Still the One

Authors: Susan May Warren/Rachel D. Russell
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Series: Deep Haven Collection #1
Release Date: January 12, 2021

It’s never too late to finish a love story…

Cole Barrett, former Army Ranger, has a new mission objective. Sell his grandfather’s house and put Deep Haven, a place that holds too many hurts, in his rearview mirror as fast as possible. Recently divorced, single, and unattached, Cole just wants a new life as a US Marshal. One where he can forget the past and start new.

Unfortunately, there’s a tenant in the garage apartment who’s refusing to move. Even worse? It’s his childhood crush, Megan Carter, and her son.

Wedding planner and single mom Megan Carter loves Deep Haven. To her, it’s the place where she makes dreams come true—at least, everyone else’s. Her big dream is to purchase the Black Spruce Bed & Breakfast to turn it into a premier event venue and, if she can stay booked for enough weddings over winter, she’ll have the needed funds to buy the inn, move out of Grandpa Barrett’s garage apartment, and finally give her nine-year-old son, Josh, the life he deserves. She just needs four thousand dollars in the next thirty days.
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Still, she’s oh, so close…until Cole Barrett returns to Deep Haven. Even if he’s not back to fulfill a silly childhood promise to marry her, but she never expected him to evict her! The last thing she needs is more expenses. Or for another man to walk into her heart…and break it.

When a blizzard strikes Deep Haven, and Megan is overrun with wedding catastrophes, it takes a former Ranger to step in and help. Besides, the more he comes to her rescue, the sooner she’ll be able to move out…and he can move on. And that’s what they both want, right?

Return to Deep Haven with this magical tale about the one who got away…and came back.

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Reviewer: Gee Dixon

This book was very good and I look forward to more in this series coming out. It was a nice inspirational small town. Cole has a forgiveness to accomplish and Megan must deal with her heart. Josh, her son is one of my favorite characters in the book.  I know what it is like to be raised by a single mom but Josh accepts it from the beginning.

I received this eBook courtesy of Sunrise Publishing through Interviews & Reviews.

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Reviewer: Mindy Houng

“Forgiveness isn’t about justice. It’s about freedom. Forgiveness doesn’t negate justice. It simply puts it in the hands of God, where it belongs. Allows you the ability to move on.”

What a delightful debut by Rachel D. Russell. If you’ve been a fan of Susan May Warren’s Deep Haven novels, you’ll love the addition of Cole into the mix of this tightly knit small-town community. Even if you’ve never read any of the Deep Haven novels, Still the One is an excellent place to start to meet the wonderful people who habit this tourist town in Minnesota.

Megan is a single mom and a wedding coordinator extraordinaire who’s only wanted to feel loved and treasured. Cole is her childhood friend who’s been through tough circumstances personally and professionally. When he returns to Deep Haven to sell his grandfather’s home, old feelings flame to life as insecurities wrestle for first place against their pull toward each other. Forgiveness and redemption from past mistakes are two major themes in the story that are heart-stirring and encouraging.

And for those who’ve been faithful followers of Susan May Warren, there are plenty of appearances of her beloved characters from the Deep Haven series and others.

If you enjoy beautifully written contemporary romance, you will totally love this book. I’m so looking forward to other Deep Haven novels by up-and-coming authors.

I received a copy of the book from Sunrise Publishing and was under no obligation to post a positive review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.

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Reviewer: Anna Bottoms

Still The One keeps the overall small town charm of Deep Haven, reconnecting me with some of my favorite characters, introducing me to new ones, and lending a new voice to the community.

When Cole returns to Deep Haven his intent is to stay for the shortest time possible, but circumstances have a way of changing the best laid plans.

Megan is used to disappointment, as a single mother with a son to raise she has to depend on herself. Cole’s arrival shakes things up, testing her trust in herself and others.

Cole and Megan are well rounded characters and I was immediately drawn into their story. Each had to find a way out of deep wounds to the healing power of forgiveness. 

Sometimes when we don’t understand the things that are happening around us we find that God knows exactly what He’s doing.

This story was woven together flawlessly and I loved the way the side characters brought depth to the story. I recommend this book and I’m looking forward to more additions to the Deep Haven saga.

I was given a copy of this book courtesy of Sunrise Publishing through Interviews & Reviews and this is my honest review.

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