This third installment might just be Loren’s most heart-wrenching romance yet—it will undoubtedly bring you to tears ... an addicting and tense read ... It’s truly a feat to address the issue of gun violence with the delicacy, care and realism of Loren’s series, which somehow gets better with every new release. Loren does an outstanding job crafting romances that balance love, grief and a whole slew of other messy, complicated emotions. Tissues are a must for this book. At times, The One You Fight For can be painful, but the beauty of romance is that there will always be a happy ending, and its one that Taryn and Shaw definitely deserve ... Full of complex relationships and friendships forged through trauma, this is an unforgettable addition to an equally unforgettable series.
Loren delivers another stunning and moving addition to her series about survivors of a school shooting. She realistically and vividly depicts guilt and loneliness while also showcasing the power and importance of love and friendship. Moments of heartfelt humor and face-flushing love scenes counter the sadness. Truly exceptional.
There is so much to love in this romance: sexy, sporty, highly competent characters having a sexy, sweaty, complicated relationship. But in a novel so much about preventing mass shootings, it's startling that Loren doesn't even mention gun control measures. That would take some of the onus off individuals to stop the violence, and it would go some way to absolving people like Shaw and Taryn of the burden of needing to protect everyone, even at the expense of their own happiness.
Brings romance into a decidedly unromantic story ... unlikely to be a romance for everyone, and definitely won’t be a comfortable subject for every reader – but for me it was a well done combination of love story and everyday storytelling that was wonderful to read ... heavy, and I mean that in the absolute best way possible. This is a midnight-dark subject to write a romance about, and there are occasional bobbles along the way, but Roni Loren gets the entire trauma of the grieving process – from panic to grief to acceptance and growth – perfectly right. Add on a swoonworthy romance and you start out the year with one excellent contemporary ... For some readers this may be an extremely upsetting and traumatic subject for a romance, and I can understand why they might never read it. But I found it to be a beautiful and spellbinding to experience ... in the early running for romance of the year.
Loren continues her breathtaking The Ones Who Got Away series with another Long Acre shooting survivor who finds love with a problematic partner and who must rediscover who she is as she fights for her happiness. Taryn risks her livelihood and the good will of her family when she falls for Shaw, but in exploring their relationship, Loren deftly and elegantly explores guilt and forgiveness as Taryn learns to truly open her heart to Shaw and his love. ... Extraordinary.
Gripping ... will leave readers breathless ... This outstanding paean to seeing the humanity in others is a must-read for fans of contemporary romance.
