The one That Got Away is a romance novel by Olivia Spring.
This was such a cute and fun read. I loved the story and there was a good mix of characters.
Overall, a good, fun and easy to follow read that I would recommend to other readers.
❤️ Thank you to netgalley, the author and publisher for my copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Love Island meets Love is Blind in Book form

Max is an ex football player who broke Stella’s heart.
Stella has been on a string of bad dates and is in a rut helping her mom run her business after having her heart broken by Max ten years ago.

So when max’s buddy signs him up and Stella’s mom signs her up to the “ Love Island Hotel” the last thing either expect is to be paired with each other.

First looks can be deceiving. After much convincing, Stella arrives at the Love Island Hotel and almost instantly sees a man who is a 10 out of 10, tall, broad shouldered, a swim goddess. This may turn out to be not so bad after all. If her date looks anything like the guy she just saw accompanied with the drop dead scenery, how bad can these two weeks be?

Little does she know it is none other than Max. The one and only dreadful, bast*ard of an ex who broke her heart years ago. First impressions, or rather second first impressions are not good when Max shows up late on the first dinner date.

Neither of these two want to be paired together and both want to leave. After being told to stay one week and try it out, the sexual chemistry is strong. Can these two come together for a happy ever after? Does the Love Hotel really find your “Perfect match?”

Through spicy scenes, cute emotions and funny moments, Olivia Spring brings a romantic comedy of exes to lovers.

Spice Level: ****
Rating: 3.5

A quick fast pace book that will leave you with a feel good feeling. Told in dual POV by Max and Stella. You will find yourself banging your head against the wall while these two go through their heads and battle between which “One” to follow.

I received a copy of this on Net galley and ate it up!

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this arc!

This was such a good book. I really enjoyed it. More than I thought I would. I loved the writing style. This book had me hooked from page one. This is a first for me by this author but will not be my last!!

I love a good summer romcom and so I like expected enjoyed this book. I liked the characters, the writing style and the dialogues.

4.5☆
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This is a great rom-com | second-chance romance. This was a fun read. I was giggling and rubbing my feet together like a school girl throughout this book because it is just so relatable and good! Who doesn't enjoy a relatable read? I know I do! All I have to say is, READ THIS BOOK!
𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬:
•Second-Chance Romance
•Black Love
𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 Oct.16
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Thank you, Netgalley, and Boldwood Books for the eBook in exchange for my honest review.

I received a digital ARC of this book. I couldn’t stop turning the pages. Who hasn’t thought about “the one who got away” in their life? Stella and Max dated when they were in college, but had a horrible break up. Both are single and being pressured to find someone. Stella’s mom secretly signs her up for the Love Hotel who guarantee to find you your perfect match. Max’s bff does the same. But when they walk in to meet their perfect match and discover each other, they both want to immediately leave. But they get talked into staying since it’s already paid for and there are no refunds. You will be waiting for these characters to figure out that they ARE meant for each other. Also, if you’re single you’re going to be wishing this place really existed and they could find your perfect match. I’m honestly hoping there’s a sequel coming next!

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I found the book really easy to read, especially if you enjoy enemies to lovers books with some spice.
The Love Hotel is an invitation only, exclusive five-star, all-inclusive luxury resort in Spain hiring the world’s best matchmaking experts who guarantee to find the perfect partner for all of their guests.

Unbeknown to Stella, her mum has signed her up for the Love Hotel and when she receives the call to say that they have found her perfect match, little does she expect to find out that her perfect match is her ex-boyfriend from 12 years ago who broke her heart and has been signed up to the resort by his best friend.

Each chapter is alternated between Stella and Max telling the story. The story has lots of pent up passion between the two main characters and it’s obvious how the book is going to end.

I really enjoyed the story but the one criticism that I have that I found the dialogue seemed forced in certain situations and had lots of explanation. It felt that the dialogue was then repeated as the chapters alternated between the two characters, so he felt something and then she felt the same thing without them telling each other. Don’t get me wrong, this doesn’t spoil the book in any way, it was purely an observation.

Olivia Springs’s books are just like her name: bright, refreshing, warm and sparkling. Readers can enjoy these sensations in her vibrant new book, The One That Got Away. After some changes in her life, graphic artist Stella has moved back home with her mother and spends most of her time helping with her mother’s lingerie business. Stella has little time for socialization and even less time to find a significant other. Watching her daughter all but wither away, Stella’s mother signs her up for a stint at a “Love Hotel” where she is guaranteed to find her perfect match. After much prodding, Stella arrives at the hotel only to find that her perfect match is Max, the boy who broke her heart years ago! Seeing Max again is bittersweet, when they parted, he was young and seemingly easily led, now he is all man…gorgeous, handsome man! Like Stella, Max has been coerced into attending by his best friend. But unlike Stella, he views their unexpected meeting as an opportunity to explain his actions in the past. Will Max be able to justify why he pushed her away all those years ago and make peace for once and for all? Ms. Spring uses the tropes of enemies to lovers, forced proximity and second chance love to move the narrative. I enjoyed all aspects of this book, Stella and Max made a stellar couple (pun intended). In addition, I always like it when I read a book and the author gives me a hint that I will see this couple again, perhaps as a part of Jasmine and Alejandro’s story!?
Thank you to NetGalley, Boldwood Books and the author for the chance to review.

Thank you to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for this e-ARC.

To whoever came up with the idea of a love hotel, GENIUS!! This book had me laughing out loud so many times!! It was just as heartwarming as it was funny. If you love second chance tropes as much as I do, please get into this book. It did not disappoint.

Honestly, I DNF'd this one at 34%. I'm not sure why I couldn't get into it. I liked the idea of the plot. Not to mention it has some of my favorite tropes, such as enemies to lovers and forced proximity. Not to mention, I'm also a sucker for second chances (as long as it's deserved).

That being said, it just didn't hit right with me. The dialogue felt weird and forced in some situations. Plus, I felt like there was an excessive amount of explanation points.

Part of me wonders if some of the issue is that the characters are from Loudon and I'm not good with the lingo. Most of my experience with books where the characters are from that area, tend to be period pieces.

I didn't hate it but I also wasn't invested. I still don't know how their relationship originally ended and I'm not bothered by it.

This is my first novel from this author and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It’s fresh and modern with some great main characters. The plot flows well and kept me engaged. Thank you to NetGalley, Boldwood Books and the author for the chance to review.

The One Who Got Away by Olivia Spring is a captivating and heartwarming tale that explores the complexities of love, loss, and second chances. The story follows the journey of Emma, a successful career woman who seems to have it all—except the one thing she truly desires: a lasting, meaningful relationship. When fate unexpectedly reunites her with James, the charming ex-boyfriend she never quite got over, Emma is forced to confront her past and reconsider the choices she’s made.

Olivia Spring does a brilliant job of weaving together humor, emotion, and romance in a way that feels both authentic and engaging. The characters are well-developed and relatable, with Emma’s internal struggles and James’ mix of confidence and vulnerability adding depth to their dynamic. As the story unfolds, readers are taken on an emotional rollercoaster filled with moments of joy, regret, and hope.

One of the standout aspects of this book is the way Spring handles the theme of "the one who got away." It’s a concept that resonates with many, and she explores it with nuance, allowing the reader to reflect on their own experiences with love and missed opportunities. The chemistry between Emma and James is palpable, and their journey towards potential reconciliation is both believable and satisfying.

Overall, The One Who Got Away is a delightful read that will appeal to fans of contemporary romance. Olivia Spring has delivered a story that is as much about self-discovery as it is about rekindled love, making it a must-read for anyone who enjoys a well-told romantic tale with a touch of realism. This book is a testament to the idea that sometimes, the person who got away might just be the one worth fighting for.

The Love Hotel is an exclusive luxury resort near Marbella in Spain, which claimed to help people find their perfect match. It’s super fancy and expensive but you get what you pay for. It’s five-star, all-inclusive accommodation and they hire the world’s best matchmaking experts to find the perfect partner for all their guests.

Despite Stella telling her mom repeatedly that she wasn’t interested, her Mum had gone behind her back and applied apparently finding her perfect match. Only for Stella to show up at this luxury resort and find out that her perfect match is her ex-boyfriend from 12 years ago. This is a dual perspective second chance romance that I thought was a decent read. It has very low angst, but lots of passion between the two main characters. With second chance romances, it’s obvious how the book is going to end. What makes it special is the buildup to get to that ending point and I thought this book did a great job of trying to connect these characters and rebuild their relationship. 3.5 stars

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

3.5⭐️


Stella y Max fueron novios, ella pensaba que siempre estarían juntos hasta que él rompió la relación para priorizar su carrera deportiva.

Años después ambos se inscriben en un programa en el que encuentran a tu pareja perfecta y para su sorpresa son emparejados. Ahora tendrán que pasar dos semanas juntos realizando actividades, dedicándose canciones, tomándose fotos y hablando sobre el pasado.


Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely loved this book. The characters are so perfect and I enjoyed the whole idea of the love hotel it was brilliant. A really easy read, I literally picked this up and finished it later that night. I will definitely be on the hunt for this authors books as this book is definitely one of my new favourites.

When Stella finds out that her mum has signed her up for The Love Hotel: a luxury matchmaking service in Spain where true love is guaranteed, she is horrified at the thought. That is until a match has been found for her. Stella jets off on a two week break to meet Mr Right. How bad could it be? That is until she finds out she has been matched with her ex Max. With no way out, she has to try and make the most of this holiday, but will she be able to keep Max at arms length?

The One That Got Away (written by Olivia Spring, author of My Ten Year Crush) is a gorgeous romantic comedy novel set in sunny Spain. It is a dual perspective which is really effective for a romance novel. I like the fact you can see the relationship from both points of view. Stella and Max were both such relatable characters too, their emotions felt so genuine and real.

This was such a fun read too, there were a few parts of the book that had me in stitches. It’s been a long time since I have read a romance that has genuinely had me laughing out loud. Once I started reading, I struggled to put it down. I managed to devour this book in just a little over a day.

There are some steamy scenes in this book but I think that they worked perfectly to convey the build up of passion between the two protagonists. I have read a lot of romance novels and cringed at the steamy scenes because they felt so false. Thankfully, this wasn't the case with this book, the scenes were well written and spaced out so it didn’t seem unrealistic. I felt that there was a good amount of balance between the main and side characters. The Love Hotel sounded so luxurious and picturesque, the imagery definitely made me wish I was in a hot country.

The only critique I had for the book was near the end, there was a slight cliffhanger for two of the secondary characters. I felt that this was a little unnecessary, but needless to say if a sequel comes out about those two then I will definitely read it.

What if the one who got away is really the one?

When Stella finds herself back home with a string of disastrous dates under her belt, she's certain she’s hit rock bottom. Until she discovers her mother has signed her up to The Love Hotel: a luxury matchmaking service where a perfect love match is guaranteed! Stella is adamant she'll have nothing to do with this nonsense! But then a match is found faster than she can say 'Not.A.Chance!' So, how bad can two weeks in the scorching Spanish sunshine be?

4.5🌟
This was soooo good.
It was such a fun vibe.
If you like Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren, you’ll probably like this too.
It had similar vibes even though the story was really different.
I would have given this book a higher rating but i felt like it got a little overpowered by the sexual explicit scenes. (Which i personally don't like)
If i remove all of that, it was such a solid read and again a FUN read.

Tropes:
● Second chance
● One hotel
● One room
● Fun adventure scenes
● "i never stopped loving you"

One of the best arcs i have read.