This is not really a stand-alone romance, I recommend reading the first book in this series before The One You Can't Forget. Roni Loren is proving to be an author I truly enjoy. I plan to do a more complete review of this book and the others in the series when I complete the entire series. ( )

Oh, this series. It just rips my heart out one page--heck, sometimes even one paragraph!--at a time.

That said, you really could read this book without having read the first one ( The Ones Who Got Away ) first. You'd miss a little bit of Rebecca's backstory with her former high school crush, but that's okay--all the major details you need to know going in about her history as a Long Acre survivor are told here, and though she does spend time with some of the other survivors (especially at the infamous "Bitching Brunches" that I might give up a limb to attend, if only they weren't fictional...okay, come to think of it, it's probably fortunate for everyone that they are) if you don't already know Liv and Finn's story, you'll still do just fine.

I can't promise you won't have a burning desire to know Live and Finn's story ASAP, however. I make no guarantees here. But I digress.

The One You Can't Forget started out strong--even though a shared event brings Rebecca and Wes together, they're soon on opposite sides when their past connection comes to light, giving the story a touch of an enemies-to-lovers vibe. When they get past that, their families (ugh, don't get me started on them!) and their own individual past demons step in to try and put on the brakes.

Then the last 20% of the book happens...OMG, I can't even tell you how many tissues I went through. Those last few chapters were absolutely draining...and thankfully, ended in one heck of an HEA. I can't think of two people who deserve it more! At least until Taryn and Kincaid get their books, that is... :)

Rating: 4 1/2 stars / A-

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book. ( )