaire Ethan.
Ruby's sister is determined to have the perfect wedding, which involves flying their American families over to the North East of England, to a lovely castle setting. Which is quite the contrast to the bustling New York life Ruby has been living.
There are unresolved family problems, that all come to a head and have to be faced. I particularly liked the dynamics between the girls and their step-mother.
The characters are all pleasant enough. They are all quite real and believable, and play their parts. There was no one that stood out as particularly interesting.
I liked that Ruby has spent years toughening herself up so she can be completely independent. It is hard for her to let anyone in, as there's no room in her work-based life.
Ethan is charming and confident and universally liked (well, now that he's a millionaire). He's level-headed and good at controlling his emotions and handling difficult situations. Talents which he had as a poor bartender.
The downside.
Every part of this book has been done before, and done better.
And I don't just mean the original Persuasion, but the numerous books and films that share the tropes, cliches and characters of "The One That Got Away".
Ruby's angst for seeing Ethan again wasn't angsty enough.
Ethan's... whatever Ethan was feeling wasn't apparent enough. I couldn't tell if he was angry, frustrated, depressed... I had to assume that he was indifferent.
There was no conflict in their reunion. Sure, there were distractions, but it was clear it was padding for time.
Madison and Chris were never going to distract Ethan and Ruby.
The "Then" sections were without excitement or surprise. You kinda know what if going to happen all the way. The only big reveal - why Ruby felt she had to break up with Ethan - was dragged out too long, and I felt it was told too late in the story.
I didn't find it particularly witty, funny or dramatic.
So all in all, a nice, light read, but doesn't stand out.
November 16, 2017
Ruby Atlas works in New York City at an advertising firm. She does well for herself and is focusing on her career. Her sister, Piper, is getting married, but instead of marrying in their hometown, Piper has an elaborate wedding at an English castle. Yes, a castle. Ruby is excited for her sister, but there's a wedding guest attending that she dreads seeing. It's her ex-boyfriend, Ethan, who she never really got over. To complicate matters further, Ethan is best friends with the groom, so there is definitely no avoiding him. Plus, he isn't the unsuccessful guy that he once was when Ruby dated him. He is now super successful...like on the cover of magazines successful. This really sets Ruby off as she doesn't know how to act around him and before long she has to come to terms with how she feels about him. Will there still be sparks between the two? Melissa Pimentel's The One That Got Away is a delightful retelling of Jane Austen's Persuasion.
Read the rest of my review here:
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Read the rest of my review here:
http://www.confessionsofabookaddict.c...
March 26, 2025
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December 22, 2016
4.5 stars.
'The One That Got Away' is about Ethan and Ruby. They meet in their early twenties, fall in love one summer and have a very happy relationship for some time. Everything is just perfect, but after Ruby moves to New York for her first real job and Ethan gets left behind, things start to change and their relationship falls apart.
Now, ten years later, Ruby is alone and always busy with work. One day, she meets Ethan again. At a wedding, of all things. Because Ethan's best friend decided to marry Ruby's little sister...
The story was really nice and Ethan and Ruby were both great people (most of the time). I liked, that the story was told from two different points of view: 'Now' and 'Then', so we could slowly discover why their perfect relationship broke apart back then.
The ending was nice, though not cheesy enough for my liking. All of it was not cheesy enough. What I liked the most was the part where they first became a couple and the weeks after that, I guess, because that time was still very cute and lovely.
In my opinion, their reunion could've been a bit more... emotional? Well, it was emotional and everything I guess, but not quite right, if that makes sense. I don't know. Emotional might not be the right word, too. And I think there was something missing for me. I just can't quite put my finger on what that might be.
That sounds totally unsatisfying and bad but it wasn't. It was still a very nice and easy story, without any problems that were too big or something. I really liked the book, only the finishing touches were missing.
'The One That Got Away' is about Ethan and Ruby. They meet in their early twenties, fall in love one summer and have a very happy relationship for some time. Everything is just perfect, but after Ruby moves to New York for her first real job and Ethan gets left behind, things start to change and their relationship falls apart.
Now, ten years later, Ruby is alone and always busy with work. One day, she meets Ethan again. At a wedding, of all things. Because Ethan's best friend decided to marry Ruby's little sister...
The story was really nice and Ethan and Ruby were both great people (most of the time). I liked, that the story was told from two different points of view: 'Now' and 'Then', so we could slowly discover why their perfect relationship broke apart back then.
The ending was nice, though not cheesy enough for my liking. All of it was not cheesy enough. What I liked the most was the part where they first became a couple and the weeks after that, I guess, because that time was still very cute and lovely.
In my opinion, their reunion could've been a bit more... emotional? Well, it was emotional and everything I guess, but not quite right, if that makes sense. I don't know. Emotional might not be the right word, too. And I think there was something missing for me. I just can't quite put my finger on what that might be.
That sounds totally unsatisfying and bad but it wasn't. It was still a very nice and easy story, without any problems that were too big or something. I really liked the book, only the finishing touches were missing.
April 24, 2017
The story alternates between flashbacks of the past and now, ten years later.
The past varies between Ruby and Ethan's point of view, with some pieces told from both angles. You read about how they met, had their wonderful time together and how/ why they finally drifted apart.
The present is told from Ruby's point of view plus some random emails sent from Ethan to his father or business partner. The purpose of those emails was kind of obscure to me, though. Anyway, in the present, Ruby and Ethan's paths cross again after ten years at her sister's/ his best mate's wedding.
Although I kind of liked the alternation between past and present, it was a little too much at the same time. I couldn't really 'get into' either of these storylines as you always get torn out again after each chapter so you have to settle into the other 'time' again. And I'd have preferred to have more of the present part.
So maybe the following problem was because I couldn't entirely connect with the story - but Ruby and Ethan's reunion didn't convey enough emotions. And that's a pity. The book really had potential to be great. It worked better in the flashbacks part, but as I said before: the present day was more important, I think.
The title implies that they get together in the end - no surprise here. But if you isolate the present day chapters, it's just a cold back and forth of those two, taking turns in extinguishing any little spark of feelings that dare to rise for the respective other person. Until they finally get together in the end. At some random unromantic point after both had their individual moment of enlightenment.
The past varies between Ruby and Ethan's point of view, with some pieces told from both angles. You read about how they met, had their wonderful time together and how/ why they finally drifted apart.
The present is told from Ruby's point of view plus some random emails sent from Ethan to his father or business partner. The purpose of those emails was kind of obscure to me, though. Anyway, in the present, Ruby and Ethan's paths cross again after ten years at her sister's/ his best mate's wedding.
Although I kind of liked the alternation between past and present, it was a little too much at the same time. I couldn't really 'get into' either of these storylines as you always get torn out again after each chapter so you have to settle into the other 'time' again. And I'd have preferred to have more of the present part.
So maybe the following problem was because I couldn't entirely connect with the story - but Ruby and Ethan's reunion didn't convey enough emotions. And that's a pity. The book really had potential to be great. It worked better in the flashbacks part, but as I said before: the present day was more important, I think.
The title implies that they get together in the end - no surprise here. But if you isolate the present day chapters, it's just a cold back and forth of those two, taking turns in extinguishing any little spark of feelings that dare to rise for the respective other person. Until they finally get together in the end. At some random unromantic point after both had their individual moment of enlightenment.
February 19, 2017
More reviews on www.snazzybooks.com
The One That Got Away is a fun, reflective and sweet story about lost loves, missed chances and the chance to start all over again.
The characters are likeable, though at the beginning of the novel I found main character Ruby a little abrasive and overly short with Ethan, but she really grew on me as the novel continued. Her sister Piper is pretty spoilt and annoying at times, but Ruby and everyone else knows this – that's just how she is – and her dad is crackers most of the time, but in a loveable, sweet way. No one is perfect – many have their little faults (though Ethan does seem rather perfect!) which is much more relatable and realistic, or so I felt. You can't help but warm to the characters!
Ruby and Ethan seem so well matched (as they always do, in romantic novels, but still!) and it was really sad sometimes to read about their missed chance to stay together, and how things started to go wrong. I felt quite emotional in some parts! I also enjoyed the way the novel flicks between the two timeframes – then and now – and was intrigued to find out what exactly Ruby was feeling so guilty about.
There are lots of references to things that happened back in what was presumably the 00's, and I enjoyed picking up on little comments and inclusions that took me back to that era when I was a teenager! The novel is also set in Edinburgh, whilst most of the characters are American, so it's quite amusing to read about some of the differences between cultures and places.
The One That Got Away has many of the typical tropes of the romance genre, but it's really well done and avoids veering into cheesiness too much. The writing flows well and it's really easy to read, so I breezed through it in no time. Though some parts are quite predictable, but I think that's expected of many books in this genre, and none of that takes away from what is a sweet, fun story that will leave you feeling happy and satisfied as you reach the last page!
[Rating: 3.5/5 - bumped to 4]
Many thanks to Michael Joseph for providing a copy of this book on which I chose to write an honest and unbiased review.
The One That Got Away is a fun, reflective and sweet story about lost loves, missed chances and the chance to start all over again.
The characters are likeable, though at the beginning of the novel I found main character Ruby a little abrasive and overly short with Ethan, but she really grew on me as the novel continued. Her sister Piper is pretty spoilt and annoying at times, but Ruby and everyone else knows this – that's just how she is – and her dad is crackers most of the time, but in a loveable, sweet way. No one is perfect – many have their little faults (though Ethan does seem rather perfect!) which is much more relatable and realistic, or so I felt. You can't help but warm to the characters!
Ruby and Ethan seem so well matched (as they always do, in romantic novels, but still!) and it was really sad sometimes to read about their missed chance to stay together, and how things started to go wrong. I felt quite emotional in some parts! I also enjoyed the way the novel flicks between the two timeframes – then and now – and was intrigued to find out what exactly Ruby was feeling so guilty about.
There are lots of references to things that happened back in what was presumably the 00's, and I enjoyed picking up on little comments and inclusions that took me back to that era when I was a teenager! The novel is also set in Edinburgh, whilst most of the characters are American, so it's quite amusing to read about some of the differences between cultures and places.
The One That Got Away has many of the typical tropes of the romance genre, but it's really well done and avoids veering into cheesiness too much. The writing flows well and it's really easy to read, so I breezed through it in no time. Though some parts are quite predictable, but I think that's expected of many books in this genre, and none of that takes away from what is a sweet, fun story that will leave you feeling happy and satisfied as you reach the last page!
[Rating: 3.5/5 - bumped to 4]
Many thanks to Michael Joseph for providing a copy of this book on which I chose to write an honest and unbiased review.
December 31, 2017
***This review has also been posted on Xpresso Reads
I've always regarded Persuasion as my favorite Jane Austen novel so when I heard about The One That Got Away, I was immediately intrigued. There is something about the angst of a second chance romance that always draws me in and I love seeing the various takes on the classic novel. I dove into The One That Got Away expecting to enjoy it and I am not sure I did? I am also not sure I didn't.
Retellings don't have to follow the original storyline word for word but in my opinion a good retelling is at least very aware of the word for word storyline and has a fun take on that story. I felt like The One That Got Away didn't really do that? It's biggest tribute to the novel was essentially the second chance romance with a couple of throwaway characters that were parallel to some from the original story.
I think if it wasn't marketed as a Persuasion retelling, I would have had different expectations and might have enjoyed the book more. To be fair though, my main problem with the book wasn't even that it doesn't really do much on the Persuasion end of things, it was that I didn't really like the main character.
Ruby seems very full of herself and makes lots of odd remarks. Some which are just completely inappropriate and in one instance she makes a jibe at millennials even though she is technically a millennial herself (FYI, not all young people are millennial, 1982-2002 gen are the millennial.) She also has a very weird way of approaching her relationship with Ethan (who is actually a great guy) both in the present and past and I just want her to get her shit together but don't have much of a desire to cheer her on.
Ethan is definitely the person I would want to cheer on and I really wish we actually got chapters from his perspective in the present. The story would have been much more interesting through his eyes and while I am rambling, can I just say that can we get a gender-swapped Persuasion over here?
Overall, I would not say that The One That Got Away was a terrible read because it wasn't. I actually read it very quickly and I am trash for second chance romances so I would say there were moments that I actually did enjoy it. I just think it might be much much much more suited for screen than for a book and I would probably enjoy it more on-screen than on-page.
Final Verdict: Don't read if you want a Persuasion retelling to blow you away, read if you just want a quick and easy chick lit novel to read.
Note that I received an advanced copy of this book for review.
I've always regarded Persuasion as my favorite Jane Austen novel so when I heard about The One That Got Away, I was immediately intrigued. There is something about the angst of a second chance romance that always draws me in and I love seeing the various takes on the classic novel. I dove into The One That Got Away expecting to enjoy it and I am not sure I did? I am also not sure I didn't.
Retellings don't have to follow the original storyline word for word but in my opinion a good retelling is at least very aware of the word for word storyline and has a fun take on that story. I felt like The One That Got Away didn't really do that? It's biggest tribute to the novel was essentially the second chance romance with a couple of throwaway characters that were parallel to some from the original story.
I think if it wasn't marketed as a Persuasion retelling, I would have had different expectations and might have enjoyed the book more. To be fair though, my main problem with the book wasn't even that it doesn't really do much on the Persuasion end of things, it was that I didn't really like the main character.
Ruby seems very full of herself and makes lots of odd remarks. Some which are just completely inappropriate and in one instance she makes a jibe at millennials even though she is technically a millennial herself (FYI, not all young people are millennial, 1982-2002 gen are the millennial.) She also has a very weird way of approaching her relationship with Ethan (who is actually a great guy) both in the present and past and I just want her to get her shit together but don't have much of a desire to cheer her on.
Ethan is definitely the person I would want to cheer on and I really wish we actually got chapters from his perspective in the present. The story would have been much more interesting through his eyes and while I am rambling, can I just say that can we get a gender-swapped Persuasion over here?
Overall, I would not say that The One That Got Away was a terrible read because it wasn't. I actually read it very quickly and I am trash for second chance romances so I would say there were moments that I actually did enjoy it. I just think it might be much much much more suited for screen than for a book and I would probably enjoy it more on-screen than on-page.
Final Verdict: Don't read if you want a Persuasion retelling to blow you away, read if you just want a quick and easy chick lit novel to read.
Note that I received an advanced copy of this book for review.
November 26, 2017
Right up until the last couple of chapters, this was actually enjoyable and not badly written and I like the author; she's similar to Sophie Kinsella in that she executes an easy read in a very good way. But I have to give this one star only because of its endorsement of rape culture. Yes, the big reveal is that the main character, in her first proper job at 22 years old, was taken out to a networking event by her older, married boss who she has consistently found to be creepy. The boss doesn't actually let her attend the networking event, and instead takes her to a bar where he gets her so drunk she blacks out and takes her to his apartment and rapes her. She feels guilty about this for a decade, but when she confides in her ex, he doesn't offer support but instead agrees that what she's done is 'horrible' but that he loves her too much to be angry. This may be a re-write of Persuasion, but in this day and age, treating a clear instance of rape like this is totally unacceptable.
October 28, 2019
I feel as though I have just wasted a couple of hours reading a book of blandness. I really liked the premise of the book and hoped to uncover juicy information and a compelling plot however this, Is what I did not get. There just wasn’t a spark there and the book is missing aspects that really make it even a moderately interesting one. It’s a shame.
Read
May 20, 2017Won in Goodreads Giveaways, not read - passed on.
September 7, 2017
3.5 stars
Unlike most Jane Austen fans, Pride and Prejudice is NOT my favorite by her Austen novel. Nor are the other more popular novels: Emma, or Sense and Sensibility. My favorite Jane Austen is the lesser known Persuasion.
Of course all of her novels are fantastic and her heroines memorable, but none stood out to me more than Anne Elliot and her ever so charming, Captain Wentworth. So when I saw that the novel by Melissa Pimentel was a retelling of Persuasion, I was all eyeballs.
Retellings are sometimes tricky….especially when it’s a retelling of a work by a beloved author like Jane Austen. Honestly, I wasn’t sure that this was going to work but yet there are so few retellings of Persuasion because it’s not a ‘fan favorite’ story, however I was on board for better or for worse.
I don’t know that I would cast this book as a true ‘retelling’ but whatever it was, it worked. In my opinion, I didn’t really see the resemblance or even any recognizable ‘call backs’ to Persuasion and in may ways it actually lacked any real depth….but yet I really liked it and kept reading all the same!
If I am being honest, I would call this book a guilty pleasure. It wasn’t ‘high brow’ or even smart fiction, but yet it wasn’t a trashy romance either. I think the best way I could describe it is a ‘relaxing read’. It was one of those books that you know from the very beginning—even before you turn the first page—that the main characters are going to end up together and there will be a HEA for the heroine, so why keep reading or even bother with a book that you know how it will end? Because, it’s about the chase.
And that’s what this book was, a comforting novel that takes you on a chase and ends right where you expect it to—with two characters finding love and happiness. Sometimes you just need a feel good read and that’s what this was. It’s a book that you could take to the beach or the poolside of a hotel and find comfort and entertainment regardless if you know what the end is about.
Ruby and Ethan are well matched in the story and yet they each have their flaws to make them more relatable. Throughout the story I enjoyed watching their chemistry and romance grow. At times Ruby could be abrasive toward Ethan but it never felt entirely out of character for her either which made her feel ‘real’ to me.
If you are headed to the beach for Labor Day weekend, or even if it’s the dead of winter and you find ourself on the long plane ride and you just need something to distract you—something that you know will have a happy ending—-and you will like the characters, then this is a great option.
I went with 3.5 stars for this one because I didn’t feel like there was any resemblance to Persuasion and I felt that by marketing it as such was a little misleading but yet I enjoyed the story and characters all the same and the setting was pretty spectacular!
See my full review here
Unlike most Jane Austen fans, Pride and Prejudice is NOT my favorite by her Austen novel. Nor are the other more popular novels: Emma, or Sense and Sensibility. My favorite Jane Austen is the lesser known Persuasion.
Of course all of her novels are fantastic and her heroines memorable, but none stood out to me more than Anne Elliot and her ever so charming, Captain Wentworth. So when I saw that the novel by Melissa Pimentel was a retelling of Persuasion, I was all eyeballs.
Retellings are sometimes tricky….especially when it’s a retelling of a work by a beloved author like Jane Austen. Honestly, I wasn’t sure that this was going to work but yet there are so few retellings of Persuasion because it’s not a ‘fan favorite’ story, however I was on board for better or for worse.
I don’t know that I would cast this book as a true ‘retelling’ but whatever it was, it worked. In my opinion, I didn’t really see the resemblance or even any recognizable ‘call backs’ to Persuasion and in may ways it actually lacked any real depth….but yet I really liked it and kept reading all the same!
If I am being honest, I would call this book a guilty pleasure. It wasn’t ‘high brow’ or even smart fiction, but yet it wasn’t a trashy romance either. I think the best way I could describe it is a ‘relaxing read’. It was one of those books that you know from the very beginning—even before you turn the first page—that the main characters are going to end up together and there will be a HEA for the heroine, so why keep reading or even bother with a book that you know how it will end? Because, it’s about the chase.
And that’s what this book was, a comforting novel that takes you on a chase and ends right where you expect it to—with two characters finding love and happiness. Sometimes you just need a feel good read and that’s what this was. It’s a book that you could take to the beach or the poolside of a hotel and find comfort and entertainment regardless if you know what the end is about.
Ruby and Ethan are well matched in the story and yet they each have their flaws to make them more relatable. Throughout the story I enjoyed watching their chemistry and romance grow. At times Ruby could be abrasive toward Ethan but it never felt entirely out of character for her either which made her feel ‘real’ to me.
If you are headed to the beach for Labor Day weekend, or even if it’s the dead of winter and you find ourself on the long plane ride and you just need something to distract you—something that you know will have a happy ending—-and you will like the characters, then this is a great option.
I went with 3.5 stars for this one because I didn’t feel like there was any resemblance to Persuasion and I felt that by marketing it as such was a little misleading but yet I enjoyed the story and characters all the same and the setting was pretty spectacular!
See my full review here
August 15, 2017
I know we’re almost at the end of summer, but if you need one last read for the beach or the Labor Day weekend, I’ve got the perfect recommendation. Melissa Pimentel’s The One That Got Away is a funny and fairly adorable modern retelling of Jane Austen’s Persuasion. It’s a touching, feel-good story, and a must-read for anyone who has watched Austen adaptations with a smidge of envy.
Ruby is a New York career woman through and through, and she’s mostly content with her life. However, with her best friend decamped to New Jersey with baby #2 on the way and her younger sister about to be married in a castle in the UK, she’s reevaluating some things – and worried about seeing her successful ex Ethan at the wedding. What follows is a then-and-now tale of love, loss, and figuring it all out again years after the fact.
Given that Pimentel’s novel is a retelling of Persuasion, you can likely guess the ending. That doesn’t mean that there weren’t some unexpected twists and turns along the way though – this is a thoroughly updated version. I won’t say any more, because I think this book deserves to preserve the surprises it does have.
Beyond the plot, it’s clever and entertaining, and I found myself chuckling several times, or at least smiling down at the book with gentle amusement. Pimentel knows her audience and her pop culture, and I think she infuses the right amount of cute into a familiar storyline without edging over into sappy. I very much enjoyed The One That Got Away.
Now, I do want to be fair and mention things that brought me out of the story a bit, though they didn’t dampen my enjoyment: the first chapter is a bit of a slow set-up, and you have to just push through it and get adjusted to Ruby’s first-person narration. Don’t worry, she’s intelligent and unpretentious, and if you’re anything like me you’ll end up liking her immensely. The second thing is that the book is set up in Then chapters and Now chapters, so you slide between Ruby’s first person present and third person from the past. Third thing: there are several Briticisms scattered about that I don’t imagine would naturally be flowing through an American’s head. But, as the book was published first in the UK, this does not surprise me. And as I mentioned, it didn’t affect my enjoyment of the book.
In all, The One That Got Away is a satisfying, charming read with a heroine to root for and the perfect dose of English scenery.
Recommended for: fans of modern Jane Austen adaptations, and anyone who likes light, smart, and funny women’s fiction, à la Marian Keyes.
Ruby is a New York career woman through and through, and she’s mostly content with her life. However, with her best friend decamped to New Jersey with baby #2 on the way and her younger sister about to be married in a castle in the UK, she’s reevaluating some things – and worried about seeing her successful ex Ethan at the wedding. What follows is a then-and-now tale of love, loss, and figuring it all out again years after the fact.
Given that Pimentel’s novel is a retelling of Persuasion, you can likely guess the ending. That doesn’t mean that there weren’t some unexpected twists and turns along the way though – this is a thoroughly updated version. I won’t say any more, because I think this book deserves to preserve the surprises it does have.
Beyond the plot, it’s clever and entertaining, and I found myself chuckling several times, or at least smiling down at the book with gentle amusement. Pimentel knows her audience and her pop culture, and I think she infuses the right amount of cute into a familiar storyline without edging over into sappy. I very much enjoyed The One That Got Away.
Now, I do want to be fair and mention things that brought me out of the story a bit, though they didn’t dampen my enjoyment: the first chapter is a bit of a slow set-up, and you have to just push through it and get adjusted to Ruby’s first-person narration. Don’t worry, she’s intelligent and unpretentious, and if you’re anything like me you’ll end up liking her immensely. The second thing is that the book is set up in Then chapters and Now chapters, so you slide between Ruby’s first person present and third person from the past. Third thing: there are several Briticisms scattered about that I don’t imagine would naturally be flowing through an American’s head. But, as the book was published first in the UK, this does not surprise me. And as I mentioned, it didn’t affect my enjoyment of the book.
In all, The One That Got Away is a satisfying, charming read with a heroine to root for and the perfect dose of English scenery.
Recommended for: fans of modern Jane Austen adaptations, and anyone who likes light, smart, and funny women’s fiction, à la Marian Keyes.
August 28, 2017
FirstLine ~ It was a Monday night.
This book was an interesting twist on the book Persuasion. I am not one of those readers that is a Jane Austen fangirl, but I do appreciate the writing, stories and characters. Pimentel has done a great job taking the classic story and making it modern and applicable to today's time. It was one of those books that slowly pulled me in and did not let go. I found myself fully engaged in the story, genuinely wanting to know what was going to happen. This book asks and explores the million dollar question: What would have happened if I chose a different path?
This book was an interesting twist on the book Persuasion. I am not one of those readers that is a Jane Austen fangirl, but I do appreciate the writing, stories and characters. Pimentel has done a great job taking the classic story and making it modern and applicable to today's time. It was one of those books that slowly pulled me in and did not let go. I found myself fully engaged in the story, genuinely wanting to know what was going to happen. This book asks and explores the million dollar question: What would have happened if I chose a different path?
August 22, 2017
Ruby pulls herself away from her busy New York City life and career to attend her baby sister’s wedding in England. She’s not that happy to be going, but not because she doesn’t want to see her sister get married. The best man happens to be her ex-boyfriend, Ethan. Ruby and Ethan were in love and they thought it was to be forever, but it didn't turn out that way.
It has been ten long years since Ruby saw Ethan and much has changed in that time frame. Ruby has a successful career in New York City, while Ethan became a wealthy entrepreneur. One thing hasn’t changed, Ruby's attraction for Ethan is still very much alive. However, she fears he is no longer interested in her and who can blame him? Too much time has passed.
This is a re-telling of Jane Austen’s Persuasion. I never read the original Persuasion so I had no expectations about what this book would be like. If the original is anything like this one, I have some good reading to look forward to.
The One That Got Away is a light read, perfect for the beach. It’s fast-paced with a variety of different characters. Some will make you laugh, others will bring tears to your eyes.
I loved Ruby and Ethan, but Ethan would definitely be my favorite. He is the type of guy a woman would want in her life. I couldn’t understand why Ruby let him get away in the first place. “Second chance” stories are good, though, and I enjoyed this very much. It’s a “feel good” type of story that will bring a smile to your face after the final page is turned.
FTC Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.
It has been ten long years since Ruby saw Ethan and much has changed in that time frame. Ruby has a successful career in New York City, while Ethan became a wealthy entrepreneur. One thing hasn’t changed, Ruby's attraction for Ethan is still very much alive. However, she fears he is no longer interested in her and who can blame him? Too much time has passed.
This is a re-telling of Jane Austen’s Persuasion. I never read the original Persuasion so I had no expectations about what this book would be like. If the original is anything like this one, I have some good reading to look forward to.
The One That Got Away is a light read, perfect for the beach. It’s fast-paced with a variety of different characters. Some will make you laugh, others will bring tears to your eyes.
I loved Ruby and Ethan, but Ethan would definitely be my favorite. He is the type of guy a woman would want in her life. I couldn’t understand why Ruby let him get away in the first place. “Second chance” stories are good, though, and I enjoyed this very much. It’s a “feel good” type of story that will bring a smile to your face after the final page is turned.
FTC Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.
December 3, 2019
The One That Got Away is like a little black dress. I don't want my romances to be like relics from my 2002 prom, all tulle and sequins and hope. I also don't want them to be too slutty, like that bandage dress with the mystery stain that last saw the light of a nightclub sometime back in college. But I do want my romances to be a little bit more provocative, a little bit more intriguing, and a little less run-of-the-mill than this LBD.
While reading, I found myself engaged with the story but not swept away. If it was a song it would have played in the background while I did something else. Good, but not one of those dresses that instantly earn their place in the closet hall-of-fame, the ones that I wore on those unforgettable nights and keep around for nostalgia's sake.
While reading, I found myself engaged with the story but not swept away. If it was a song it would have played in the background while I did something else. Good, but not one of those dresses that instantly earn their place in the closet hall-of-fame, the ones that I wore on those unforgettable nights and keep around for nostalgia's sake.
Read
August 12, 2017Loose retelling of Persuasion set at a wedding in the English countryside that brings together a couple who broke up ten years before.
At first, the alternating then/now storytelling bothered me, but I got used to it and in the end it did add more depth to the story and offer the point of view of both characters. There was a big reveal toward the end that I wasn't expecting and I think the story needed a bit more time after that than I got.
RTC on my site - JenRyland.com or check out my Bookstagram!
I received a free advance copy of this book from the publisher for possible review.
At first, the alternating then/now storytelling bothered me, but I got used to it and in the end it did add more depth to the story and offer the point of view of both characters. There was a big reveal toward the end that I wasn't expecting and I think the story needed a bit more time after that than I got.
RTC on my site - JenRyland.com or check out my Bookstagram!
I received a free advance copy of this book from the publisher for possible review.
July 26, 2017
Ruby to typowa mieszkanka Nowego Jorku - wiecznie zajęta, przesiadująca w swojej Bardzo Ważnej Pracy w wielkim szklanym budynku od rana do nocy, niemająca czasu na myślenie ani o przyszłości, ani o przeszłości. Przeszłość jednak dogania Ruby, kiedy wybiera się ona do Anglii na ślub siostry, na którym drużbą pana młodego jest Ethan - jej wielka miłość sprzed dziesięciu lat. Ich rozstanie odcisnęło piętno na życiu ich obojga i chociaż wydawałoby się, że od tego czasu wszystko się zmieniło, a po dawnych uczuciach nie powinien pozostać nawet ślad, Ruby odkrywa prawdziwość powiedzenia, że stara miłość nie rdzewieje. Czy może jednak liczyć na wzajemność Ethana, którego kiedyś tak bardzo zraniła?
Melissa Pimentel rzekomo oparła swoją powieść na “Perswazjach” Jane Austen i właśnie to w pierwszej kolejności zachęciło mnie do jej przeczytania. “Perswazje” są moją ulubioną książką Austen, zaraz po “Dumie i uprzedzeniu”, dlatego miałam wobec powieści amerykańskiej autorki dość wysokie wymagania, którym niestety nie do końca sprostała. Z pewnością nie jest to zła książka, ale chyba liczyłam na wyraźniejsze nawiązania do klasycznego pierwowzoru, a już na pewno na jakąś współczesną wersję listu kapitana Wentwortha ;)
Przede wszystkim, pomimo umiejscowienia akcji w malowniczej angielskiej wsi, “Nie mój jedyny” jest powieścią do bólu amerykańską, w swoim klimacie, humorze, prezentowanym stylu życia, czy poglądach na związki. Nie dla każdego będzie to wadą, ja akurat nie jestem fanką zachodniej mentalności, więc niektóre rzeczy w książce trochę mnie raziły, na przykład zachowanie przyjaciółki głównej bohaterki. Ale z drugiej strony widać też dystans autorki do własnej nacji, w dość prześmiewczym przedstawieniu amerykańskiej klasy wyższej.
Czytając towarzyszymy Ruby nie tylko w jej perypetiach, związanych ze ślubem siostry, ale autorka zabiera nas również w podróż 10 lat wcześniej, gdzie krok po kroku poznajemy losy związku Ruby i Ethana, aż do wyjaśnienia tajemnicy ich rozstania. Widzimy też, jaki wpływ na człowieka może mieć przeprowadzka do wielkiego miasta, jak w tłumie ludzi można czuć się samotnym jak nigdy dotąd, a także uświadamiamy sobie, że nie ma nic złego w rezygnacji z własnych marzeń, jeśli okazują się ostatecznie nie spełniać naszych oczekiwań.
Powieść napisana jest przyjemnym, lekkim stylem, ze sporą dawką humoru, więc lektura z pewnością nie jest nudna. Bohaterowie są ciekawi, z inteligentną, zabawną, choć czasami trochę zagubioną Ruby na czele. Poza naszą główną bohaterką mamy wiele barwnych postaci, na przykład jej macochę, młodszą od jej ojca o 15 lat i wykazującą niezdrowe zamiłowanie do błyszczących i obcisłych ubrań, ale obdarzoną gołębim sercem, czy też rodziców pana młodego - parę snobów, usiłującą odnaleźć w swojej linii genealogicznej przedstawicieli brytyjskiej arystokracji.
Podsumowując, “Nie mój jedyny” jest przyjemną lekturą, idealną na odstresowanie po ciężkim dniu, czy do poczytania na wakacjach. Nie znajdziemy w niej nic odkrywczego, ale przecież nie każda książka musi od razu wstrząsnąć światem, prawda? Czasem wystarczy, że możemy miło spędzić z nią czas i na chwilę oderwać się od codzienności.
Melissa Pimentel rzekomo oparła swoją powieść na “Perswazjach” Jane Austen i właśnie to w pierwszej kolejności zachęciło mnie do jej przeczytania. “Perswazje” są moją ulubioną książką Austen, zaraz po “Dumie i uprzedzeniu”, dlatego miałam wobec powieści amerykańskiej autorki dość wysokie wymagania, którym niestety nie do końca sprostała. Z pewnością nie jest to zła książka, ale chyba liczyłam na wyraźniejsze nawiązania do klasycznego pierwowzoru, a już na pewno na jakąś współczesną wersję listu kapitana Wentwortha ;)
Przede wszystkim, pomimo umiejscowienia akcji w malowniczej angielskiej wsi, “Nie mój jedyny” jest powieścią do bólu amerykańską, w swoim klimacie, humorze, prezentowanym stylu życia, czy poglądach na związki. Nie dla każdego będzie to wadą, ja akurat nie jestem fanką zachodniej mentalności, więc niektóre rzeczy w książce trochę mnie raziły, na przykład zachowanie przyjaciółki głównej bohaterki. Ale z drugiej strony widać też dystans autorki do własnej nacji, w dość prześmiewczym przedstawieniu amerykańskiej klasy wyższej.
Czytając towarzyszymy Ruby nie tylko w jej perypetiach, związanych ze ślubem siostry, ale autorka zabiera nas również w podróż 10 lat wcześniej, gdzie krok po kroku poznajemy losy związku Ruby i Ethana, aż do wyjaśnienia tajemnicy ich rozstania. Widzimy też, jaki wpływ na człowieka może mieć przeprowadzka do wielkiego miasta, jak w tłumie ludzi można czuć się samotnym jak nigdy dotąd, a także uświadamiamy sobie, że nie ma nic złego w rezygnacji z własnych marzeń, jeśli okazują się ostatecznie nie spełniać naszych oczekiwań.
Powieść napisana jest przyjemnym, lekkim stylem, ze sporą dawką humoru, więc lektura z pewnością nie jest nudna. Bohaterowie są ciekawi, z inteligentną, zabawną, choć czasami trochę zagubioną Ruby na czele. Poza naszą główną bohaterką mamy wiele barwnych postaci, na przykład jej macochę, młodszą od jej ojca o 15 lat i wykazującą niezdrowe zamiłowanie do błyszczących i obcisłych ubrań, ale obdarzoną gołębim sercem, czy też rodziców pana młodego - parę snobów, usiłującą odnaleźć w swojej linii genealogicznej przedstawicieli brytyjskiej arystokracji.
Podsumowując, “Nie mój jedyny” jest przyjemną lekturą, idealną na odstresowanie po ciężkim dniu, czy do poczytania na wakacjach. Nie znajdziemy w niej nic odkrywczego, ale przecież nie każda książka musi od razu wstrząsnąć światem, prawda? Czasem wystarczy, że możemy miło spędzić z nią czas i na chwilę oderwać się od codzienności.
September 4, 2017
This book is touted as a retelling of Jane Austen’s Persuasion, but frankly, I felt it was more a variation of Bridget Jones’ Diary. In fact, Bridget Jones’ story was supposedly based on Pride and Prejudice, and I think if the plot of this book resembles any Jane Austen story, it would be that one rather than Persuasion.
But mostly the 31-year-old protagonist, Ruby Atlas, seems a carbon copy of Bridget Jones, always focussed on her job, her weight, her drinking, her outfits, and her love life. Ruby’s BFF Jess is always there for her, just like Bridget’s friends, no matter how self-absorbed Ruby/Bridget is.
Ruby’s one lapse from self-obsession is to take care of her spoiled, immature, and frequently hysterical (not in the sense of funny) sister Piper, who has dragged family and friends to a British castle, Bamburgh [a popular wedding venue in real life] for her upcoming marriage. Piper is getting hitched to Charlie Armstrong, who happens to be the BFF of Ruby’s ex, Ethan Bailey.
Ruby hates taking time to go to the wedding; she puts in very long days, working all hours at her job. Plus, she is nervous over seeing Ethan again. When Ruby dated him ten years ago, he was a bartender, but now he is not only even more handsome, but also a rich and famous tech guy. Ruby sees him on magazine covers all the time.
They broke up when Ruby left for college. Even though Ruby loved Ethan madly, she did not want to give up her dream. Unfortunately, she ran into a number of barriers, and didn’t want to confess her failure to Ethan. She also couldn’t bear for him to see “the real her.” So she sent him a “Dear John” letter.
Neither Ruby nor Ethan (in spite of his success) ended up where they wanted to be in life. When Ruby’s dad has a heart attack right before the wedding, this leads all of them to rethink their priorities.
Evaluation: As far as I was concerned, the ending was shallow and improbable. But then again, so was the rest of the book. I do occasionally enjoy “chick lit” but only if it is intelligently written with a great deal of self-deprecating humor (as with the work of Sophie Kinsella). This story seemed too derivative, and too neatly resolved.
Rating: 2.75/5
But mostly the 31-year-old protagonist, Ruby Atlas, seems a carbon copy of Bridget Jones, always focussed on her job, her weight, her drinking, her outfits, and her love life. Ruby’s BFF Jess is always there for her, just like Bridget’s friends, no matter how self-absorbed Ruby/Bridget is.
Ruby’s one lapse from self-obsession is to take care of her spoiled, immature, and frequently hysterical (not in the sense of funny) sister Piper, who has dragged family and friends to a British castle, Bamburgh [a popular wedding venue in real life] for her upcoming marriage. Piper is getting hitched to Charlie Armstrong, who happens to be the BFF of Ruby’s ex, Ethan Bailey.
Ruby hates taking time to go to the wedding; she puts in very long days, working all hours at her job. Plus, she is nervous over seeing Ethan again. When Ruby dated him ten years ago, he was a bartender, but now he is not only even more handsome, but also a rich and famous tech guy. Ruby sees him on magazine covers all the time.
They broke up when Ruby left for college. Even though Ruby loved Ethan madly, she did not want to give up her dream. Unfortunately, she ran into a number of barriers, and didn’t want to confess her failure to Ethan. She also couldn’t bear for him to see “the real her.” So she sent him a “Dear John” letter.
Neither Ruby nor Ethan (in spite of his success) ended up where they wanted to be in life. When Ruby’s dad has a heart attack right before the wedding, this leads all of them to rethink their priorities.
Evaluation: As far as I was concerned, the ending was shallow and improbable. But then again, so was the rest of the book. I do occasionally enjoy “chick lit” but only if it is intelligently written with a great deal of self-deprecating humor (as with the work of Sophie Kinsella). This story seemed too derivative, and too neatly resolved.
Rating: 2.75/5
September 19, 2017
I really love this new-to-me author's writing, but for a second chance romance, there's not a lot of romance in this book. This book explores a lot of the relationships between the main character and her family, her friends, her job, but the relationship between Ruby and Ethan takes a back seat throughout. I would've loved to see more interaction between them, more dialogue... It was just more Ruby's story than their story and so this romance reader came away a bit underwhelmed. I'll definitely be looking out for more from this author, however, because I really enjoyed her writing.
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