I have heard good things about this writing duo and reading their work was one of my goals for this year. So, when the chance came for me to read The One, I Left Behind, I quickly grabbed it up. A second chance romance set in a small town added to the appeal. The One I Left Behind tells the story of a single mom, and a retired football player. Their relationship ended fourteen years ago, and fate gave them a second chance to get it right.
It’s the classic story—boy goes off into the world to fulfill his dreams and leaves the girl behind. I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. This post contains affiliate links you can use to purchase the book. If you buy the book using that link, I will receive a small commission from the sale.
Title: The One I Left Behind
Author(s): Piper Rayne
Series: Plain Daisy Ranch #1
Also in this series: The One I Stood Beside
Published by Piper Rayne Inc. on May 14, 2024
Genre(s): Contemporary Sports Romance
Source: Publicist
Format: eArc 
Purchase: Amazon|Audible
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Not every boy returns home, and I wish Ben Noughton wouldn’t have come back to our small ranching town at all after he retired from playing professional football.
I figure it’s a quick layover for him. He always wanted out of this town and off his family’s ranch. I just have to bide my time until he turns his back on all of us again.
Then he takes on the coaching position for the high school football team and starts milling around too much, bulldozing the protective walls I’ve built around myself. But he goes too far when he takes my son under his wing to help him be the best player he can be. Leaving me to protect not only my own heart but my son’s too.
Because I promised myself a long time ago that I’d never be the girl in the rearview mirror again.
Gillian and Ben were high school sweethearts. Everyone thought they made the perfect couple and would eventually get married. However, Ben got an amazing opportunity to play college football and eventually becoming pro, which saw him leaving for the big city. Their relationship couldn’t survive the long distance and so it ended, leaving them both devastated. The story begins fourteen years later with Ben retiring and returning home for the first time in many years. The moment they laid eyes on each other they both knew their love for each other never died
Gillian sure gave Ben a hard time, whenever he attempted to connect with her. One can understand her reasons, afterall the man did break her heart. However, she had a hard time denying her feelings and soon she accepted him back into her life. I have to admit though I wanted Ben to grovel more. He got off too easy especially since it took him fourteen years to recognize that his life was incomplete without Gillian.
The story had its fun moments. I enjoyed the camaraderie between the characters, and it was interesting meeting each one. I also enjoyed the small-town vibe The story ended on a good note, although there were some issues I had hoped to see resolved within in the story.
Overall, i appreciate The One I Left Behind for the escape it afforded me. I look forward to the next book in the series.
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