The One I Left Behind
-
-
3.9 • 14 Ratings
-
-
- $16.99
Publisher Description
It’s the classic story—boy goes off into the world to fulfill his dreams and leaves the girl behind.
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.
APPLE BOOKS REVIEW
With the smoothness of buttercream frosting, Piper Rayne’s novel turns a small-town homecoming into a romance that’s as hot as it is sweet. When former professional football player Ben Noughton returns to his Nebraska hometown and his family’s ranch, there’s one variable that he can’t control: facing his high school girlfriend Gillian. Even though the sparks are still there, trying to jump-start a long-dead romance takes even more dedication than being a world-class athlete. Rayne surrounds the couple with memorable small-town characters, including Ben’s father and brothers, building a world that would make anyone want to stay. We especially loved the complication presented by Gillian’s surly teenage son, Clayton. And the quaint setting doesn’t stop Rayne from turning the sensual heat up to sizzling. Trading off the narration, CJ Bloom and Robert Hatchet each bring their own brand of quiet passion to the fast-moving love story. The One I Left Behind is a romance worth running home to.
Customer Reviews
Small town, football romance 🏈🤍🤠✨
Some of the best tropes packed into one book; single-mom, second chance, and small town!!! I loved the family vibes in this and cannot wait for the rest of the Noughton brothers; especially Emmett!!!
Gillian was the best mom who truly put everything aside to make sure her son had whatever he needed. She was heartbroken watching the love of her life live his dreams, but never once had doubts about the life she was making for her and her son. Ben always knew something was missing and it was like everything just clicked when he finally came home and saw Gillian again.
I do wish we got more groveling from Ben and more of an effort on his part to make a relationship with Clay. Hopefully we can see it develop throughout the series though 🫶🏻
Thank you to Valentine PR and Piper Rayne for an arc/alc copy 🤍
He was worth a second chance
Second chance
Small town
Sports
Ranch setting
He falls first
Going home again
Single parent
Audio review
Narrator: CJ Bloom, Robert Hatchet
Once again, a great job by the narrators. Easy to follow and added personality and emotion to the characters.
In a lot of cases tern love does not survive adulthood.
Ben and Gillian thought they would be the exception. They were not. Ben went off to college and the NFL. Gillian stayed back in the home town. He gets a bit of grace for being young. We later learned he struggled with being away and got caught up. His dad ( who I loved) had to get him back on track.
Now he is back but things are different. Gillian has a teenage son and neither wants anything to do with Ben. He has a lot of making up to do. Gillian was heartbroken when they broke up. She spiraled, hit with the wrong man and got pregnant. She had spent years getting herself together and raising her son alone. She is about to pass the bar and hopefully find a job away from their small town.
Both Ben and Gillian needed a swift kick. Once they got on track things hit hot and heavy between them. Ben became the perfect, supportive man for Gillian. He was willing to do anything to be with her. They both learned to move on and forgive.
The story had great characters. You will cheer for Ben and Gillian to get the happy ever after. Daddy Noughton kept everyone straight and was a bit of a player. Absolutely loved him. The brothers will make wonderful stories too.
Book one will definitely make you anxious for the next story.
Super cute small town romance! 💘
4🌟 1.5🌶️
What’s not to love about a Piper Rayne book? There’s tension and angst, steam, meddling town people, and a love story you can swoon over.
This was obviously no exception. This is a second chance small town romance you definitely don’t want to miss out on!
Ben and Gillian start off as high school sweethearts, but then Ben is accepted into a college for football and he leaves their small town. Things happen while he’s away, and him and Gillian end up separating. But what happens 10 years later when Ben retires from the NFL, and returns home to their small town?? So much has happened in their time apart, but can these soulmates find a way back to each other?
I thought this book was really fun. It was lighthearted and there the perfect amount of everything to make this a really great love story. Ben and Gillian are just meant to be, it’s clear as day. Their story was adorable, and I loved that Ben wanted Gillian’s son to like him and accept him. He didn’t bulldoze his way in, just gave him the time he needed to be able to accept Ben into their lives.
Would it really be a Piper Rayne small town romance if it didn’t have meddling townspeople?? 😂😂 They’re always in everyone’s business and I find that hilarious. 😆
I listened to the audiobook for this, and it was fantastic. Robert Hatchet and CJ Bloom performed this in duet style, my favorite type of audiobook, and they both played their parts extremely well. Brought the characters to life with their voices. I loved it. 💖
Pick this up if you like any of the below tropes, you will not regret it!
🏈 football romance
🏘️ small town romance
🏈 childhood lovers
🏘️ second chance
🏈 single mom
🏘️ protective mmc