This is Rebecca Lindt's story. The girl who got shot in the leg during the prom attack. The girl who was in love with her friend who was in love with someone else. And after a reunion twelve years later, finally learned the truth. Now the woman who is a busy lawyer that assists with charities and a campaign, and very much alone.

One night she needs help and it comes in the form of Wes Garrett. He is a man who has almost seen the pinnacle of success and then was dropped to near rock bottom. He is getting his life back together, but his dreams sometimes seem out of reach.

He does everything he can to help her. But she knows something he doesn't. They develop a rapport and attraction. They both have reasons to be skittish and gun shy. They are both damaged individuals who have had to hide their pain and bury themselves in work to have a focus. She is afraid to be that romantic, idealistic girl again and has become jaded. And she is holding onto secrets and guilt. And he has also seen the negative side of life and love. They both have some types of scars whether physical or emotional and are facing demons.  But despite the fact they don't really seem to fit, they make each other feel alive and maybe even hope. 

But Becca's past is holding back and all of her past is gradually revealed. What will happen when all of her secrets come out? Will she be judged by him as others as harshly as she judges herself?

This is a story about living, loving, paying it forward, self forgiveness, and redemption. These two were kind of a mess, but they helped balance each other out and inspire the other. They both had so much to overcome to try to find a place where they could feel actual happiness, but due to their pasts they also had fears, insecurities, and ongoing issues. And sometimes life throws surprises at you that can be good or bad. But change is hard and scary. They will have to figure out if the risk is worth the possible reward.

It technically could be read as a stand alone, but I think the first book The Ones Who Got Away gave more emotional impact and information about the tragic night from her past and set up the relationships in a way to make you more invested in this one. I will admit that I did not like this one quite as much as the first, but I was still glad to get more of Rebecca's story and find out her secrets. And I did like her and Wes together. I am interested in Taryn and Kincaid's stories.

I received this book for free from netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

The Ones Who Got Away
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Roni Loren
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Roni wrote her first romance novel at age fifteen when she discovered writing about boys was way easier than actually talking to them. Since then, her flirting skills haven’t improved, but she likes to think her storytelling ability has. She holds a master’s degree in social work and spent years as a mental health counselor, but now she writes full time from her cozy office in Dallas, Texas where she puts her characters on the therapy couch instead. She is a two-time RITA Award winner and a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author.