Readers fond of heartwarming stories about second chances and unexpected love will adore “The One I Didn’t See Coming.” Featuring a spirited heroine and a swoon worthy hero, “The One I Didn’t See Coming” offers a delightful mix of romance, humor, and emotional depth.
Title: The One I Didn't See Coming
Author(s): Piper Rayne
Series: Plain Daisy Ranch #3
Also in this series: The One I Left Behind , The One I Stood Beside
Published by Piper Rayne Inc. on September 10, 2024
Pages: 260
Genre(s): Contemporary Romance
Format: eArc
Purchase: Amazon|Audible
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It’s the classic story—girl returns to her hometown only to end up moving in with her high school crush, who she hates.
Returning to Willowbrook was my only option after Chicago chewed me up and spit me out. Technically, it wasn’t Chicago’s fault. It was his fault—the man I thought I knew who turned out to be a liar.
My older sister, always the one to swoop in and fix things, secured me a job as a yoga instructor on her fiancé’s family ranch. As my self-assigned protector, she’s keeping one eye on me and one eye on Emmett Noughton, her fiancé’s brother.
He’s the charming, fun-loving, take-life-as-it-comes kind of guy, and once upon a time, his name was scribbled in my notebooks. Back then, I was invisible to him. Now, he’s looking at me like I’m the only thing in the room. But he lost his chance with me a long time ago.
It’s easy to keep him at arm’s length and nurse the grudge I’ve held onto for years. Until the house I’m staying in sells, and I have nowhere to go except his house. Now, resisting him isn’t just difficult—it’s impossible.
“The One I Didn’t See Coming” is the third installment in the Plain Daisy Ranch series. It will delight fans of the series to learn that this book focuses on Emmett’s journey. As the youngest Noughton brother, he’s often overlooked and not taken seriously, using humor to cope with his emotional pain. His true potential went unrecognized, even by his brothers, who dismissed his lucrative business proposal for the ranch as another one of his antics. However, it was the woman he never anticipated falling for who saw the value in his plans for the ranch. She saw past his antics, recognizing a man with a vision who was worthy of love.
Briar, the protagonist’s sister from the first book, came home to heal from heartbreak and straighten out her life. She’s not in the market for a new relationship; her life is already complex enough, and a new man would only complicate things further. Top of her to-do list is steering clear of her high school crush, which shouldn’t be hard since she despises him. But destiny had different ideas, that resulted in them becoming roommates, much to her sister’s chagrin. As they spent more time together, they formed a connection that evolved from mere cohabitation to a romantic partnership.
They made an adorable couple. Emmett became the person Briar could rely on; he had her back. He supported her in every way, through simple and complex situations alike. He stood by her, even keeping her secret about the real reason she returned to Willow Creek. She believed in him, even when his own brothers did not. She worked with him, helping him to create the foundation for making his dreams a reality.
I enjoyed “The One I Didn’t See Coming” as it struck the perfect balance between romance, humor, and heartfelt moments. Overall, it’s a compelling read that culminates in a satisfying happily-ever-after, sure to delight enthusiasts of small-town romance.
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- 2024 COYER Summer Challenge