When Cole returns to Deep Haven, the last thing Megan expects is for him to try to evict her from her apartment. But that’s exactly what happened. Cole has a plan for his life and to fulfill his dream, he needs to get rid of his grandfather’s house and the tenant living in the apartment. Still the One by Susan May Warren and Rachel D. Russell kicks off a brand new series of Deep Haven books.
My Review of Still the One
I enjoyed the unfolding of Megan and Cole’s story. They were many layers to peel back as both characters had been hurt in the past and were telling themselves some pretty big lies.
The Characters in Still the One
Megan was a relatable character, she struggled to believe God loved her and she had trouble trusting Him, don’t we all have moments like that? I liked seeing her grow in her relationship with Him even as she learned to let go of some of the lies she believed.
Cole had an intrinsic need to help others but he couldn’t always see that sometimes he needed to trust God with his problems. Like Megan, he had to find his way back to God and it was fun to watch.
I loved the secondary characters in Still the One. Megan had a great group of friends who rallied around her and supported her. Even Cole who hadn’t lived in Deep Haven for years, was able to pick up the relationships he had had as a teenager.
I liked the small town feel of the characters. They were close without being nosy or mean-spirited.
The Themes in Still the One
The main characters in Still the One struggled to believe they were loved or could be loved. Megan tried to earn love whereas Cole basically told himself it was pointless so what’s the use.
There was also a strong theme of forgiveness. How do you forgive someone who can’t apologize? Cole had to come to understand that he needed to forgive his grandfather so he could move on with his life.
Still the One is the first full-length novel in the new Deep Haven collection. While I haven’t read many of the original books, I can understand why readers are drawn back to the characters.
The community is close knit and seems to rally around its members. Many of the characters in Still the One seem to be old favorites from the original Deep Haven novels with hints at their stories.
Still the One would be a great read for anyone who loved the original Deep Haven novels or anyone who enjoys a sweet romance with strong faith elements. I received an advanced reader’s copy from the publishers through Just Read Tours; a positive review was not required.
Purchase Still the One: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
About Still the One (Deep Haven Collection Book 1)
The last thing he wants to do is return home.
Cole Barrett, former Army Ranger, has a new mission objective. Sell his grandfather’s house and put Deep Haven in his rearview mirror as fast as possible. Deep Haven holds the hurts of physical abuse at the hands of his grandfather, a man now in a memory care facility with dementia. 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.
She’s waited years for her first love to return.
Wedding planner and single mom Megan Carter is no stranger to 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 enough money 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. After using part of her intended down payment to cover his hockey fees, she’s behind on her Black Spruce funds and only has thirty days to come up with four thousand dollars.
Still, she’s oh, so close…until her childhood friend-slash-crush, Cole Barrett, returns to Deep Haven. Unfortunately, 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.
Maybe it’s never too late to finish a love story…
When a blizzard strikes Deep Haven, and Megan is overrun with wedding catastrophes, it takes a former Ranger to step in and help. But 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.
About the Authors:
Susan May Warren is the USA Today best-selling novelist of 80 books. With more than 1.5 million books in print, she is beloved by reviewers and readers around the world. Visit Susan at www.susanmaywarren.com.
Rachel D. Russell is a member of Oregon Christian Writers and My Book Therapy’s Novel Academy, and is a regular contributor to the Learn How to Write a Novel blog. The mother of two teenagers, she often interrogates her husband on his own military and law enforcement experience to craft believable heroes in uniform.
The rest of her time is spent cantering her horse down the Oregon trails. Visit Rachel at www.racheldrussell.com.
You may also like: