Abbey's life is a mess! 20 something, stressed, sleep deprived, trying to juggle two children, in a job she hates. She is working as an unappreciated publicist for a boss from hell. Her marriage to Jimmy is going down hill as the bills pile up and his landscaping business is floundering because of the poor economy. A huge quarrel erupts hen he finds a bill for the $599 Marc Jacobs handbag she bought to cheer herself. He tells her in no uncertain terms, it must be returned. What happened to the fun and banter she and Jimmy used to have? Now it is just getting through one day on to the next. Abbey has tried to be a perfect mother and a perfect wife but she is falling short on both accounts. What if? She recently saw a picture of Alex van Holt, dashing, beyond gorgeous as ever, in a fashion magazine. She refused a date with him years ago. What if she had not refused?

At Nordstrom's the next morning, a hot cup of coffee in one hand, handbags in the other she gets on the escalator. Fuming and wondering what to tell the customer services rep to get a credit, she falls backwards, flips over and lands on the hard marble floor, hitting her head and blacking out.

Abbey wakes up in the hospital She is in a plush room and standing by her bedside is Alex van Holt. He kisses her when he sees she is awake. She is shocked when he continues to refer to her as his wife. She has awakened to someone else's life and it is Abigail van Hold. She is now in an alternate reality as a Philadelphia wife of a blueblood zillionaire. Released from the hospital to a gorgeous penthouse apartment with a nanny to take care of her two children. (They looked just like her other two children except these are brats.) A closet filled with designer clothes, two beauty experts who prepare her for the many parties, and balls on her social calendar. A day filled with nothing to do but shop, having all the money she needs to buy anything she wants. Then to be get ready to spend the evening with Alex in his pursuit to become congressman in a few weeks. It is so different from her previous life, but is she happy?

THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY is a yummy fiction debut by Leigh Himes that I found delicious. A sweet story that will appeal to anyone curious about a road not taken. Abbey is a delightful character who makes a choice in this funny but thought provoking and romantic tale. Living an alternate reality with a handsome, blue blood on the Main Line in Philadelphia versus struggling in a blue collar neighborhood with Jimmy who is always there for her and is fun. What to do?

Abigail DiSiano/Lahey/van Holt has a lot to think about. I laughed at her attempts to go along with this charade while questioning many of her decisions. Her mother-in-law was easy to loath and my heart went out to May, the nanny. I loved the ending and the storytelling genius of Leigh Himes. Sweet story that has great appeal. I loved it and you have a new fan. Thanks Ms. Himes.