I found The One That Got Away a glib slice of life in which jilted Rueben is called to rescue his ex, Beth, on her Wedding Day. I found the characters well developed enough, which can sometime be problematic in short stories, however, I didnt feel any connection for them. I simply didn't care about them. I found it lacked the heart of Gayle's novel All The Lonely People, which I previously read and loved. I realize that's a me problem, as there was no promise this would have the same style. I just wish it did.

The narration was fine but didn't add anything special to change my mind or make me more invested in the story.

Many thanks to NetGalley, and Brilliance Publishing Amazon Original Stories for gifting me an audio ARC of this short story by Mike Gayle, narrated by David Ijiti. All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 3.5 stars!

Reuben thought he’d spend the rest of his life with Beth, until she broke his heart six months ago. He’s not even remotely over her, so he’s devastated to hear she’s getting married—this weekend. What should he do on the day of her wedding? His buddies have some plans, but things don't always go according to them!

I'm a Mike Gayle fan and was anxious to read this short story. It goes back to Then so we understand their relationship, and Now. There were some good life lessons here as well as having friends who will support you no matter what. A cute story.

This is a charming rom com for the lads and made for a perfect short story.

Like the title states, it is story of the one that got away - it’s been six months and Rueben is still not over the break up with his ex Beth, a series of events occur and they find themselves questioning if there’s a possible second chance in their future, we get a then and now perspective, learning of their past relationship and the reasons surrounding the break up and the story and conclusion takes a turn that will surprise you, in a good way, but it’s not what you expect.

For a short story it was surprisingly full of friendships, heart, humour, hope, grace, reflection and growth. The ending was perfection and the narrator did an incredible job at capturing this story.

I also loved the storyline between Reuben and his father, which surrounded loneliness.

Thank-you @netgalley @brilliancepublishing and Mike for an audio advanced readers copy, in exchange for an honest review.

I listened to this audiobook on NetGalley (thanks for the ARC) after also receiving an ebook via Amazon first reads. This is a short book (~2.5 hours) that never really pulled me in. Don’t read this if you’re looking for a love story- it’s more about getting over an ex. Even though this was brief, I was eager for it to be over and found it forgettable.

A man finds out about his ex-girlfriend who is about to marry another man, and he angrily goes to her place of employment to find out more? No thanks. I hung on for a little longer, but this character is intolerable. I don't know where this story was going, and I didn't want to find out. It is also very disjointed to have two timelines in a short story/novella.

My first read from Mike Gayle so I wasn't quite sure what to expect but I thoroughly enjoyed this! I think part of the relationship premise was a little weird but for such a short story it was fine. I enjoyed the writing, the characters in general, and the story plotting. I also thought the narrator was good and I enjoyed their performance! I'll definitely be picking up more from Gayle in the future!

This was eh, at best. For a short story, you get enough of each character, and honestly if I had to listen to more about or from them, it would’ve been terrible. The characters are not all that likeable, the story felt annoying, and while the end is clearly trying to impress the idea of carrying on in the face of heartbreak, it was just forgettable.

Thank you to NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing for this ALC in exchange for my honest review.

I was tempted into listening to this one purely because it's by an author I've been eager to read for quite a while!

Was it engaging? Absolutely!

Did it get on my nerves? Absolutely!

Reuben thought he’d spend the rest of his life with Beth until she broke his heart six months ago. He’s not even remotely over her, so he’s devastated to hear she’s getting married.
Now he’s faced with the ultimate what should he do on the day of the wedding? Grieve? Disrupt the ceremony? Or do everything in his power to pretend it’s not happening?
But on the morning of the Big Day, Reuben gets a phone call that may well change his life completely…

In my 20s I could devour romance/rom com novels in one sitting, probably because my romantic future was still full of unknown dreamy possibilities....but my interest for them waned after a while ...and sat here in my late 40s in a 20+ yrs relationship this short story has reminded me why... it's because characters in their late 20s/early 30s making idiotic and selfish decisions drive me insane...like in this short story. I was constantly berating the main characters, especially Reuben. And I know it's fiction and I know it's a short story but his sudden change in direction of decisions and emotions at the end was so unrealistic and ridiculous that I almost didn't bother listening to the last chapter. ..

However my attention never wavered, and because of the engaging writing, it certainly hasn't put me off trying other work by the author. But it's definitely help to know that rom coms and similar are deffo not for me anymore 🤣

Reuben is pining over his ex-girlfriend after they split up 6 months ago and to his shock he hears she is getting married the following week. What follows is a dual timeline story of his relationship with Beth and present day.

It was a readable short story and the narration was good but I didn’t like either of the main characters much. There were a few points which seemed far fetched, a Ferrari for example but maybe I just don't have those sort of friends.

The ending was the best part and was a good outcome but I don't want to give spoilers. I will continue to read books written by Mike Gayle, especially the longer ones as I really enjoy them.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the ARC

A story about lost love and letting go.

I really enjoyed this audiobook! It was very easy to get into, I enjoyed Gayle’s writing style and as each chapter finished it left me wanting more - so I whizzed through it in a day!

It was refreshing to read a romance book from a man’s perspective, especially as he was the insecure one in the relationship.

It was comical, heartwarming and sad in parts but without giving any spoilers has a happy ending - which is always a good thing 😊

Highly recommend for a quick, easy read - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I must add more Mike Gayle novels to my TBR - what would you recommend?

Thanks to @brilliancepublishing for an advanced audio copy via @netgalley. All opinions are my own. OUT NOW!


#theonethatgotaway #mikegayle #netgalley #brilliancepublishing #audiobook #audiobookrecommendations #bookreview #audiobookreview #shortstory

2.5⭐️ rounded up

This was unfortunately really not for me. It was a short story and the title and synopsis were obviously appealing however it just didn’t have any oomph to it. Just felt like something was missing it had a good plot and basis just maybe not enough sustenance!

The narration was I guess done well in the respect that it sounded mournful and sad which given the fact that the main character is down in his luck in love and sorrowful about his love life and belief in love overall but I think this had a poor impact on gaining interest.

It was done as a dual timeline of Beth, Reuben’s ex girlfriend getting married to Leo which he was devastated about going back and forth between her “getting married” and when she broke Reuben’s heart just 6 months before.

Although I did like the message at the end when he realised he was actually more in love with the potential of Beth than he was actually in love with Beth, the realisation of being in love with love itself! Also the little suggestions to do something for yourself like a spa day or hire a Ferrari made me lol 😝 so I did enjoy the epilogue!

Thanks to NetGalley & Brilliance Publishing for the opportunity to listen to this ELC in return for an open honest review 🙏🏼📚

The One That Got Away was a free short story for Amazon Prime members in April 2025, and I received the audiobook via NetGalley. The author does manage to pack a lot into this 100 page novella, using dual timelines to elucidate the demise of the relationship between Reuben and his ex-girlfriend Beth.

In present day, it is six months post-breakup and Reuben is still pining for Beth, only to discover her whirlwind engagement to and impending nuptials with another man. While the premise of this story appealed to me, I found both Beth and Reuben to be very emotionally immature and rather unlikable, which made me annoyed throughout the majority of this short tale. The last few pages, however, had some wisdom about long-term relationships that I appreciated and helped redeem this story.

Thank you to NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing for an audiobook ARC in exchange for my honest review.

mike gayle writes with warmth and heart, and there are some really touching moments.

the story moves a bit slowly at times, and some parts felt predictable, but it’s still an easy and emotional read. if you like stories about missed chances and reconnecting with someone from your past, this one’s worth a try.

I enjoyed this sweet and very funny short story (Novella). I loved Reuben’s personality and his relationships with everyone, especially Pete and his dad.
The story conveys raw emotion from the MMC's point of view, which is a refreshing change. ❤️
I look forward to reading more from this author.
Thank you to the publisher/author for the opportunity to listen to this complimentary advanced copy. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I zoomed through "The One That Got Away" by Mike Gayle, and honestly, it really hit a sweet spot for me. You know that feeling when a book just gets what it's like to have your heart a little bit squished? That's this one.
Reuben is going through it – his ex, Beth, the one he thought was the one, is getting married. Like, this weekend! And his plan to deal? A full-on, fancy distraction mission with his mates. Think fast cars and bubbly. It sounds like the kind of thing you'd joke about with your friends when you're trying to avoid reality, right?
What I really liked about this book is how real Reuben felt. You totally get his heartache and his awkward attempts to pretend he's fine. And his friends? They're the kind of crew everyone wishes they had – supportive, funny, and there for him even when he's probably being a bit much.
Just when you think you know where the story is going, BAM! Gayle throws in a curveball with that phone call. Seriously, it completely shifted things in a way I didn't see coming, and it made the whole journey even more interesting. It wasn't all about grand gestures to win back "the one"; it became more about Reuben figuring things out for himself, which I appreciated.
Mike Gayle has a way of writing that just draws you in. It's like chatting with a really good friend who just gets it. If you've ever been through a breakup or just enjoy stories about how life throws us unexpected turns, I'd definitely recommend picking this one up. It's a warm, funny, and ultimately hopeful read that earned a solid four stars from me. Definitely one to curl up with!

I enjoyed The One That Got Away overall, but I wouldn’t call it one of the strongest stories I’ve listened to. The plot had some heartfelt moments and relatable themes about friendship, missed chances, and personal growth. However, the pacing felt uneven—some parts dragged while others seemed rushed. The characters were likable, especially the lead, but they didn’t feel as deeply developed as I’d hoped.

As for the audiobook, the narration was solid but not outstanding. The narrator’s tone suited the story, but there wasn’t much vocal variety between characters, which made it hard to stay fully engaged at times. Still, it was an easy listen and a decent pick if you're in the mood for a light, reflective story.

This book was missing plot. Despite its length (or shortness, I should say), the dual timeline narrative still wastes time on unnecessary tangents as it jumps back and forth between now and how Beth and Reuben initially met. The entire book is a sort of relationship postmortem that felt bland and superficial. The narrator did a good job but couldn’t make me like—or even tolerate—the protagonist, who struck me as possessive and two-dimensional. Bummer. The synopsis sounded fun.

Thank you to NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing for the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

the setup…
It’s been six months and Reuben Miller is still not over the breakup with his ex-girlfriend Beth. When he learns she’s getting married this weekend, he considers a last attempt intervention until his friends plan one for him. They arrange a fancy day in a leased Ferrari to distract him…until Reuben gets a call from Beth as he’s just about to leave home.

the heart of the story…
This is a clever twist on the idea about “the one that got away.” Reuben thinks that call means a second chance and I wasn’t sure what it might be. We get a then and now narrative that puts some shape to Reuben and Beth’s relationship and why it ended. And, if there’s a second chance.

the narration…
It is all Reuben’s story to tell and David Ijiti gave him wonderful voice. Loved his performance and storytelling skills.

the bottom line…
In the interest of full disclosure, I will listen to anything Mike Gayle has to say in his writing. This may be short but still has his signature themes and messaging I adore. He fully captures the heart and soul of his characters. It’s quite the gem and the ending was perfection.