Reviews

The One That Got Away by Rhianne Aile, Madeleine Urban

bitchie's review against another edition

4.0

Ok I just heard there was a second, expanded edition of this book, so I decided to give it a try. I still love the characters and the story,but, and maybe it was just me, but this version felt, I dunno, disjointed somehow? Like the story was pulled apart, then parts put back together in the wrong order? Or maybe it was just because this was a late night read and I was very tired.

booknerd2009's review

funny lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

3.5

raynebair's review against another edition

4.0

This was so sweet! The UST was unbelievable...totally hot! And the story about how David and Trace's friendship grew to love was so perfect. I absolutely loved this book.

patti_pinguin's review against another edition

emotional lighthearted medium-paced

4.0

teresab78's review against another edition

3.0

Talk about UST and slow burn!!! Unfortunately it was a little too slow a burn for me. I did love how the romance evolved though. There was no drama, no angst, just self revelations. And when they finally got to it, the sex was hot. I truly felt that this was a relationship that would last!

litagentsaritza's review against another edition

4.0

Another reviewer said it best when they said this is a great first book to introduce the m/m genre to a newbie. I couldn't agree more.

Summary: When David Carmichael suffers a migraine and a broken shoulder, Trace Jackson, his best friend, simply moves in to take care of him. Their easy camaraderie is threatened when David discovers an undercurrent of heat and tension flowing between them. Despite knowing his best friend is straight, David is not-so-slowly falling in love.

Trace has never desired another man. He's a ladies' man with quite the reputation, considered a top prize around town. But his close, treasured friendship with David is intensified by the emotion and arousal, and the lure of having David so close is irresistible. Soon Trace makes it clear to David that he wants to know if they can make it work between them. Because Trace is sure he won't ever want anyone else—he already loves David.

What I liked about this book: This is truly a great romance not just a "gay for you" story about best friends falling into a relationship. It's quirky and fun while still retaining a bit of angst and the worries of first love. The authors decided to flesh out the story in this second edition and I have to say that I'm glad they did. Not that the first edition missed any of the great romance in lacking the additional 15,000 words added to this second edition, but the fleshing out solidified moments that stick with the reader long after putting the book down. I'm definitely going to be tossing this book out to those I plan to introduce to the male romance genre!

Excerpt:DAVID moved around the house, setting out snacks, brewing a pot of coffee and filling the ice bucket. Trace had dashed through the door minutes ago, just barely ahead of the other guys. He was in the bedroom changing now. Keeping busy to resist the urge to join him and catch a glimpse of the body that had been on his mind all day, David opened a bag of nuts, grateful that Trace seemed to have picked things in packages he could open.

Trace’s voice came from the back of the house. “David? Have you seen my red shirt? It’s not in the closet, and I’m sure I left it here.”

“Yeah,” David shouted back, moving toward the laundry room. “I threw it in the wash. Just a sec. I’ll get it.” Snatching the hanger off the rod where he’d hung it out of the dryer, David walked into the bedroom.

“Here you go.”

Trace was standing with his back to the door, pulling up very formfitting jeans over clinging boxer briefs. “Thanks,” he said distractedly as he settled the jeans on his hips, leaving them unfastened so he could tuck the shirt in. He turned around to reach for it. David gulped as Trace turned around, his eyes lingering on the muscular chest and the enticing line of dark hair traveling down from Trace’s belly button to disappear beneath his boxer briefs. Forcing his eyes back up, he watched with fascination as Trace’s nipples hardened
under his gaze.

Trace blinked as his body responded to that focused gaze. Wow. He could feel the tension zipping between them—something that had never happened before.

Whatever this was that was happening between them definitely wasn’t one-sided and that knowledge spread warmth through David’s body. Taking the shirt off the hanger, he stepped forward, intending to drape it around Trace’s shoulders just as the doorbell rang. Catching Trace’s eyes with a regretful look, he shrugged, turning away to answer the door.

Trace went still as he saw David looking over him frankly, and a zing rippled through him. He blinked and tilted his head. So last night wasn’t a fluke caused by scotch. He shifted his weight to move forward when he heard the bell, and the regret on David’s face was clear. Trace wondered what David would have done. “David,” Trace said. He took two steps to stop at his side and lifted the shirt from his hand before he could
leave the room. “Thanks.” It was meant for more than just bringing the shirt.

David’s heart, racing from his intimate examination of Trace’s chest, stopped as Trace spoke his name. One side of his mouth curled up in a smile. Just ask, he thought. Ask me to stay, and I’ll ignore the door and the people on the other side forever. “I’d better get the door.”

Reassured by David’s appraisal and the husk in his voice, Trace smiled slowly. He’d have never thought that discovering a man was aroused by him would feel so good. “Go on,” he said. “I’ll be out in a minute.”

heartstrings's review

emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

4.0

maiborn's review against another edition

emotional hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.0

whitneydr's review against another edition

3.0

Some changes I liked, some I didn't. I honestly couldn't tell the difference between the 2nd edition and the first. Maybe I'm falsely remembering what happened in the 1st edition, but I remember loving it and the 2nd edition was just meh.

mrella's review against another edition

This is simply not readable, as in "written so badly it gave me a splitting headache."

I was ready to DNF at around 10%, but then (for research purposes only, mind you) managed another 10%. No, it didn't get better. It got worse :/

What's this book about?
A guy with a migraine, a broken shoulder and on serious meds & his klutz of a friend getting together, drinking scotch and playing strip poker. Cause that's what you do when you are injured and are high on Oxycontin. Fun times. By-by liver and brains, hello more injuries.