The One That Got Away

A Short Story

By: Mike Gayle

Narrated by: David Ijiti

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.

Short story concerning love

A short story that shows when a person is really in love, it is a feeling that cannot be denied. “Life doesn’t come with guarantees”. Great British accent for audio book.

Real, frustrating, like life.

This was a good listen. Frustrating at times but realistic. Good to watch some people work through their problems and allow & even help others along in doing the same.

Short & Sweet

I don’t seem to have the attention span for a long book right now. This was a good story with an unexpected twist.

Charming is an understatement

This is the best 2 hours and 44 minutes of my week. And I fell in love in the first 32 minutes. From a second-rate James Bond, this is a first-rate romance story. I wish every man I’ve ever dated read this book. (I’m looking at you, dismissive avoidants.) Relatable, charming, heartwarming, and funny when you least expect it. This book is everything I love. Tell the others.

ok read

This was a really good book! I liked this author, I'll definitely have to read more!

Mind blown yet intriguing but short and sweet

Learning to understand and look at another person’s point of view while the drama of the situation at hand turns out to be somethings else! Everyone is learning to understand what certain words mean.

Thought it would get better

Performance was great. It’s what kept me listening. When I think the story was going to get better it got a little worse. I don’t even want to hear the ending 🤦‍♀️

Not for me

I love Mike Gayle, any new book I’m listening but these characters were so unlikeable and their “love” which was just a cover for some very toxic traits left me rooting for no one