Review: The One For You by Roni Loren

THE ONE FOR YOU
Roni Loren
Publication date: December 31, 2019
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Series: The Ones Who Got Away #4
Format: eARC
Source: Sourcebooks Casablanca and Edelweiss
4.25 Stars

GOODREADS  *  AMAZON






S Y N O P S I S

Kincaid Breslin wasn't supposed to survive that fateful night at Long Acre when so many died, including her boyfriend—but survive she did. She doesn't know why she got that chance, but now she takes life by the horns and doesn't let anybody stand in her way

Ashton Isaacs was her best friend when disaster struck all those years ago, but he chose to run as far away as he could. Now fate has brought him back to town, and Ash doesn't know how to cope with his feelings for Kincaid and his grief over their lost friendship. For Ash has been carrying secrets, and he knows that once Kincaid learns the truth, he'll lose any chance he might have had with the only woman he's ever loved.
 

M Y   T H O U G H T S

Kincaid was a survivor. One who walked away from a high school mass shooting. Her boyfriend was one of the victims and she spent the last fifteen years avoiding serious relationships, convinced that her one chance at true love ended in tragedy. Instead, she focused on creating a good life for herself, refusing to allow the perpetrators to take any more from her.

Ashton was Kincaid’s best friend but he fled their small town after the shooting and cut all ties there. Now back temporarily and forced to face his past, Ash is happy to have Kincaid back in his life. But some things haven’t changed: he’s still in love with her, and she still sees him as her friend.

I was excited to finally get Kincaid’s story and it was even better than I’d hoped. Kincaid has been the glue that held her close-knit group of friends together. The cheerleader that was always lending support and championing those closest to her. With Ash back in town and several big shake-ups in her life, Kincaid is the one in need of support. I loved this ride-or-die friend group. These were women of strength who had tragedy in their past but fought to keep it from defining them. The rekindled friendship between Ash and Kincaid and the easy way they communicated warmed my heart. Even with the humor – and with Kincaid there was plenty of it – there was also plenty of emotion between the laughs. Neither Kincaid nor Ash had stable or loving homes as kids which had me sympathetic for them both. And Ash’s memories of the shooting left me absolutely heartsick. Both characters had a long way to go in coming to terms with the past and allowing themselves to feel worthy of a second chance at happiness. I truly loved Ash and Kincaid’s journey – both separately and together.

In The One For You, Roni Loren wrapped up a quartet of companion novels that pushed the boundaries of contemporary romance. This was not just a love story but also tackled school shootings, PTSD, survivor’s guilt, and domestic violence/abuse. But before you think all that sounds too heavy, there was also humor and strong female friendships and support, and plenty of swoony romance. Loren managed to balance all these elements seamlessly and created something truly special.

Disclosure: I received a a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. This does not impact my opinion of the book or the content of this review. I received no compensation and my review is voluntary.



24 comments

  1. The stories from their childhood hit me right in the feels, and it explained a lot of Kincaid too. I loved these two. I loved this book. I loved this series.

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    1. Yes, yes, and yes, Sam! I know Loren has told the stories of all the main characters but I'm still sad to see the series come to an end. I'm excited to read more from her, though.

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  2. Great review! I loved how this book played out. I felt like I understood Kincaid better and that romance was just so good!

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    1. Totally agree, Deanna. I loved peeling back the layers on Kincaid. And the romance between her and Ash was just wonderful. :)

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  3. My library just got all 4 books in this series, so I went and added The One Who Got Away to my tbr. Hoping I love these books as much as you!
    Jen @ Star-Crossed Book Blog

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    1. Oh that's awesome! To be honest, that first one (The Ones Who Got Away) is still my favorite. I hope you'll love it, too, Jen!

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  4. This sounds so familiar to me but I obviously haven't read it lol

    I'll have to see if I read any of the other books in the series and maybe that's what's giving me deja vu. Sounds great though.

    Karen @ For What It's worth

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    1. I highly recommend the whole series, but honestly the first two books were my favorites: The Ones Who Got Away and The One You Can't Forget.

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  5. Excellent, I'm happy you enjoyed this one too! I have such a soft spot for the characters that serve as "glue" for their friends and are perceived as happy-go-lucky but have their vulnerabilities!

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    1. That really sums Kincaid up well. She always presented an upbeat persona but she definitely had her own issues.

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  6. I cannot tell you why I haven't started this series yet! It sounds like something I would really like and I know I have one or two of them sitting on my kindle. I am so glad that this one was a winner for you, Tanya!

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    1. I really hope you'll be able to start it soon, Carole. I think you would enjoy them. I enjoyed the whole series but I think the first two are still my favorites.

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  7. Okay I am reallllly worried about that secret that Ashton is keeping and I will need to look for spoilers to make sure it's not what I hope it's not. If that makes sense lol

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    1. Nooo! No spoilers! LOL It was a mighty big secret but it wasn't a game-changer. And it didn't change my feelings for Ash.

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  8. 2020 will be the year I finally read a Roni Loren book. I have decided. 😀
    This one sounds like a beautiful read and I love childhood friends turned more!

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    1. I'll hold you to that. :) This series really is worth reading... I enjoyed all 4 books so much. And childhood friends to more is one of my very favorite tropes! ♥

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  9. I'm glad to hear this book was such a good read for you. I like all of the big topics that the series covers in addition to being a great romance.

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    1. Loren did such a great job in balancing the romance with the heavier topics.

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  10. Great review!! I am so looking forward to starting this series!

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  11. So you are saying I should start this series? 😆 Great review, I keep seeing this around but don't know why I haven't picked it up.
    Hope you have a great day.
    Helena

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    1. If you like contemporary romance at all, this is definitely a great series to dive into. :)

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  12. I love the synopsis for this though. I have a soft spot for best-friends-to-lovers but best-friends-to-strangers-to-maybe-something-to-lovers?? OKAY I'M IN. There's just something so sad about this trope that I feel like there isn't enough out there.. or maybe I just haven't read/encountered them yet.

    *laughs in hidden at how I got the first three books of this series in my kindle yet never read them*

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    1. Yes! I love the whole friends to lovers trope especially when there's history and things are messy but they totally belong together. :) And if you already have the first three books on your Kindle... go read them! LOL

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