Title: The One You Fight For by Roni Loren
The Ones Who Got Away Series Book Three
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 416 pages
Book Rating: C
Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley
Summary:
How hard would you fight for the one you love?
Taryn Landry was there that awful night fourteen years ago when Long Acre changed from the name of a town to the title of a national tragedy. Everyone knows she lost her younger sister. No one knows it was her fault. Since then, psychology professor Taryn has dedicated her life’s work to preventing something like that from ever happening again. Falling in love was never part of the plan…
Shaw Miller has spent more than a decade dealing with the fallout of his brother’s horrific actions. After losing everything—his chance at Olympic gold, his family, almost his sanity—he’s changed his name, his look, and he’s finally starting a new life. As long as he keeps a low profile and his identity secret, everything will be okay, right?
When the world and everyone you know defines you by one catastrophic tragedy…
How do you find your happy ending?
Review:
The One You Fight For by Roni Loren is a poignant and realistic romance. Although this newest release is the third installment in The Ones Who Got Away series, it can be read as a standalone.
Taryn Landry is a survivor of the Long Acre school shooting but tragically, her younger sister lost her life. The tragedy was a defining moment in Taryn’s life and fourteen years later, she is still feeling its impact. Guilt-ridden, she willingly changed her plans to remain close to her parents. Now a psychology professor, Taryn is working on a project that she hopes schools will implement in order to prevent future school shootings. She is a workaholic who has little time, energy or desire for a relationship. However, after a health scare, Taryn agrees to a no strings fling with Lucas Shaw (aka Shaw Miller).
Shaw Miller has good reason to change his name when he and his best friend go into business close to Long Acre. Shaw’s brother, Joseph, was one of the school shooters and Shaw has no desire to open himself up to public scrutiny again. He has lived under the radar following a very public display of anger years earlier and he also avoids relationships. Shaw is also living with crushing guilt that he is partly guilty for his brothers actions. Just like Taryn, Shaw is not looking for love, but he is surprisingly open to a casual relationship.
Taryn and Shaw are both well-developed and likable characters. Of the two, Shaw is the most sympathetic and it is easy to understand why he lives such a low key life. Taryn is so wracked with guilt about the night of the shooting that it is incredibly easy for her parents to emotionally blackmail her into remaining close by. Given the circumstances surrounding their relationship, the issues that arise between Taryn and Shaw are quite predictable as are her parents’ reactions. Luckily for Taryn, her close friends rally around her and offer their support but is there any chance for a happily ever after for her and Shaw?
The One You Fight For is an enjoyable romance but it is a little slow-placed and predictable. While it is easy to understand why Taryn wants to be close to her parents, she should not have to live her life for them. Shaw’s situation offers a insightful and educational glimpse into how a family member’s crimes affect their lives in the aftermath. Shaw and Taryn share some very steamy scenes but a real relationship is impossible due to their need keep Shaw’s identity secret. Roni Loren deftly deals with the aftermath of the shooting and its effects on those touched by the tragedy with sensitivity. The The Ones Who Got Away series packs an emotional punch and while the subject matter is heavy, it is quite gratifying watching the various characters find a measure of peace as they fall in love.
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