The One I Left Behind

Piper Rayne

May 2024 · Plain Daisy Ranch Book 1 · Piper Rayne Incorporated · Narrated by Robert Hatchet and CJ Bloom

About this audiobook

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.

Ratings and reviews

The One I Left Behind is a second chance, small town romance. It was a sweet and short read. I enjoyed listening to the audiobook. The narrators were easy to listen to, and I understood them very well. Having read the prequel, I had insight into Ben and Gillian's relationship. If you haven't read the prequel, I think you'll find their backstory a little lacking. Well, actually, it still felt a little bit lacking because their breakup story was underdeveloped. I find the other characters adorable. I can't wait for their stories. I hope it doesn't stop with Ben and his brothers.

Every time I say goodbye, I'm just waiting for the next hello. The One I Left Behind is a bittersweet heartache, in search of it's happily ever after. From the wonder of first love to the regret of heartbreak and the drama of a second chance. Rayne stirs up a host of deep emotion with Gillian and Ben. Love and life collide to create the most enduring of duets. A beautiful mess that hits all the right notes with the heart.

Ben and Gillian are a great way to start a new series by Piper Rayne. They have such good chemistry, and they're both lovable characters. Then we have the small town with its quirky characters, including the gossips who are only too happy to voice their opinions. As the blurb tells us, Ben left town and Gillian behind, so he's got a lot of making up to do. Then, there's Gillian, who has a secret those gossips can't resist.