REVIEW: The One You Fight For by Roni Loren

The One You Fight For by Roni Loren: Taryn has dedicated her life and research to developing interventions and ways to try to prevent school shootings. Her own life and that of her friends, schoolmates, and family was affected by a school shooting at her prom. She’s still dealing with the guilt and aftermath all these years later as she tries to make up for losing her sister. She’s intelligent, focused, and a workaholic.

Shaw’s life also changed by the same school shooting, except in some different ways. As the older brother of one of the shooters, he’s been targeted by the press and labeled as violent. He lost a brother, his family, his shot at the Olympics, and any sense of privacy. He’s back in Austin, but he’s also taken steps to change his name and appearance to fly under the radar as much as possible.

Taryn has been pushing herself and works almost non-stop. After a bad blind date, she finds herself stepping out of her comfort zone and running into Shaw. Unlike her date, they certainly have chemistry and she’s definitely interested. They meet again when Taryn is bullied into joining the newest gym, where Shaw is a part owner and trainer.

“That actually sounds pleasant compared to rain-soaked and freezing.”
His lips lifted at one corner. “We’ll see if you’re still saying that after the workout.”
She laughed. “I’ll probably just be cursing you and the horse you rode in on.”
“Probably,” he said brightly.

Shaw has largely isolated himself and Taryn tempts him like no one else to break his self-imposed rules and actually date someone. He can’t see a future for them, due to their connected past, but he can’t stop thinking about her. He loves her passion and competitive spirit, and he challenges her to break out of her comfort zone. She provides him with comfort and a safe space to be himself. Everything is easy when it’s just them, and their relationship evolves into more than just the fling they intended.

“You’re telling me all this even when I said no, that I wouldn’t help you?”
Her lips kicked up at the corners. “Oh, I’m not worried. You’re going to change your mind about that whether we kiss or not.”
He cocked his head, amused at her confidence. “Oh, is that right, professor?”

The One You Fight For is heartbreaking, emotional, and passionate. Roni Loren pulls you into a timely story with humor, banter, and conflict while offering a variety of perspectives. Ms. Loren created entertaining and complicated characters that are relatable and enjoyable to follow through this series of standalones. Fans of Kristen Callihan, Corinne Michaels, and Meghan Quinn will love The One You Fight For.

Book Info:

Publication: January 1st 2019 | Sourcebooks Casablanca | The Ones Who Got Away #3

How hard would you fight for the one you love?
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…
How do you find your happy ending?