Book Review: The One That Got Away by Mike Gayle

Author: Mike Gayle

Title: The One That Got Away

Genre: Romance, Novella, Short Story

Format: ebook

Pages: 100

Published: May 1, 2025

Where I got It: My shelf (Amazon) 

Summary: 

Reuben thought he’d spend the rest of his life with Beth, until she broke his heart six months ago. He’s not even remotely over her, so he’s devastated to hear she’s getting married—this weekend.

Now he’s faced with the ultimate what should he do on the day of the wedding? Grieve? Disrupt the ceremony? Or do everything in his power to pretend it’s not happening?

Enlisting the help of his friends, Reuben is all set to mark the occasion with distraction on a grand Ferraris, champagne, and a VIP box at the races.

But on the morning of the Big Day, Reuben gets a phone call that not only derails his elaborate it may well change his life completely…

Review:

This was a freebie and I love a good freebie. 

Here we follow Reuben who was in love with Beth but she broke up with him. He's not over her so his heart breaks again after he hears she is getting married...this weekend. His friends spirit him away to get his mind off it, but things get murky when Reuben receives a phone call that could change everything. 

My favorite part of this story was the ending when everyone grows the heck up. 

LOTS of spoilers heading your way.

Reuben and Beth are so unlikeable. *spoiler starts* Beth doesn't believe in love and Reuben does...but they stay together. Reuben does a bad thing and Beth breaks up with him. 6 months later she is marrying another man AND now is calling Reuben to save her? ......He drops his friends like a bag of rotten potatoes and goes and saves her and helps her escape her wedding. They fight. They kiss. Beth gets a call that her intended, Leo, has now run away and she is suddenly in love with him and wants Leo back? Reuben agrees to track him down. They work it out and Reuben goes to the wedding. Sure he finds love there, but WHAT.ON.EARTH. *spoiler ends* 

Don't get me twisted I did enjoy the drama but holy hannah did I want to smack everyone. Minus Pete...he seemed like a cool guy. Everyone grow up please. I think I could've been more forgiving of Beth if her dawn of realization was done a little differently. It just seemed selfish. She was so selfish the whole time. She had no character growth. Reuben took a minute, but he did grow as a character so I'll tip my hat to him. Boo to Beth!

I'm glad the author made this nice and short. 

All-in-all....this was drama-filled with some characters that you will want to shake. 

I'll give this 2 stars. 

Favorite Character(s): Pete

Least Favorite Character(s): Beth and Reuben

 

Audiobook Review: A Chance Inheritance by Carolyn Brown

Author: Carolyn Brown

Narrator: Brittany Pressley

Title: A Chance Inheritance

Genre: Chick lit, Novella, Short Story

Format: Audiobook

Published: March 1, 2021

Where I got It: My shelf (Audible)

Summary: 

What do a runaway bride, a free spirit, and a corporate exec have in common? Besides all being down on their luck, Lainie, Jodi, and Becky are Lizzie Cornell's granddaughters. Upon inheriting their grandmother's home and family bait shop, the three cousins return to Catfish, Texas, grieving Lizzie's passing and hoping to find the fresh start they all need. 

Turns out cohabitating together and running the Catfish Fisherman's Hut isn't at all like the idyllic summers they spent as children on the banks of the Red River. The days are long and hot, the tourists demanding and rude. And then there's Chris, a local river guide who seems to have eyes only for Becky. 

But Lizzie's death has set in motion a chain of events that will cause a new generation of Cornell women to come together. And thanks to this chance inheritance, some local fishermen, and the love of their Granny Lizzie, the Cornell cousins discover that sometimes an ending is really the beginning of a brand-new happily ever after.

Review:

Weeee love a good freebie and I like Carolyn Brown!

Here we have three cousins who have little in common, but they are brought back together after the death of their grandma. They have inherited everything and this might just be the fresh start they all need. 

This was a very sweet and lovely short. There is a sprinkle of romance, but that wasn't the focus. The focus are on these three girls who are trying to find the right fit in the world. I loved seeing them WANT to stay and keep their granny's legacy alive. 

I do wish we got some sort of epilogue though. I can bet and imagine what happens, but I would've liked to see more especially since this is not part of a series. I'm sure they will all find love and have babies that will keep the legacy alive for another generation. That is my hope at least. 

This pulled at my heart strings for though since my grandmother passed a few months ago. I wish I could have this reconnection with some of my cousins. It brought them closer together and I loved that. 

I've listened to the narrator in the past so it was lovely hearing her again. She does such a good job. 

All-in-all, this was very sweet and quick. I do think we needed a page or two more as a final conclusion since there are no more books. Other than that, I adored this. I'll give it 4 stars. 

- Favorite Character(s): All the cousins and Chris

- Least Favorite Character(s): The ex

 Challenge(s):

- Audiobook #25

Best of May

Weeeee. Here are the best of the bests for May. 

Best Book of the Month:

Blodeuedd - A Wizard´s Guide to Defensive Baking by T Kingfisher

"It was cute!"

Carole - Part of Your World by Abby Jimenez

"It was great!"

Best Movie of the Month:

Carole -  The Queen (2006)

"Such a great cast and it was so good."

Blodeuedd - Nadda this month

"Sigh. Once again who knows what movies I watched. Last one was Nonnas, and sure good, but I would not exactly rec it to someone."

Best TV show of the Month:

Blodeuedd - North of North

"I watched this series. It was good!"

Carole - Nadda this month

"Just been rewatching some of the favorite comfort shows."

Best Cover of the Month:

Carole's pick: The colors!!!

Blodeuedd's pick: Cute!