Book Review: The One for You by Roni Loren

In “The One for You,” the fourth (and final book?) of “The Ones Who Got Away,” author Roni Loren brings everyone back to Long Acre.

Of course, Kincaid Brelin never left. She chose to make her life in her hometown after the tragic school shooting at Long Acre High. But her childhood best friend and classmate Ashton Isaacs took a different route. He left after high school to lead the life of a rolling stone as he lived in Europe and all over the US but never in their hometown.

The One for You (The Ones Who Got Away Book 4)

Perhaps it is fate or actually just a circumstance, Ashton found himself in a dire situation. Having gained some fame as a writer, his next book was due soon – his editor and the publishing house were waiting for the first draft to be submitted.

Ash needed a quiet place to stay to write. So, when the parents of an old classmate offered a studio apartment free of charge, he accepted. The only drawback, the apartment was in Long Acre!

To Ash, his hometown held bittersweet memories. On top of the list was the high school shooting which changed the course of his life. There were also his estranged parents. And of course, there was Kincaid – his first love. He was never able to tell her because she was in love with another.

A decade had passed, and he was back. Kincaid was also back in his life. Still, between his current messy life and the baggage from 10 years ago, he found himself tongue-tied once again. He could not tell Kincaid that he still cared.

Because if he did, he would also have to tell her the truth on what really happened on that fateful night. Kincaid’s heart will be broken all over again and Ash would be the one to put it back together because Kincaid could not do it on her own this time around.

Once again, Roni Loren told a beautiful story that not just tugged at your heartstrings but a full-on tearjerker. For those who had read the first three books, we already knew what happened. Yet, the secret that Ash had kept was a bombshell. So, we cry once again for the loss of their innocence and these high school kids growing up overnight.

I am presuming that “The One for You” is the last book in the series. I don’t want to say that Roni Loren saved the best for last because all four books touched my heart. But this one reminded me of one of Guy du Maupassant’s short stories about true love.

No, “The One for You” is not a derivative of that one by Guy du Maupassant. The common thread is the asking the question, “How do you define true love?” Without actually saying it, both Loren and du Maupassant asked it. Arriving to the answer was what was heartbreaking.

A great read! “The One for You” should be one of your first reads for 2020. Rated T for Teens. Parental guidance strongly advised due to references to school shooting.