The One That Got Away cover art

The One That Got Away

A Short Story

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The One That Got Away

By: Mike Gayle
Narrated by: David Ijiti
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About this listen

From bestselling author Mike Gayle, a story about exes and how to get over them. Or not.

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.

Now he’s faced with the ultimate question: 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?

Enlisting the help of his friends, Reuben is all set to mark the occasion with distraction on a grand scale: Ferraris, champagne, and a VIP box at the races.

But on the morning of the Big Day, Reuben gets a phone call that not only derails his elaborate itinerary: it may well change his life completely…

For fans of David Nicholls, Nick Hornby and the agony uncle of heartbreak himself, a story that asks: just how far would you go to get over the love of your life?

©2025 Mike Gayle. (P)2025 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved. Anthologies & Short Stories Family Life Friendship Genre Fiction Short Stories Heartfelt

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All stars
Most relevant  
I fell head over heels in love with adorable Reuben and spent much time scowling at ungrateful Beth.
I've met girls like her in the past, the sort of woman who can't make her mind up and plays with men's feelings. I might have even been one myself (oops). The simple answer is this: in love, if you can't decide which one you want, you don't want either.
It's fine for me to make this comment at my ripe old age. I wish I'd known this far earlier in my life.
Beth sucks and Reuben needs a slap! And I'm Pete's No.1 fan.

4/5

I was screaming at this book!

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I love Mike Gayle's writing style. This was short but very sweet, and enjoyable. When will Turning Thirty be brought out on audio?

So good

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I’m a bit biased as I adore pretty much anything Mike Gayle writes but this really was great! A little like the early stuff and that’s no bad thing.
Perfect length and I loved the ending.

Short but sweet treat

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Mike Gayle never disappoints. He is the best writer of relationships and the mundane out there, weaving stories out of not a lot. This is a short story and worthy of your time

Relationships

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