I loved this book! I really enjoyed that it wasn’t just the positive happy parts of a relationship. It was such a good second chance romance story because it showed the forgiveness, effort and compromise it takes to make a real relationship work.

Quick Summary: A "serendipitous moment" romance

My Review: Still the One by Aimee Brown is a 2024 romance from Boldwood Books.

About the Book:"Eve Cassidy thought Guy Foster was the only man she would ever love. Theirs was a whirlwind romance and marriage - until it all ended in tears..."

A love gone right until it goes wrong story, this book was everything. It was about young love, life choices, and growing up in matters of the heart. It was regret and forgiveness. It was friendship and transparency. It was the messiness of love and the beauty of reconciliation. It was sweetness, in the best ways.

My Favorite Quotes:

"It’s funny how memories never truly fade, isn’t it? They linger in the corners of our minds, waiting for a moment of weakness to resurface."

"some connections are just too strong to sever..."

"Marriage is a shimmering vision, like a mirage in a desert. It’s a path that is seen clearly only by two people and appears to glow with the light of love, leading to an unknown yet exciting lifelong destination with your best friend."

"It’s a dance between two souls, a language spoken without words, a feeling that consumes every fiber of your being."

"...part of me has always longed for you."

"Love is enough."

My Favorite Scenes (coded, so as to avoid spoilers):

- The 25th Anniversary Wedding Surprise

- Go for the Throat!

- Kiss Me Once, Kiss Me Twice

- Walking Away

- Facing Your Future

My Special Takeaway: Love can overcome anything, if hearts are willing.

My Final Say: I walked away from this beautiful story of love with a happy smile. It was a "timing is everything" kind of romance.

Other: Readers who enjoy simple stories where time, growth, and maturity lead to a forever love will adore this novel.

Rating: 4.25/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A
Status/Level: 🍬
Keeper: Yes

Sincere appreciation is extended to the author, to the publisher (Boldwood Books), and to NetGalley. Thank you for granting access to a digital ARC of this title in exchange for an honest critique. The words I have shared are my own.

A super-sweet second chance where nurse Eve encounters her ex-FMX rider husband, Foster, when he appears in her hospital after a traumatic injury. The flashbacks to the marriage were some of my favorite parts of the story, and Phil is literally my favorite person in the world.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

*Still the One* by Aimee Brown is a cute, easy read, but a little predictable. The story is about Eve and Foster reconnecting after years apart, and while there’s definitely some great chemistry between them, the plot feels pretty familiar and doesn't dive as deep as it could. The writing is engaging enough to keep you turning pages, but some parts feel rushed or underdeveloped. Overall, it’s a sweet second-chance romance that fans of the genre will probably enjoy, even if it doesn't do anything super original.

3.5 stars for some good scenes and good writing but overall I didn’t feel like it was a fully fleshed out book. It’s a great premise, but I don’t think it’s as good as it could have been due to the lack of substance when it came to moving the plot along fully. The characters were interesting, but it felt like they were one dimensional through most of the story. Had there been more backstory or more recourse after the big reveal I think it would have worked better. Don’t get me wrong, I would still read it and recommend it but had a bit more proof of the relationship been between the pages. You know, other than longing and not being able to speak to the person you are in love with.

3.5⭐
Genre ~ contemporary romance
Setting ~ Oregon
Publication date ~ November 26, 2024
Publisher ~ Boldwood Books
Est Page Count ~ 301 (34 chapters)
Audio length ~ 9 hours 2 minutes
Narrators ~ Jennifer Woodward, Josh Wichard
POV dual 1st person POV, present tense
Featuring ~ nurse, FMX professional rider, near death experience, forced proximity, super slow burner, second chance at love, age gap, no steamage

Eve (27) & Foster (35) had a whirlwind romance that only lasted a few months. Now 5 years later he ends up in her ER and she’s nursing him back to health in her tiny apartment.

I enjoyed the flashbacks which gave us an idea of what went wrong in their previous relationship. Having dual POV was a great choice, so we weren’t just hearing one side of the story. A bit of communication would have been nice because one of them has a secret that could end things before they fully get started again.

Overall, I liked the slow burn of them finding their way back to each other, but that burn was so slow that I was thinking they’d never reconcile. Of course we know they will because "he's still the one," and yes that song was stuck in my head every time I picked up this book.

Dnf at 30%

I really tried to persevere with this one, in the hopes that I might start to get into it, like the characters or even believe the story but I couldn't.

Maybe I've been watching too many medical programmes recently but I found everything in the hospital unbelievable. Every time it went to Foster's perspective and he was fighting the intubation whilst being in a medically induced coma, I facepalmed.

I could never get into the book because I was constantly frustrated. Maybe if these aren't details that bother others then they will get on with the book but it wasn't for me.

I fell in love with this story from the very first chapter!
Eve Cassidy and Guy Foster had a whirl wind romance four years ago and married within a month of meeting- and separated only a few months later.
When they mee5 again in the emergency room where Eve works, Guy has had a horrific motorcycle crash during one of his exhibition rides as a professional freestyle BMX rider.
As Guy recovers, I enjoyed finding out about his life and relationship with Eve. Alternating chapters between Guy and Eve not only enabled their thoughts and emotions to be understood, but also gave an insight 8n to why their relationship failed in the first place.
The tension between the two characters was maintained throughout, with many reasons given to walk away or reunite.
Some fun characters lessened the tension, say no more about pink Lycra!
A fun read, don’t miss it.

The fact that, even though I barely tolerate second chance romances, i did enjoy it and got emotional a few times should be a feat. I liked the characters, flawed with a lot of baggage but still trying to understand each other’s take, filled with yearning, regrets and what ifs. The premise was appreciable. I had tears in my eyes at the airport scene, it was heartbreaking and vulnerable.

‘Maybe we needed to lose ourselves before we could truly find each other?’


I wish the flashback scenes were more in depth. I felt the void of the circumstances after their wedding when things actually got downhill. The emotions were superficial, i expected more character development after their separation but even after five years, they still made the same mistakes. Also the way it was presented as “deliciously hot romance” for the fans of Abby Jimenez was misleading to some extent.

If you are looking for a quick, easy written and one sitting read with no spice, this book is for you.
Thank you Netgalley and BoldWood Books for the ARC copy.

Tropes:
☞Second-chance
☞Nurse x patient
☞Slow-burn

#netgalley #stilltheone

Still The One written by Aimee Brown was the most beautiful second chance at love novel I have ever read. When I saw that gorgeous hot pink cover and then I read that this book was PERFECT FOR FANS OF EMILY HENRY, I knew I had to get my hands on it immediately. Despite this book being super clean, with no spice added, I still adored this book so much even though I do prefer some steamage, but that's completely okay because I was still left swooning and falling for fictional characters. I absolutely love how the author added POV's from when the characters first met and we got a glimpse into their earlier relationship and why their love story went downhill. I have never read a book by Aimee Brown before this one, but after falling in love with this story, you best believe I'm going to read this author's other books hopefully in the near future. While I was reading this novel, it felt like my heart was being ripped out of my chest and being torn into pieces, if you read this book you'll know why. I absolutely love when an author doesn't make their characters perfect, I love when they have flaws because it almost makes them seem real and relatable to me. I can't recommend this book enough, if you love second chances, forced proximity, slow burns, and deeply flawed characters, then look no further than Still The One written by Aimee Brown.

THANK YOU TO NETGALLEY AND BOLDWOOD BOOKS FOR AN ARC OF THIS BOOK IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW!!!!!!!!

"Marrying a woman thirty days after you meet is extreme".

"I have never met a box of doughnuts a man didn't devour on his own".

"I'm counting on you to show me all the hidden gems only a true Portlander would know".

"Marriage is not just a legal union, but a promise to stand together through all the storms and sunshine life may bring".

Eve Cassidy is a trauma nurse at Oregon Health and Science University. Eve and her husband Foster got married just thirty days after meeting each other. Eve and Foster thought they would spend the rest of their lives with each other, but five years ago Foster broke Eve's heart into a million pieces and left Eve questioning everything she thought she knew about love and trust, but meanwhile Foster is harboring a big secret of his own. Every year on September 27th, their anniversary of getting married, Eve and Foster play a silent game of "you still alive" on Facebook with a thumbs-up making sure they are both still alive even though they are now divorced. Guy Foster who goes by Foster because he doesn't want to be called Guy is a motocross and freestyle motocross rider also known as FMX since he was just a little kid, won his first trophy at the age of four, won his first big title at the age of fifteen. Foster is an adrenaline junkie, he loves the smell of gasoline and engine oil. One day, Foster is in a motorcycle accident while trying to do a stunt in front of thousands of fans at the track, Foster is unresponsive, he required intubation on scene due to severe respiratory distress after not landing one of his stunts and had a forty to fifty foot fall. I even wanted to reach into my kindle and squeeze Foster's hand letting him know everything will be okay.

When Foster comes in by ambulance, Eve is working the trauma ward that day. Despite working as a trauma nurse, nothing really freaks Eve out, but seeing Foster that day truly broke Eve. Despite being divorced, Eve decides to care for Foster while he's in the hospital because he's all alone. Eve was Foster's emergency contact at the racetrack even after being divorced because Eve has always been Foster's constant no matter what happened between them. After being discharged from the hospital, Eve offers to move Foster into her tiny one bedroom apartment while he recovers and heals because he's going to need around the clock care because he can't fly home to Florida and no one is there to keep a watchful eye on him except for Eve. Foster and Eve both have a matching hot pink tiny heart tattoo under their right thumbs. As Foster recovered, I loved watching him and Eve grow from their mistakes and actually talk about what went wrong in their relationship. The vulnerability they shared with each other was truly beautiful. "I miss the way we used to be before everything got so complicated". This was just one moment where Eve and Foster were vulnerable with each other that brought tears to my eyes. I absolutely adored the banter between Eve and Foster, ugh they were just the cutest ever.

🤍Book review 🤍

Still The One
by Aimee Brown

Still The One by Aimee Brown is a heartwarming second-chance romance that ticks all the right boxes. Eve, an ER nurse, finds herself face-to-face with her ex-husband, Foster, after his motorcycle accident. Five years after their whirlwind romance and painful breakup, their unexpected reunion forces them to confront old feelings. With Foster moving into Eve’s small apartment to recover, their close proximity sparks humor, tension, and heartfelt moments.
Told through dual POVs, the story beautifully captures their journey of self-discovery and growth. Flashbacks offer glimpses of their past, while witty banter keeps the tone light and engaging. Foster’s unwavering belief in fate and their connection is touching, and Eve’s struggle to open her heart again feels authentic.
This slow-burn romance delivers all the feels, with relatable characters and a satisfying, sweet ending. Perfect for fans of forced proximity, second chances and closed door romance.
Very grateful to the publisher for my copy through NetGalley, opinions are my own

Still The One by Aimee Brown

⭐️ 4/5 | 🌶️ 0/5

Eve Cassidy, an ER Trauma Nurse in Oregon, had a whirlwind romance with Florida Freestyle Motocross Bike Rider, Guy Foster. After a couple months of marriage, they part ways with unresolved feelings. Five years later, Foster ends up in Eve’s ER, after a motorcycle accident. Eve finds out she’s still listed as his next of kin & stays by his bedside until he wakes from surgery. Restricted from traveling, Eve agrees to have Foster move into her apartment & help nurse him back to health.

Tropes:
He Falls First
Second Chance
Forced Proximity
Slow Burn
Closed Door
Dual POV

This second chance romance captured my attention from the beginning. I love the dual POVs, the flashbacks and the banter! Foster has always believed in fate & their journey back to each other is full of self discovery and growth. This was an enjoyable, quick read & I wouldn’t mind a sequel of one of their friends!

Thank you to Aimee Brown, Boldwood Books & NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

I had never heard of the author, and chose this book purely based on the blurb, and I am so glad I did. It was right up my street and kept me captivated until the end.

Eve and Foster had a whirlwind affair and married within a month. Unfortunately, they broke up almost just as quickly breaking both their hearts in the process. Foster rode motorbikes for a living, and spent his life travelling the world, and risking his neck on evermore dangerous stunts. Everyone knows the daredevil, handsome rider – or at least they thought they did. The two had no contact until Foster arrived, close to death in the ER of the hospital where Eve worked as a nurse. When Eve started to work on the seriously damaged biker, and realised who he was, her world, once again, tipped upside down.

This is a will they/won’t they love story, but so much more. Well written, with great characters. I really loved it.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7014279784
https://maddybooksblog.blogspot.com/2024/11/still-one-by-aimee-brown-i-had-never.html

I really enjoyed reading Still The One.
I loved the main characters, Eve and Foster. Their prior relationship had major issues so things ended for them.
A chance meeting has them reevaluating how they feel about each other.
Still The One was a fast, easy second chance romance read.
The authors writing style is solid and flows well.

Thank you NetGalley, Boldwood Books and the author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Still The One by Aimee Brown is a second chance romance between Eve and Foster that begins five years after their breakup. Eve is a nurse, and Foster is a professional FMX athlete who finds himself in her ER after a motorcycle accident. Eve is still listed as Foster’s emergency contact and the story follows them along as Foster recovers.

This forced proximity, slow burn romance is overall very cute. Brown writes how I think, with a main sentence (followed by an additional context thought in brackets); I personally found it familiar and fun. I will note that some of the dialogue/internal thoughts weren’t great - for example use of the term “manfended” made me physically cringe. I also usually don’t enjoy multiple POVs in a book, but Brown pulled it off very well.

Overall, if you find yourself enjoying the likes of Emily Henry, and are looking for a romance with some of your favourite tropes, this is the book for you.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the advance copy. All thoughts are mine.

Enemies to lovers
Second chances
Little to no spice
It’s a good book - cute rom com! Give it a chance! Thanks #netgalley for the early copy of #stilltheone

If you can accept the premise that a nurse from Portland would meet a motorcycle FMX star from Florida and fall in love and get married in a month and then she’d leave him after a couple of months when she realized that she was second to his cycling, you’ll enjoy this story. Then, five years later, he’d get badly injured in Portland and end up in her trauma emergency room. Then she helped him out and allowed him to stay in her apartment while she helped nurse him back to health.

It was clean second-chance romance and I always enjoy alternating POVs. They are clearly still in love with each other. They’re a sweet couple and I liked seeing their rekindled romance. I liked that Foster admitted his mistakes.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book that I received from Netgalley; however, the opinions are my own and I did not receive any compensation for my review.

‘Do you ever wonder if maybe we were always meant to find our way back to each other?’ Foster muses. ‘Like two ships passing in the night, destined to collide again and again because fate decided a long time ago they were meant to be.’ Can Foster and Eve’s romance survive after five years apart? They felt in love and married in less than a month but love wasn’t enough. Can they have a second chance when they path cross again and Eve help Foster heal after a tough bike accident? Full of emotions, feelings and true love.

I received a free copy of, Still The One, by Aimee Brown, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Eve Cassidy thought Guy Foster was the one, that's why she married him. Though they did end of divorcing him, she never forgot about him. This was a good read, I enjoyed the characters.

3.3 Stars
One Liner: enjoyable but has some loose ends

My Thoughts:
The premise is rather sweet, and I hoped for a heartwarming story. It is a sweet book, no doubt there. However, it doesn’t reach its full potential.
Eve and Foster are well-written. Since we get both POVs, we see their feelings for each other, their fears, their vulnerability, etc. I like that we never have to doubt Foster’s love for Eve. It is steady and unwavering from start to finish. Eve’s feelings are clear too though she is a bit more tentative and wary of commitment (the second time).
The flashbacks of the past are short yet detailed. Those they are not linear, it is easy to put the pieces together. What started as an insta-love ends up being something convincing by the end. However, I wish we had more scenes (at least 2 more) from the past.
Foster injuries make this a slow burn with no spice (not even in the past). I admit it’s a little disappointing but fine. The banter is childish and silly but fun too. I laughed and rolled my eyes at their flirting. It fits the character arcs.
I also like the medical and nursing part of the plot. The author’s professional experience blends the details into the storyline seamlessly. (This isn’t my field, I don’t know if something is incorrect)
The premise calls for extra depth to the narrative and some tears. However, the story doesn’t dig deep. Quite a few leads have been provided but have gone nowhere. Sustaining those would have made it better (the memory lapse part, the video, the annoying friend & sis, the lack of official documents which Eve didn’t seem to wonder about until the end, Eve’s other exes, etc.).
That said, the MCs do have good conversations and don’t try to hide their feelings (or confusion). Even if they messed up in the past, they try to fix things by being open about their current situation.
I tend to like the best friends more in this genre but I couldn’t really like Kait and Jess. Gen, Phil, and Matt are much better. I was glad when Eve stood her ground and set boundaries.
Don’t go into the book for the tropes, though. The forced proximity part is okay but the one-bed thing is not even an issue in a way. Read it as a clean second-chance romance (not really smoldering in there). It’s got a steady pace, so you can finish it in a couple of hours.
To summarize, Still The One is a good read about lovers finding their way back to each other after a painful separation. It could have been a lot better but should work if you want something light yet touching.
The author’s note throws a light on some of the whys, but I wish the editors worked a little more on the inconsistencies to iron out the wrinkles.
Thank you, NetGalley and Boldwood Books, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.