After another date gone wrong, Taryn Landry was walking slowly home
when the music from a local bar stopped her in her tracks. Against her
better judgment, Taryn walked in and did something she had never
done before: she went on stage and sang. Maybe she would have been
a songwriter if her sister Nia hadn't been killed in the Long Acre High
shooting. After her performance, she panics and runs out straight into
the arms of a very good-looking dude. But his eyes seem strangely
familiar ... But Lucas Shaw doesn't date anymore. If he did, nothing
could stop him from asking this woman on a date, but no one has
recognized him, and no one must know that he is Shaw Miller, the
brother of the Long Acre shooter.
THE ONE YOU FIGHT FOR is nearly
as exciting as THE ONES WHO GOT
AWAY, the first book in the series of the same name; book one being unique in its genre.
The situation in this installment is exceptionally volatile: try to imagine
being attracted to someone you should never even consider. Shaw and
Taryn are still very much affected by the shooting, even though it
happened fourteen years ago. It practically stopped Shaw from living,
and Taryn only fares slightly better. She has her friends and a
successful career but she is consumed by her research on school
shootings; all she does is teach and do her research.
THE ONE YOU FIGHT FOR is one
of those books that I read on two levels: how the characters handle it,
and how I might deal with the situation, and for that reason, this was an
even more thought-provoking book than I had anticipated. Roni Loren
conveys with passion and emotion the pain, panic, and awful memories
Shaw and Taryn have experienced, their seemingly empty lives, as well
as the inescapable chemistry they try to fight. I was a bit surprised but
extremely pleased at how Taryn handled Shaw's big reveal. There was
not as much drama as I had expected, but it was logical. I also loved
how the author stayed focused on the real issues, and Shaw and Taryn
falling in love was certainly one of them. For once, the need to avoid
relationships was justified, and not a plot device.
Taryn was a favorite of mine from early on, and I'm pleased to see that
Ms. Loren's characters have remained consistent throughout the series
so far. This said, THE ONE YOU FIGHT
FOR stands entirely on its own, but reading the previous books will
definitely not be a waste of your time if you haven't already. The
friendship between the women, Taryn and her friends Liv, Becca, and
Kincaid, is as strong as ever, and the superb dialogue makes that
friendship palpable and feels genuine. In fact, Kincaid nearly steals the
show with her bubbly personality, and I cannot wait to read her own
story; she is so alive that she almost jumps off the page, but what ails
her? Additionally, Taryn's parents are also exquisitely crafted
characters.
A couple of details that tampered my enjoyment, just a teeny bit: a plot
twist that I had unfortunately seen coming, and the sex scenes which I
found to slow down the story and brought me out of the story. But all of
these quibbles were forgotten because of the extraordinarily moving
end of the book. The ending was intense, gut-wrenching, poignant, and
supremely emotional. THE ONE YOU
FIGHT FOR is a great book to start with in 2019!
Taryn Landry was there that awful night fourteen years ago
when Long Acre changed from the name of a town to the title
of a national tragedy. Everyone knows she lost her younger
sister. No one knows it was her fault. Since then,
psychology professor Taryn has dedicated her life's work to
preventing something like that from ever happening again.
Falling in love was never part of the plan...
Shaw Miller has spent more than a decade dealing with the
fallout of his brother's horrific actions. After losing
everything—his chance at Olympic gold, his family,
almost his sanity—he's changed his name, his look,
and he's finally starting a new life. As long as he keeps a
low profile and his identity secret, everything will be
okay, right?
When the world and everyone you know defines you by one
catastrophic tragedy...
Now this a subject requiring delicate handling! Sounds as if 's. Loren has successfully done so. Great review and thank you. (Kathleen Bylsma 4:00pm December 29, 2018)
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