*I received a copy of this book in eBook format in return for this review. All reviews published on Yours, Chloe are completely honest and my own, and are in now way influenced by the gifting opportunity. This review is being posted as part of the The One That Got Away blog tour hosted by Rachel's Random Resources.
Title: The One That Got Away
Author: Olivia Spring
Genre: Romance
Rating: ★★★★
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ (Explicit Open Door)
What if the one who got away is really the one?
When Stella finds herself back home with a string of
disastrous dates under her belt, she's certain she’s hit rock bottom. Until she
discovers her mother has signed her up to The Love Hotel: a luxury matchmaking
service where a perfect love match is guaranteed! Stella is adamant she'll have
nothing to do with this nonsense! But then a match is found faster than she can
say 'Not.A.Chance!' So, how bad can two weeks in the scorching Spanish sunshine
be?
Very bad, actually. Because when Stella arrives, she’s
mortified to learn her date is no perfect stranger. In fact she knows him a
little too well. Because Max is the childhood sweetheart who broke her heart,
who her heart remembers and who is more gorgeous than ever.
With no refunds, Stella reluctantly decides to stay and
enjoy the holiday - all she has to do is keep Max at an arm’s length...right?
Easier said than done when Max is impossible to ignore. And as the Love Hotel
begins to work its matchmaking magic, Stella can't deny that the sparks still
sizzle between them. And maybe, the experts were right afterall...
The One That Got
Away is the latest romantic comedy from author Olivia Spring. Fans of a second
chance romance this one is for you! Add in many of your other favourite romance
tropes including forced proximity, only one bed (or villa in this case) and friends
with benefits, all set in the beautiful Spanish sunshine and you have The One
That Got Away: the perfect beach read.
I’ll admit that prior
to reading The One That Got Away, second chance romance was one of my least
favourite romance tropes but Olivia Spring has successfully convinced
otherwise. I really enjoyed the concept of Stella and Max being each other’s
first loves and (to quote the book’s title) the one that got away, who fate decides
to reconnect several years down the line.
This story is told
through a dual POV first person narrative and this worked absolutely beautifully.
The chapters were short and snappy, with a single scene often taking place
across multiple chapters which alternated between Stella and Max’s POVs. I
loved getting to see both of their perspectives on a single moment, it suited
the plot perfectly. This was a really quick read which I flew through in a
single sitting, no doubt thanks to Oliva Spring’s engaging writing style and
loveable characters.
Stella was an absolutely
brilliant FMC and I warmed to her instantly, particularly when she shared her
love of steamy romances. Max was the perfect MMC: gorgeous, charismatic, a
gentleman and a total sweetheart. If you’re a sucker for a MMC who makes kind
gestures – both smaller and grand gestures – you will adore him just as much as
I did.
Stella and Max
had fantastic chemistry and the flirting was off the charts. There was many a
spicy scene, which were all excellent and I adored the fact that the dual POV narrative
allowed us to see these scenes from both perspectives. The way Max talked about
Stella in these moments – and throughout the entire novel to be honest – was
truly beautiful. It was also brilliant to see aftercare represented following
the spicier scenes rather than the chapter ending when the sex does.
The Love Hotel
was a brilliant premise, perfect for fans of the First Dates Hotel TV show. The
eccentric job titles for the staff working at the hotel had me giggling
throughout, with a particular shoutout going to ‘suitcase superintendent’. I also
really liked their ‘Love Alchemist’ (aka their own person cupid) Jasmine and
the way she created opportunities for Stella and Max’s relationship to blossom.
Overall, The One
That Got Away is absolutely perfect if you’re after an easy and quick read
which is packed full of your favourite romance tropes and a whole lot of spice.
It will make the perfect beach read so is a must-have in your next holiday
suitcase.
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