New York Times bestselling author Roni Loren returns to her emotional series about the survivors of a school shooting with The One You Fight For. This third installment might just be Loren’s most heart-wrenching romance yet—it will undoubtedly bring you to tears.
Psychology professor Taryn Landry is still haunted by her sister’s death during a horrifying mass murder at Long Acre High School’s prom night. Motivated by her grief, Taryn devotes her career and research to the prevention of gun violence, determined to make sure no one else has to lose their little sister like she did. Wracked with guilt over her sister’s death and the way it destroyed their family, Taryn becomes consumed with trying to establish preventive measures to combat future shootings. But a chance encounter at an open mic night leads to an unexpected and complicated romance.
Shaw Miller is desperately trying to rebuild his life after establishing a new identity. His brother was one of the perpetrators of the Long Acre massacre, and the fallout from his actions destroyed Shaw’s Olympic dreams, his family and nearly himself. Treated as a villain in the media after the incident, Shaw struggled daily, but nearly fifteen years later, he hopes he can finally have a normal life—until he meets Taryn.
Neither Taryn nor Shaw immediately realize how the two of them are connected, and that sense of dread hangs over their initial romance, making The One You Fight For an addicting and tense read. When will they find out about their pasts? How will they handle it? By the time they connect the dots, it’s too late. Though Taryn and Shaw acknowledge their chemistry, they’re soon faced with bigger issues of forgiveness and whether their families can accept a relationship so fraught with emotional baggage.
It’s truly a feat to address the issue of gun violence with the delicacy, care and realism of Loren’s series, which somehow gets better with every new release. Loren does an outstanding job crafting romances that balance love, grief and a whole slew of other messy, complicated emotions. Tissues are a must for this book. At times, The One You Fight For can be painful, but the beauty of romance is that there will always be a happy ending, and its one that Taryn and Shaw definitely deserve. Two people whose lives have been consumed by loneliness and forever marked by tragedy learn to open themselves up to love, instead of continuing to punish themselves. It’s a beautiful sentiment and is couched in a romance that is seriously worth the read. Full of complex relationships and friendships forged through trauma, this is an unforgettable addition to an equally unforgettable series.
