Today I’m sharing my book recommendation for The One Who Got Away by Tara Grace Ericson. This book has been sitting near the top of my Kindle TBR list for around eighteen months. It would edge closer to the top, and then I’d need to read a different book and it would slip back a slot or two. I’ve been watching the first season of Fire Country tv series and I was more than ready to read a fun and fabulous firefighter contemporary Christian romance. Last week I finally had the opportunity to read The One Who Got Away.
Here’s the Book Description:
The relationship is fake. But the sparks are real.
Can these best friends rekindle a second chance at first love? Or will they both end up burned?
Right here at the Minden Fire Department is exactly where I belong. But when I became Captain Storm, apparently it meant I needed a wife. Or at least, that’s what my mom’s friends think.
When Krystal comes back to town, I don’t know what to think. She was my best friend in high school. The truth is I loved her–as much as any eighteen-year-old kid could have. I think she loved me, too.
But she left, anyway.
I really do understand why. She had dreams to chase in Hollywood. How could I deny her that?
She’s here now, though. For eight weeks. And she’s taking over the fire department charity auction while her mom recovers from her fall, which means working with me.
I know we’re just friends. She’s going back to LA after the auction, but maybe her presence could get my mom’s friends off my back for a minute. We’ll just let people assume there is more to our friendship… No harm, no foul. I really could use the break from my personal matchmakers’ attention.
And I won’t say no to a little extra time with Krystal. I’m probably torturing myself. Friends is all we’ll ever be. Even a fake relationship can’t change the fact that she was The One Who Got Away.
Visit Second Chance Fire Station and discover the small town stories of faith, friendships, and forever happy endings that Tara Grace Ericson is known for.
Narelle’s Thoughts:
I enjoyed reading The One Who Got Away, set in the fictional small town of Minden, Indiana. Bryce is a firefighter who grew up in Minden and always loved Krystal. He was heartbroken when Krystal graduated high school and left town for the bright lights of Hollywood.
Fast forward fifteen years, and Krystal is temporarily back in Minden to help her mother recuperate after a nasty fall. Bryce accidentally stumbles into a fake relationship with Krystal, and sees the advantages in stopping the town folk from playing matchmaker. Krystal is on the cusp of scoring her first leading role in a faith based movie. She reignites her old friendship with Bryce but she believes they can’t have a future together.
I loved journeying with Bryce and Krystal as they overcame obstacles in the story on their path to a second chance at love. I gained intriguing insights into Bryce’s firefighter working life and the unique job challenges he faced. The side characters are fun and I appreciated the story connections with The Bloom Sisters series.
I’m looking forward to reading Jake and Monica’s romance story in the next book in the Second Chance Fire Station series. I recommend The One Who Got Away to contemporary romance readers who like second chance and fake relationship romances with a firefighter hero and a relevant faith element in the story.
Learn more about Tara Grace Ericson and her books at her website.
🥹 Thank you so much for reading and for sharing such a lovely review!
I have this book in my TBR stack!!
This one is in my tbr as well. Very timely review post after last weeks post about what takes a book from your tbr list to being read. Thanks :)
This sounds like a great read.
I have read this book. Here is my review:
The author did a great job writing this love story. Bryce had loved Krystal since high school, but she never knew it. She thought they were just friends. She didn’t realize that she broke his heart when she left town after high school. She wanted to pursue her dreams of acting, and he wanted to stay in Minden.
Krystal came back to town to take care of her mother when she fell and broke her back. Would this be Bryce’s chance for a happy ever after? Would Krystal decide to stay in Minden or go back to L.A.? These questions are answered in the book.
Great book!
Sounds fabulous. Thank you so much for sharing. God bless you.
Hi Tara, You’re very welcome 😊
Hi Trudy, I highly recommend bouncing it up to the top of your TBR! Thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Dianne, Yes, Emily’s post last week was excellent and insightful. I recommend reading Tara’s book ASAP. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Alicia, It is a great read, and I hope you’ll have an opportunity to read Tara’s book. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Bonnie, Thanks for sharing your lovely review of The One Who Got Away. It’s a great story. 😊
Hi Debra, Yes, it’s a fabulous read, and I hope you’ll have a chance to read Tara’s book. Thanks for commenting. 😊