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 he 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.
